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What are Life Insurance Death Benefits?

Do you ever consider what will happen to your family when you pass away? If you are the breadwinner, your family may struggle financially after your demise. This is when life insurance death benefits come into play, providing crucial financial support to your loved ones in case of your untimely death during the policy term. Read More


The death benefit ensures that the nominee receives financial assistance to cover expenses and manage a decent lifestyle. Knowing about life insurance death benefits helps you understand how life insurance plans work and what is its importance. Read Less

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Written ByShruti Gujarathi
AboutShruti Gujarathi
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Shruti Gujarathi has 5 years of experience in the BFSI sector, and as Manager – Digital Marketing at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, manages digital and content marketing. She has had hands-on experience in content strategy, performance marketing and Strategic Alliances over a career spanning 10 years, with deep expertise in insurance domain.
Reviewed ByRituraj Singh
AboutRituraj Singh
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Rituraj Singh,With over 6.5 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rituraj Singh, Manager- Product & Brand Marketing at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance overlooks new product launches, compliance, and brand projects, leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to enhance outcomes.
Written on: 25th July 2025
Modified on: 28th July 2025
Reading Time: 15 Mins
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What is the Death Benefit of a Life Insurance Policy?

As mentioned already, the life insurance death benefit is the payout called sum assured, which the insurance company gives to the nominee when the life assured passes away during the policy term.

If you are the primary breadwinner, your sudden death can disturb the family not only emotionally but also financially. The death benefit or sum assured helps pay for the expenses of day-to-day living, education costs, or any other financial needs.


Tax on Life Insurance Death Benefit

The life insurance death benefit payout is generally tax-free under Indian tax laws, making it a valuable financial resource for the beneficiary. Here are the key points about the tax on life insurance death benefits:

  • The amount received as a death benefit under a term insurance plan is exempt from income tax under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, subject to certain terms and conditions.
  • This tax exemption applies to the sum assured, and any bonuses or additional benefits paid out.
  • The policyholder can also claim tax deductions on premiums paid under Section 80C (available under the old tax regime), up to ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year.

Understanding the tax benefits helps policyholders plan better and maximize the value of their term insurance plan.


Get additional financial protection

Consider including riders such as accidental death benefit rider or critical illness benefit rider etc based on your needs and to enhance the coverage of your policy at a nominal additional premium.

This strategy can help you maximize the benefits of your term insurance plan and provide peace of mind.


Conclusion

Life insurance death benefit is the money nominee receives when you (life assured) pass away during the term of the policy. It assists them in meeting their financial requirements like paying daily bills , paying for children’s education etc.. The death benefit is usually a fixed amount decided during the purchase of the policy , and is paid out by the Insurer in case of the unfortunate demise of the life assured during the policy term, subject to policy terms and conditions. It provides peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be financially taken care of even when you are not there.


FAQs

  1. How does a death claim benefit the nominee in a life insurance policy?

    The death benefit is paid to the nominee if the life assured passes away within the policy term. The death benefit assists in meeting basic financial requirements, such as daily living expenses, debts, education etc.


  2. How are death benefits paid out?

    Death benefits are usually paid as a lump sum to the nominee after submitting the required documents during the claim settlement process. Some policies may offer options for regular payments based on the chosen option.


  3. Who will receive the death benefit?

    The nominee identified in the policy receives the death benefit. The policyholder needs to keep nominee details updated to ensure the payout goes to the intended person without any complications.


  4. How to calculate the death benefit for life insurance?

    The death benefit usually refers to the fixed amount that the insurer agrees to pay to the nominee if the life assured passes away during the policy term. This amount is decided at the time of buying the policy and does not usually change over time.

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Disclaimers:
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The views stated in this article are not to be construed as investment advice and readers are suggested to seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read the sales brochure & policy document (available on www.bajajallianzlife.com) carefully before concluding a sale. Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd., Regd. office Address: Bajaj Allianz House, Airport Road, Yerawada, Pune - 411006, Reg. No.: 116, CIN: U66010PN2001PLC015959, Call us on toll free No.: 1800 209 7272, Mail us: customercare@bajajallianz.co.in

Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C (under old tax regime) of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.

BJAZ-WEB-EC-16210/25

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Disclaimer

*Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.

~Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio for FY 2023-2024

1Premium Holiday has to be selected at inception to avail this benefit and also depends on other policy terms & conditions


Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116

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Terms & Conditions

I hereby authorize Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. to call me on the contact number made available by me on the website with a specific request to call back. I further declare that, irrespective of my contact number being registered on National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) or on National Do Not Call Registry (NDNC), any call made, SMS or WhatsApp sent in response to my request shall not be construed as an Unsolicited Commercial Communication even though the content of the call may be for the purposes of explaining various insurance products and services or solicitation and procurement of insurance business

 

Please refer to BALIC Privacy Policy

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%%Above illustration is for Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch- A Non Linked, Non-Participating, Individual Life Insurance Term Plan (UIN: 116N172V03) considering Male aged 25 years | Non-Smoker | Policy Term (PT)– 30 years | Premium Payment Term (PPT) – 30 years | Sum Assured opted is Rs. 1,00,00,000 | Online Channel | Standard Life | 1st Year Premium is Rs. 6,238. 2nd Year onwards premium is Rs. 6,659. Total Premium Paid is Rs. 1,99,349 | Medical Rates | Yearly Premium Payment Mode | Death benefit opted is lumpsum payout and monthly installments (Lumpsum Payout Percentage : 45, Income Payout Percentage : 55) | Premium shown above is exclusive of Goods & Service Tax/any other applicable tax levied, subject to changes in tax laws, and any extra premium and is for illustrative purpose only. This is inclusive of all the discounts mentioned above.

##Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.Above Tax benefit is calculated considering deduction of Rs. 150,000 and applicable tax rate of 31.20%.

@Term Insurance plan bought online directly from Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has no commissions involved.

^^The Return of Premium amount is total of all the premiums received, exclusive of extra premium, rider premium and GST & /any other applicable tax levied, subject to changes in tax laws
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116

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Disclaimer

Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch- A Non Linked, Non-Participating, Individual Life Insurance Term Plan (UIN: 116N172V04)

*Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.Above Tax benefit is calculated considering deduction of Rs. 150,000 and applicable tax rate of 31.20%.

~Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio for FY 2023-2024

1Premium Holiday has to be selected at inception to avail this benefit and also depends on other policy terms & conditions


Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116


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