How to Cash Out a Life Insurance Policy: Can You Do It Before Death?

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

When you take out a life insurance policy, you are essentially making a bet that you will die sooner rather than later. If that happens, the life insurance company pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries. What if you don’t want to wait until death to collect that money? You may wonder, “can I cash out my life insurance policy before death?” This guide will answer that question and explain how to cash out a life insurance policy.

Can You Cash Out A Life Insurance Policy Before Death?

The answer to this question is maybe. It depends on the type of life insurance policy you have. If you have a term life insurance policy, you cannot cash it out before death because it does not build up cash value. However, if you have a whole life insurance policy, you may be able to cash it out before death.

What If I Can’t Cash Out My Life Insurance Policy?

If you can’t cash out the policy, consider selling it.

You may be able to find a life insurance settlement company that will buy your policy from you. The amount of money you get will depend on the policy’s death benefit and how long you have had the policy.

How to Cash Out Life Insurance Policy

If you have a whole life insurance policy, there are two ways to cash it out before death.

The first way is to surrender the policy back to the insurance company. The insurance company will give back your policy’s cash value minus any fees or penalties when you do this.

The second way to cash out your policy is to take out a loan against your policy’s cash value. This is called a policy loan. With a policy loan, you can borrow up to the total cash value of your policy, and you don’t have to pay it back until after you die. The downside of taking out a policy loan is that the interest rate is usually high, and if you don’t pay it back, the loan will reduce the death benefit your beneficiaries will receive.

Do You Pay Taxes On A Life Insurance Cash Out?

The answer to this question is maybe. If you surrender your life insurance policy to the insurance company, you may have to pay taxes on the cash value you receive. However, if you take out a policy loan, then you do not have to pay taxes on the loan amount.

Cashing out a life insurance policy before death is possible, but it is not always the best idea. It would be best to weigh the pros and cons of cashing out before deciding. Contact us below for assistance.

What Happens When You Cash Out A Life Insurance Policy?

When you cancel a life insurance policy, you are no longer covered by the death benefit. As a result, your beneficiaries will not receive anything from the policy if you die. You may also have to pay taxes on any money you receive from the policy when you cancel it. Before you do it, therefore, it is essential to understand the implications of canceling a life insurance policy.

Is It Worth It To Cash Out A Life Insurance Policy?

Whether or not it is worth it to cash out a life insurance policy depends on your circumstances. You should consider the amount of money you will receive, the taxes you will owe, and the death benefit your beneficiaries will lose before making a decision. It is also essential to compare the costs of cashing out to the costs of keeping the policy. For example, you may find that it is not worth it to cash out your policy if you have to pay any fees or penalties.

Should You Cash Out Your Life Insurance Policy?

When it comes to cashing out a life insurance policy, there are many factors to consider. How long have you had the policy? What is the cash surrender value? Are there any penalties for cashing out early? How will this decision affect your taxes? These are just some of the questions you must ask yourself before making a final decision. If you’re still unsure what to do, our team is here to help. We can provide you with a free quote and answer any questions you may have about this process. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.

How To Cash Out A Life Insurance Policy Before Death

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when you take cash value from life insurance?

When you take cash value from life insurance, you reduce the death benefit your beneficiaries will receive. The cash value is the portion of your premiums that the insurance company has set aside to grow over time. You can access this money through policy loans or by surrendering the policy back to the insurance company.

What does cash out mean in life insurance?

When you cash out a life insurance policy, you either take out a loan against the policy’s cash value or surrender the policy back to the insurance company. If you take out a loan, you will have to pay it back with interest. If you surrender the policy, you will receive the cash value minus any fees or penalties.

How much will I receive if I surrender my life insurance policy?

If you surrender your life insurance policy, you will receive the cash value minus any fees or penalties. The cash value is the portion of your premiums that the insurance company has set aside to grow over time.

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Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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