Access policy funds early if diagnosed with a qualifying illness — without dying first.
Living Benefits
What are Living Benefits?
Modern life insurance isn't just a death benefit anymore. Living Benefits are policy features — often available as riders — that may allow you to access a portion of your policy's face amount while you're still alive, if you're diagnosed with a qualifying critical, chronic, or terminal illness.
The benefit is typically paid as a cash payment to help cover medical bills, replace lost income, or pay for specialized care. Specific qualifying conditions, benefit amounts, and rider availability vary by carrier and policy.
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Available as riders on many term, whole, and indexed universal life policies.
Why consider Living Benefits?
Living Benefits may help families facing a serious health event — providing cash to cover medical bills, replace lost income, or fund the care decisions you actually want to make.
Built for three scenarios
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Critical Illness: access funds if you experience a qualifying event like a heart attack, stroke, or invasive cancer.
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Chronic Illness: access funds if you can no longer perform certain daily activities or require cognitive care.
Built for flexibility
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Terminal Illness Acceleration: early payout if you're diagnosed with a life-limiting condition.
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No restrictions on use: funds may be used for treatments, mortgage, family expenses — wherever needed.
Designed for the unexpected
Life insurance with Living Benefits is designed around a simple idea: your policy should work for you whether you die too soon, live too long, or get sick along the way.
Critical Illness Access
Chronic Illness Support
Terminal Illness Acceleration
LIVING BENEFITS
Designed for the unexpected
Life insurance with Living Benefits is designed around a simple idea: your policy should work for you whether you die too soon, live too long, or get sick along the way.
Critical Illness Access
Access policy funds if you experience a qualifying event like a heart attack, stroke, or invasive cancer.
Chronic Illness Support
Access funds if you're unable to perform daily living activities or require cognitive care, per carrier guidelines.
Terminal Illness Acceleration
Early payout if you receive a life-limiting diagnosis, helping you manage final wishes and care decisions.
LIVING BENEFITS
Built into your existing policy
Living Benefits are typically available as riders on Term, Whole Life, and Indexed Universal Life policies. Adding them is often low-cost or no-cost — but availability and specific terms vary widely by carrier.
Flexible Use of Funds
Once accessed, funds may be used however you see fit — medical bills, lost income, family expenses, mortgage payments.
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No restrictions on how you spend the benefit.
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Funds may be used for experimental treatments not covered by insurance.
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Pay for in-home care, family support, or peace of mind.
Preserves Your Other Assets
Accessing Living Benefits may help protect your retirement savings and other assets from being drained by unexpected medical costs.
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Keep your 401(k) or IRA intact during a health event.
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Avoid liquidating long-term investments at the wrong time.
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Maintain your financial plan even through a major diagnosis.
LIVING BENEFITS
Is a Living Benefits policy right for you?
Living Benefits may be a fit if you want your life insurance policy to provide value across multiple scenarios — not just in the case of your passing.
A policy that works while you're alive
Living Benefits transform life insurance from a single-purpose tool into something that may support you through critical, chronic, or terminal events — not just provide for your family afterward.
Carrier-specific terms
Qualifying conditions, benefit percentages, and access mechanisms vary widely by carrier. We help you compare to find a policy whose Living Benefits structure fits your situation.
Often available at no extra premium
Many policies include Living Benefits riders at no additional cost. Others charge a small rider fee. We'll show you the trade-offs at quote time.
TALK TO BRYAN
Let's talk about Living Benefits
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LIVING BENEFITS FAQS
Frequently asked questions
What are 'Living Benefits'?
Living Benefits are policy features that may allow you to access a portion of your policy's death benefit while still alive — if you're diagnosed with a qualifying critical, chronic, or terminal illness. It's insurance you don't have to die to use.
Which policies offer Living Benefits?
Living Benefits are typically available as riders on Term, Whole Life, Indexed Universal Life, and some Mortgage Protection policies. Availability and terms vary by carrier.
How much can I access through Living Benefits?
Most carriers allow access to a percentage of the policy's face amount — often 25% to 90%, depending on the diagnosis and carrier-specific limits. The remaining benefit is paid to your beneficiary upon your passing.
Is there an extra cost for Living Benefits riders?
Some policies include Living Benefits at no extra premium; others charge a small rider fee. We'll compare options so you can see the trade-offs.
What qualifies as a 'Critical Illness'?
Common qualifying conditions include heart attack, stroke, invasive cancer, kidney failure, and major organ transplant. Specific conditions and severity definitions vary by carrier.
Can I add Living Benefits to my existing policy?
It depends on the carrier and the existing policy. We can review your current coverage and tell you whether adding riders is possible or whether a new policy would be a better fit.
