What is Income Benefit Rider in Term Life Insurance?

What is an Income Benefit Rider in Term Insurance?

How Does Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider Work?

An income benefit rider in term insurance, often added to annuity contracts, provides a guaranteed income stream for life, regardless of the annuity’s performance. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1
Additional Fee: You pay an extra fee in addition to your annuity premium. This fee is usually a percentage of the annuity’s value.
2
Guaranteed Income: In return, the insurance company guarantees a minimum annual withdrawal amount for your lifetime. This ensures you have a reliable income, even if the annuity’s value drops due to market conditions.
3
Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB): This benefit allows you to withdraw a percentage of your original investment annually for life, offering flexibility and control over withdrawals. 
4
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB): Guarantees a minimum income but requires you to annuities, or lock-in, the annuity to receive payments.
5
Benefit Base: The income is calculated based on a “benefit base,” which grows at a specified rate (e.g., 5-7%) during the deferral period. This base is used to determine your payout once you start receiving income.
6
Payout Rate: The payout rate is a percentage of the benefit base that you receive annually. This rate varies by insurance company and product.
7
Flexibility and Security: These riders provide financial security by ensuring you won’t outlive your savings and protect against market volatility.

Understanding Income Benefit Rider in Term Insurance with Illustration

Importance of Purchasing Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

An Income Benefit Rider can be a valuable addition to a term insurance policy, especially if the insured person is concerned about their family’s financial stability in their absence. Here are several reasons why you might consider adding this rider to your policy:

Income Benefit

If the insured person passes away during the policy term, this rider provides regular payments to the family. These payments help replace the lost income and ensure financial stability. 

Financial Security

This rider offers financial security to the insured person’s family by providing regular payments. This helps the family maintain their lifestyle and cover daily expenses even after the insured person’s death.

Economical Option

Adding this rider to a term insurance policy is cost-effective. It enhances the policy’s benefits at a relatively lower than those for the main policy, making it an affordable choice. Even with the small extra cost, it provides significant financial protection for your family.

Eliminates the Need for Multiple Policies

With this rider, you might not need multiple insurance policies. It extends the coverage of your term insurance, making it more comprehensive.

Features and Benefits of Income Benefit Rider in Term Insurance

Who Should Buy a Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider?

What are the Exclusions Associated with Income Benefit Rider in Term Insurance?

Eligibility Criteria for Buying Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

The major eligibility criteria for buying a term insurance with income benefit rider, most common across different insurers are:

Criteria Limit
Minimum Entry Age  18 Years 
Maximum Entry Age  65 Years
Maturity Age  Up to 75 Years 
Maximum Rider Sum Assured There is no limit, subject to satisfactory underwriting
Maximum Rider Policy Term Consistent with the base policy period 
Base Insurance Plan Must have a base insurance plan in place
Health Conditions Pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities are typically excluded 
Certification Disability must be certified by a registered medical practitioner 

Documents Required for Buying Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

To apply for a term insurance with income benefit rider, you typically need to provide the following documents:

Document Description
Application Form A fully completed and signed application form for the income benefit rider.
Proof of Identity
  • Aadhar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Voter ID
  • Driving Licence
Proof of Address
  • Utility Bills
  • Bank Statements
  • Rental Agreements to verify your address 
Base Insurance Policy The original or a copy of the base insurance policy to which the rider will be attached.
Medical Records Relevant medical records or health declarations required by the insurer.
Income Proof
  • Salary Slips
  • Bank Statements
  • Income Tax Returns
Photographs Recent passport-sized photographs as required by the insurer. 

Note: Depending on the insurer's requirements, each section requires one or two documents as proof for an income benefit rider.

Steps to Add Income Benefit Rider in Term Insurance

Step 1

Compare and look for term insurance policies that offer an Income Benefit Rider.

Step 2

Use online tools or contact insurance providers to get quotes for term insurance with the Income Benefit Rider included.

Step 3

When filling out the term insurance application, select the option to add the Income Benefit Rider.

Step 4

Complete the application with your personal, medical, and financial information.

Step 5

Carefully review the policy details, sign the application and submit it with any required documents.

Step 6

Pay the initial premium to activate your policy and the Income Benefit Rider.

Step 7

After processing, you will receive confirmation from the insurer that your policy, including the Income Benefit Rider, is active.

Factors to Consider When Buying Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

While evaluating to add an Income Benefit Rider to your term insurance policy, it's important to weigh a few crucial factors to ensure it meets your needs effectively.

Premium

Consider the premium cost to determine if it fits within your budget without compromising other financial obligations.

Coverage Amount

Assess the coverage amount. Ensure it provides sufficient financial protection to your beneficiaries in case of your demise due to an unforeseen event.

Coverage Details

Understanding the coverage, the circumstances that are covered under the rider can help you gauge its usefulness in your personal situation.

Exclusions

Knowing about exclusions is highly important so that you are aware what conditions are not covered by your insurance.

Coverage Duration

Another critical aspect, the coverage duration should be aligned with your long-term financial planning and insurance needs. 

Insurer’s Credibility

Choose a credible insurer. Thus, you can be confident about the insurer's ability to fulfil their financial obligations when a claim is made.

How to Claim Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider?

Documents Required for Claiming Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

The major documents required for claiming term insurance with income benefit rider are:

Documents List
Death Certificate An official document issued by the government that certifies the date, location, and cause of a person's death. It's a primary document needed for the claim.
Medical Records These include hospital records, doctor's notes, and any medical tests conducted, which provide evidence of the medical treatment before death.
Police Reports For the accident involving a legal investigation, a copy of the police report is required to confirm the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Insurance Policy The original copy of the insurance policy document is needed to verify the coverage and terms of the benefit rider.
Claim Form A fully completed and signed claim form, as provided by the insurance company, is essential to process the claim. 
KYC Documents of Beneficiary Proof of identity (Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voters ID) and address of the beneficiary, along with the bank details are required to ensure the benefit is paid to the rightful person.

FAQs about Term Insurance with Income Benefit Rider

Is the income benefit rider only available for term life insurance policies?

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No, if offered by the insurer, the income benefit rider can be added to any life insurance policy.

What is the benefit period for an income benefit rider in term insurance?

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The benefit period for an income benefit rider is the period during which it provides income. It varies depending on the policy and the rider. Generally, it is decided at the inception of the policy and ranges from two to five years, but some policies may offer benefits for up to 10 years.

Can I cancel the income benefit rider in term insurance?

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Yes, you can cancel the income benefit rider at any time. However, if you cancel the rider, you may lose the benefits associated with it.

Does the term insurance with income benefit rider have a waiting period?

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Yes, the income benefit rider may have a waiting period before the benefits are paid. However, it depends on the insurer, and some of them might not have it. The waiting period varies depending on the policy and the rider, but it is generally 90 days.

Can the income benefit rider be added to a group life insurance policy?

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It depends on the policy, the employer, and the insurance company. Since the employer funds a group policy, some might have restrictions on adding riders to it. However, a few others might give the option to add riders.  

Who gets the family income benefit rider benefit if the life insured passes away in an accident?

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As with other insurance policies, the nominee gets the family income rider benefit in case the insured passes away.

Does the family income benefit rider allow coverage if the base policy is discontinued?

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The Family Income Benefit is a rider attached to the base policy. Hence, if the base policy is discontinued, the rider is also discontinued.

If the life insured passes away after becoming disabled, will the Family Income Benefit cover provide additional benefits?

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No, the income benefit rider pays on disability and is terminated after that. So, if the insured passes after the disability, the rider does not pay any extra benefit.

Can I increase or decrease the term insurance coverage with income benefit rider?

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Yes, you can typically adjust the coverage of an income benefit rider. Subject to your insurer's terms and conditions, you can make changes to your rider like modify the coverage, add additional features etc.

Does term insurance with income benefit rider cover only “on-the-job" injuries?

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No, income benefit riders usually cover both on and off-the-job injuries, thus providing you with a larger coverage. However, the specifics may vary by policy and insurer.

Is it necessary to add an income benefit rider to my term insurance policies?

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Adding an income benefit rider depends on your financial security needs and risk tolerance. It's an optional rider, not mandatory but it can be beneficial.

What is the minimum income benefit rider in term insurance?

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A minimum income benefit rider, often found in annuity contracts, guarantees that the policyholder will receive a minimum income level, regardless of market conditions. This rider ensures a steady income stream, even if the investments within the annuity perform poorly.

Disclaimer

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  • 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.

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