Return of Premium Life Insurance Rider (2024)

A return of premium (ROP) life insurance rider is an optional add-on to a term life policy that, if you outlive the policy term, pays you all or some of the money you spent on policy payments. Without an ROP life insurance rider, if you're still living when the policy's term ends, your policy will expire without paying a benefit.

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How does a return of premium life insurance rider work?

If you purchase an ROP life insurance rider with your term life policy, you'll make monthly payments to keep your policy active. If you're still living when the policy term ends, the insurance company pays back all or some of the money you spent on payments, depending on your policy, in the form of an ROP benefit.

The money back from your term life insurance may not be taxable, unless there's a gain; consult with a financial advisor to understand these potential implications. The refund might not include fees and other riders you have on the policy, and missing payments can disqualify you from getting your ROP benefit.

If you die during the policy term, your beneficiaries can claim the death benefit, just like with any other life insurance policy.

Example:You purchase a 30-year term life insurance policy with a return of premium rider, and your monthly payment eligible for the ROP benefit is $50. If you're still living when the term ends and you haven't missed any payments, you may get $18,000 back from your insurer ($50 x 360 monthly payments = $18,000).

Am I entitled to return of premium on my term life insurance?

You're typically only entitled to getting your term life insurance money back if you purchased a return of premium rider with your term policy, you made your payments on time, and you're still living when the term ends.

How much will I get back of my term life insurance payments?

A return of premium rider typically refunds you the total premium you paid for your base policy and the ROP rider. It may not refund fees or the premium you paid for other riders on your policy. Being late on payments may reduce your refund or disqualify you from receiving one at all.

Should I get a return of premium rider?

A return of premium life insurance rider is typically for risk-averse individuals who can afford the increased monthly premium and want financial protection for their loved ones. Simply put, it provides added security when purchasing life insurance. Plus, depending on your policy term length, your return of premium could line up with your retirement age, providing a benefit around the time you stop earning an income.

Even if you don't fit that profile, it's possible that you could still find value in an ROP rider. If you're considering life insurance with an ROP rider, speak with a financial advisor about the potential trade-offs and tax implications for your situation.

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Return of Premium Life Insurance Rider (2024)

FAQs

Return of Premium Life Insurance Rider? ›

A return of premium rider allows term life insurance policyholders to recover the premiums they've paid over the life of their policy if they don't die while the policy is in effect. Policies with this provision are also referred to as return of premium life insurance.

Is return of premium life insurance legitimate? ›

Bottom line. A return of premium policy mitigates the risk of life insurance by returning your payments if you outlive the term. In most cases, however, you'd be better off putting the extra money you'd spend in a savings or investment vehicle, where it could grow over the term of the policy.

How much do you get back on a return of premium life insurance? ›

The exact amount you receive from your return of premium life insurance policy varies by insurer, but typically it can be as much as 100% of the policy premiums minus administrative charges, late payment fees or similar costs. The percentage amount may vary by provider.

What is a return premium in an insurance policy? ›

What is a Return Premium? Return premium, a term commonly used in the insurance industry, refers to the amount of money refunded to a policyholder when certain conditions result in the policyholder overpaying for insurance coverage.

What is the return of premium rider for long-term care? ›

Return of Premium is a feature on some long-term care insurance policies that gives you your money back, either in full or in part, if you end up not needing long-term care. It provides valuable peace of mind, knowing that your premiums won't go to waste if you stay healthy.

What is the return of premium rider in life insurance? ›

What is return of premium life insurance? A return of premium (ROP) life insurance rider is an optional add-on to a term life policy that, if you outlive the policy term, pays you all or some of the money you spent on policy payments.

Is return of premium a permanent life insurance? ›

Return of premium life insurance is a type of term life insurance that allows you to collect your premium payments if you outlive your selected term.

Do you pay taxes on return of premium life insurance? ›

Return of premium (ROP) is a type of term life insurance that is about 30% more expensive than a term life policy, but it comes with a feature that some people bet on: If you outlive your term, all the premiums paid throughout the life of the policy are refunded to you, tax-free.

Can I cancel my life insurance policy and get my money back? ›

Yes, you can, although the only way to get back all your premium payments is to do so during the initial “free look” period. However, depending on the policy type and circ*mstances, you may receive some money from surrendering a whole life policy that has accumulated sufficient cash value.

What is the average rate of return on life insurance? ›

The average annual rate of return on the cash value for whole life insurance is 1% to 3.5%, according to Quotacy. While whole life insurance offers fixed, guaranteed returns on your cash value, you may earn higher returns with other investments, such as stocks, bonds and real estate.

Do you get your money back at the end of a term life insurance? ›

Under a basic term insurance plan, you do not get money-back at the end of the life insurance term. On the other hand, under a money-back term insurance plan, you get assured returns at the end of the policy term.

Why did I get an insurance premium refund? ›

A premium refund is a clause in some insurance policies that grants the beneficiaries a refund to the total amount of premiums paid to date. Depending on the contract and type of insurance, it will grant a refund of the premiums you paid if you die before that term runs out or if you voluntarily end your coverage.

Is an insurance premium refund considered income? ›

@pgarside You will report your Refund of Premiums as 'Other Income'. You are only being taxed on this income once. If you were able to deduct all or part of the premiums as a Self Employment Expense previously, you are actually only paying tax on any amount that exceeded your expenses.

Can long-term care policies be cashed out? ›

If you need long-term care, you can tap the policy benefit. If you die before needing long-term care, the policy has a life insurance benefit. If you decide you need the money for something else, you can typically receive a cash value that can be roughly equal to or less than the total premiums paid.

Is the return of premium taxable in long-term care? ›

Return of Premium

The refund is included in the beneficiary's gross income and is taxable, to the extent it was either excluded from the owner's income or deducted by the owner. It must be included as income in the year it is received.

What is the waiting period on a waiver of premium rider in life? ›

Waiting Period: Once the claim for premium waiver is filed, there's usually a predetermined waiting period (often about six months, but this can vary by insurer) before the waiver can take effect.

How does senior life return of premium work? ›

Also known as ROP life insurance, this type of coverage reimburses you for the money you paid in premiums if you don't die during the term.

How does return of premium annuity work? ›

A return of premium rider is a low-risk add-on to your annuity plan. It is a type of death benefit rider that ensures your beneficiary will receive payments if you die before the set term of the plan has elapsed. In addition, a return of premium rider may be a good replacement for a life insurance policy.

Is return of premium on life insurance policy taxable? ›

Return of premium (ROP) is a type of term life insurance that is about 30% more expensive than a term life policy, but it comes with a feature that some people bet on: If you outlive your term, all the premiums paid throughout the life of the policy are refunded to you, tax-free.

What is the return of premium death benefit plan? ›

A return of premium death benefit provides your loved ones with guaranteed assets at an amount equal to your initial premium invested, reduced for withdrawals.

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