Survival Benefit Meaning in Term Life Insurance Policy- A detailed Guide

term life insurance policies work as a savior for families in the event of sudden demise of the head earning member. But, do you know what happens if the policyholder survives the policy term? Let’s find out.

Term life insurance policy is a product that allows financial coverage to the insured for a specific time period as per the term of the policy. If the insured dies during such time, the family of the policyholder is paid death benefit by the insurer. However, what if the insured outlives the policy term? Does he receive any survival benefit? Or does he lose his entire money paid as premiums? Let’s take an example to understand this.

Suppose you bought a term insurance plan to secure your family against uncertainties of life in the event of your sudden and untimely demise. However, luckily you survived the term of the plan and outlived the policy. So, now you are worried about your money. Will you get any survival benefit on your policy or you have wasted your money on the plan.  The answer is, you will receive money in case you have bought a plan with return of premium option. Let’s understand this in detail below.

What is Survival Benefit meaning?

As indicated by the name itself, survival benefit is the monetary benefit received by the insured at the end of a policy term under the best term insurance plans. However, in this case the policy has to be a return of premium plan under which the policyholder is allowed survival benefits at maturity if he/she outlives the policy tenure. Survival benefit is not generally offered under the normal term plans as they are available only with return of premium plans.

4 Advantages Availed by Buying Term Insurance with Survival Benefits

Below are some advantages of availing term plans with survival benefits:

1. A term plan with survival benefits will offer survival or maturity benefits to the insured at the end of the term if the policyholder outlives the plan.
2. In case the policyholder dies during the term of the policy, a death benefit is offered to the nominee of the policyholder. This benefit help in supporting the monetary needs of the family and the dependent of the deceased.
3. Term plans with survival benefits also allow the policyholder to save money on taxes under section 80C of India’s Income Tax Act, 1961. So, a policyholder can seek tax deductions on all premiums being paid by the insured.
4. In addition to the above, these plans allow other optional benefits such as critical illness, accidental death, disability and so on.

Top 10 Features of Term Insurance with Survival Benefits

Here are some features of term plans with survival benefit:

1. Survival benefit is due under a policy if the policyholder buys the plan at a within the minimum and maximum entry age of the plan which is 18 years and 65 years respectively
2. Most of the best insurance plans with survival benefits allow a 15 to 30 days period of free-lock during which the insured can leave the policy or look for other plans
3. The minimum policy tenure of a term plan with survival benefits is 5 years, while the maximum policy term is over 30 to 35 years.
4. Term plans with survival benefits allow much flexibility as you can choose a plan that is single-life or joint life insurance plan
5. The policyholder needs to pay the premium of survival benefits depending on the sum assured and the insured’s age
6. The sum assured of a policy depends on the insurance company as different policy providers offer different sum assured depending on policy terms and conditions
7. Every term insurance plan with survival benefit allow a grace Period of 15 to 30 days to renew the policy after the expiry of the plan
8. The term plans with survival benefits come with a maturity age ranging from 25 years to 65 – 75 years. This differs as per the particular policy as well as the insurance company
9. The term plans with survival benefits allow policy coverage in the form of death benefit and maturity benefit
10. These plans are easy to revive if the procedure is done during the revival period of the policy

Best way to choose the Right Term Life Insurance plan with Survival Benefits

The market is flooded with insurance companies offering term plans with survival benefits. Hence, it is important to carry on a research of the plans that are available.  Further, you should understand the plans and their features properly before buying them. Buy a plan only when you are sure about it in terms of financial security. Also, do read the terms and conditions of the plan that you want to buy.

Top 5 Plans Offering Survival Benefits:

Here are some best Insurance plans offering Survival Benefits:

1. AEGON Life iReturn Insurance Plan – This plan returns all the paid premiums if the policyholder outlives the plan.
2. Tata AIA Life Insurance iRaksha TROP – This term insurance policy returns the entire premium amount in case the insured outlives the policy term.
3. ICICI Prudential Life Guard Return of Premium – Here again, the policyholder is offered total amount paid as premiums at maturity.
4. Aviva iShield Plan – This plan pays 110% of the survival benefit to the policyholder at the end of the policy term .
5. Shriram Life Cash Back Term Plan – Even in this case, the policy returns the premium amount at maturity of the policy.