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Home, Health & Care Protection
Living Benefits: Life Insurance That Can Help While You Are Living
Policy features that may allow early access to part of the benefit after a qualifying serious illness.
What it is
Living Benefits in plain language.
Features, often added to a life insurance policy as riders, that may let the insured person access part of the death benefit early after a qualifying critical, chronic or terminal illness.
What it does not do
They are not health insurance or disability insurance, and they do not cover every illness. Each rider defines what qualifies.
Who might consider it
People who want their life insurance to be able to help during a serious illness, and not only after they are gone.
How it generally works
Living benefits are usually riders on a life insurance policy. If a qualifying condition is diagnosed, part of the death benefit may be paid early, sometimes with a fee or discount applied. Whatever is paid early reduces what beneficiaries receive.
Premiums and eligibility are set by the insurance carrier, usually based on factors such as age, health, the amount of coverage and the features of the policy. Some policies require a medical exam and others rely on health questions; requirements vary by carrier.
Worth knowing
Availability, qualifying conditions and costs vary by carrier, policy and state. Using these benefits reduces the amount paid to beneficiaries.
Common questions
Living Benefits: questions people ask.
Do all life insurance policies include living benefits?
No. Some policies include certain riders without an added premium, some offer them at an added cost, and some do not offer them at all.
What conditions qualify?
It depends on the rider. Typical categories are terminal, chronic and critical illness, each with definitions set by the carrier.
Does using a living benefit end my policy?
Not necessarily. It depends on the rider and how much is paid out. The remaining death benefit is reduced.
Have a question about living benefits that is not answered here?
Keep reading
Related solutions and guides.
Term Life
Coverage for a set period, often chosen for the years when a family depends most on an income.
Read the guide → SolutionLong-Term Care Planning
Insurance-based ways to prepare for the cost of extended care later in life.
Read the guide → ArticleWhat Are Living Benefits in Life Insurance?
Living benefits let some policyholders use part of a life insurance death benefit early after a qualifying illness. Here is how they work and where the limits are.
Read the article →Last updated November 2026. Reviewed by [Licensed reviewer name and credentials]. Product availability varies by state and carrier. All coverage is subject to carrier underwriting and approval; features, premiums, exclusions and riders depend on the specific policy. This page is general education, not a recommendation for your situation.
Important information. This page describes a type of insurance in general terms. It is not a description of any specific policy. Benefits, premiums, exclusions, limitations and riders depend on the policy issued and vary by carrier and state. Read the policy for full details. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Accelerated benefit riders are not health insurance, disability insurance or long-term care insurance. Riders may not be available on all policies or in all states and may carry an additional cost. Receiving an accelerated benefit reduces the death benefit, may be taxable, and may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Consult a tax advisor before making a claim. DNA Life & Legacy and its agents do not give tax or legal advice. Please consult your own tax or legal professional about your situation.
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