death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased

Examples of death benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, rather than preserving a certain portion of an investment portfolio specifically for heirs, retirees may be able to rely on a life insurance death benefit to provide an inheritance. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Life insurance death benefits are generally received income-tax-free, although the ownership, funding and beneficiary arrangements must be properly structured. — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

If the death benefit isn't sufficient to compensate the grandchildren, the trust can provide them with a secured note, placing a lien on the family business, according to Fox. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Now, with companies buying up the policies and never missing a payment, insurance companies were paying out more death benefits. — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased as a benefit (as under a policy of life or accident insurance or a pension plan)

Note: The right to death benefits is generally terminated in cases of fraud, as when an insured commits suicide after purchasing a policy or when the beneficiary murders the insured.