An insured may qualify for accelerated benefits if they need the money for which of the following

How does an accelerated death benefit rider work?

If you develop a qualifying serious condition or terminal illness, you'll need to prove your condition to your insurer before being able to access your accelerated death benefit. Every insurer has different requirements, so make sure you understand which terminal illnesses or circumstances can qualify you. Some insurers may also allow it to be activated if you need to go into a nursing home or if you develop a critical or chronic condition.

Once your accelerated death benefit rider has been activated, you might be permitted to use anywhere from 25% to 100% of your death benefit while you're still alive, depending on your insurer and policy. You can typically use the payout for anything you want, from paying for an at-home nurse to covering travel expenses, but tax implications may vary by one's circumstances. Any portion you don't withdraw will be paid out to your beneficiaries once you pass away, but premiums are still required to be paid for the benefits to be paid upon the insured's death.

How much does an accelerated death benefit rider cost?

While insurance riders are considered "add-ons" that often cost extra, accelerated death benefit riders are sometimes included in life insurance policies for no cost. Many of these riders, however, treat the accelerated benefits similar to a policy loan. Thus, the eventual death benefit left over is equal to the initial death benefit, less the accelerated amount, minus the interest charged against the accelerated amount.

The accelerated death benefit rider is a relatively new product, and older policies may not include one. If your existing policy doesn't provide for an accelerated death benefits rider, ask your insurer if it can be added. Note that adding the rider may increase your premium.

Should I get an accelerated death benefits rider?

If you're shopping for life insurance now, there's a good chance an accelerated death benefits rider will be automatically included in your policy for no additional cost, meaning there's no downside. If your insurer charges extra for the rider, consider if developing a terminal illness would result in financial stress for you or your loved ones. Depending on the cost, adding the accelerated death benefit rider may be worth the peace of mind that you'd have access to additional funds if you needed them.

You should also compare your insurer's accelerated death benefits rider with their long-term care rider and chronic illness rider. If you're concerned about developing a certain serious health issue, make sure you choose the rider that includes that condition, and that you can afford any increase in premium.

How to get life insurance through Progressive

Get a life insurance quote online in as little as 60 seconds. You'll answer some questions and then choose your payment amount, term length, and other policy details. You can also call 1-866-912-2477 to speak with a licensed representative who can help you find the right policy for you.

CHAPTER 5. Accelerated Benefits Option

5.01 GENERAL
5.02 REQUEST FOR ACCELERATED BENEFITS
5.03 EFFECTIVE DATE

5.01 GENERAL

a. The Accelerated Benefit Option permits terminally-ill members covered under the SGLI and VGLI programs to receive a portion of the face value of their insurance coverage before they die. Such payments are made by lump sum only and paid by check.

b. A member is eligible to receive an Accelerated Benefit if he or she has a valid written prognosis form a physician of 9 months or less to live.

c. The amount of Accelerated Benefit available to a member is up to 50% of the face value of the member's insurance coverage. If a member elects less than the maximum, the amount requested must be in increments of $5,000. The Accelerated Benefit paid to the member will be the amount requested.

d. The portion of the face value of insurance which is not paid in a lump sum as an Accelerated Benefit remains payable to the member's designated beneficiary(ies) upon his or her death. Monthly deductions for SGLI and premiums for VGLI shall be reduced in a manner consistent with the percentage reduction in the face value of the insurance as a result of payment of the Accelerated Benefit.

e. Members insured under the SGLI program who elect an Accelerated Benefit and who thereafter convert their SGLI coverage to VGLI are eligible only for a reduced amount of VGLI coverage based on the amount of the Accelerated Benefit they received.

f. The amount of the Accelerated Benefit received by the Servicemember or Veteran shall not be considered income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for or the amount of benefits under any Federal or federally-assisted program or for any other purpose.

5.02 REQUEST FOR ACCELERATED BENEFITS

a. Only the insured member may apply for an Accelerated Benefit. No one else can apply on the member's behalf.

b. The application form entitled "Claim for Accelerated Benefits" is available by request by writing the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, PO Box 70173, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0173 or calling the office toll-free at 1-800-419-1473. The application is also available for downloading on our forms page.

c. The application contains one part to be completed by the insured and a second part to be completed by the insured's physician. In addition, the branch of service for active duty Servicemembers must complete part of the form. The member must submit the completed application form to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, PO Box 70173, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0173.

5.03 EFFECTIVE DATE

a. The election to receive the Accelerated Benefit becomes effective at the time the member cashes or deposits the Accelerated Benefit.

b. A member may cancel his or her request for benefits prior to cashing or depositing the Accelerated Benefit by informing OSGLI in writing of the request to cancel and by returning the check if the member has received it. If a member wants to change the amount of benefits requested or decides to reapply after canceling the request, he or she may file another application.

c. If a member dies prior to cashing an Accelerated Benefit payment, the payment must be returned to OSGLI.

d. Once an election becomes effective (by cashing or depositing the Accelerated Benefit payment), it can not be revoked. A member is not eligible for additional Accelerated Benefits.

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What are accelerated benefits?

Q: What are accelerated benefits? A: Accelerated benefits, also known as "living benefits," are life insurance policy proceeds paid to the policyholder before he or she dies. The benefits may be provided in the policies themselves, but more often they are added by riders or attachments to new or existing policies.

What triggers the payment of accelerated death benefits?

An accelerated death benefit lets you access a portion of your life insurance policy's death benefit while you're living. Typically, you must be diagnosed with a chronic illness or terminal illness to trigger this benefit.

Which of the following provides accelerated death benefits in a life insurance policy?

An accelerated death benefit rider, also known as a terminal illness rider, is a life insurance policy add-on that allows you to access your policy's death benefit before you die if you're diagnosed with a qualifying serious illness — typically a terminal one.

Who determines the amount of accelerated death benefits?

Accelerated death benefits can be as high as 95% of the death benefit. Typically, the insurance company sets a maximum benefit amount based on life expectancy, and the policyholder makes the final decision on how much of a financial advance they require.