Simplifying Life Insurance in India
Difference Between Maturity Benefit and Death Benefit Explained
Life insurance serves a dual purpose, offering financial protection not only in the event of death but also upon policy maturity.
Each one of us might have different objective while investing insurance. While those looking for just life insurance coverage will prefer policies with death benefits, others looking for savings may look for policies offering maturity benefits too.
Understanding the distinctions between maturity benefits and death benefits is vital in making well-informed decisions about your insurance coverage. Let’s explore the fundamental differences between maturity benefits and death benefits, ensuring that you have a comprehensive grasp of your insurance policy's multifaceted advantages.
What is Maturity Benefit?
A maturity benefit is the accumulated amount that a life insurance provider pays the policyholder if he/she survives the policy term. For example, if you have an insurance policy with a 15-year term, you will get a payout from this insurance after the policy matures.
Besides the sum assured, a life insurance policy can offer money back for the premiums you paid over the policy term and bonuses. This includes any guaranteed payments and terminal bonuses. However, you can only enjoy these insurance benefits after payment of all your instalments and completion of the term.
Some life insurance policies, including endowment plans and ULIPs, also have an investment component. Thus, maturity benefits can turn regular life insurance into saving instruments.
What Is a Death Benefit?
The death benefit is the sum assured by an insurance company to a beneficiary in case of unforeseen demise of an insured individual during the policy’s tenure. This is also one of a life insurance policy's most essential roles or advantages.
A death benefit provides a payout in lumpsum or regular income form, depending on the terms chosen by the policyholder when purchasing a policy. It is usually paid out within 30 days of filing a claim which ensures that the respective family does not face any financial crisis.
What are the Differences Between Maturity Benefits and Death Benefits?
| Parameter | Maturity Benefit | Death Benefit |
| Trigger Event | It is paid after the maturity of an insurance policy. | It is paid after the death of the insured person. |
| Who receives it | A maturity benefit is receivable by the insured person. | A death benefit is receivable by the beneficiary chosen by the insured person. |
| Mode of pay out | It might be paid out in lump sum or regular payouts, as mentioned in terms of a policy. | It is usually paid out to the beneficiary in a lump sum. |
| Applicability of bonuses | Bonuses applicable | No bonuses |
| Purpose | Typically used for long term financial goals, retirement, or wealth accumulation | Death benefit’s primary purpose if to provide immediate financial support to the dependent family in case of the policyholder’s death. |
| Policy Continuation | The policy terminates after the maturity benefit is paid | The policy, in certain kinds of plans as in child plans, may continue after the payment of death benefit. |
Now that you know the difference between maturity benefit and death benefit, you can choose a life insurance policy that best suits your financial needs. It is evident that maturity benefits are paid after a policy's maturity, while death benefits are paid to a beneficiary after the demise of an insured person. While term plans provide only death benefit, other life insurance policies come with both these benefits, which are useful and user-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between a Death Claim and a Maturity Claim?
What Happens After the Maturity of an Insurance Policy?
What is the Tax Deduction Available on Insurance Premiums?
Important Guides related to Life Insurance
Disclaimer
- This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
- All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
- Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.
