what is a death benefit 
a death benefit is a payment made to a beneficiary of a contract such as a life insurance policy after the insured person dies it may also be paid as a result of an annuity or pension with life insurance the amount of the death benefit is set in the terms of the contract and is chosen by the policyholder who makes regular premium payments the amount of the premium payments will increase as the amount of the death benefit increases generally the younger and healthier you are the lower your premiums buying a life insurance policy with a death benefit can provide peace of mind that your loved ones will receive financial support after your death types of death benefitstypes of death benefits with insurance policies include all cause death benefits accidental death benefits adb and accidental death and dismemberment benefits addb let s look at each type of death benefit in more detail 