Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Paid-Up Additional Insurance



Definition

Paid-Up Additional Insurance is a feature in some whole life insurance policies, which allows policyholders to purchase additional coverage using their accumulated dividends. This additional coverage increases the death benefit and builds cash value, while requiring no further premium payments. The main advantage of paid-up additional insurance is that it provides an affordable way to expand coverage and enhance the policy’s overall value.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation of “Paid-Up Additional Insurance” is: peyd-uhp əˈdɪʃənəl ɪnˈʃʊrəns

Key Takeaways

  1. Increased Whole Life Insurance Policy Value: Paid-Up Additional Insurance is a policy option that allows the policyholder to use dividends to purchase additional insurance, thereby increasing the cash value and death benefit of their whole life policy.
  2. Non-Guaranteed Dividends: Dividends used to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance are not guaranteed, as they depend on the performance of the insurance company. However, if dividends are declared, the policyholder can use them to increase their insurance coverage without undergoing additional underwriting or medical examinations.
  3. Flexibility: Policyholders have the flexibility to choose whether to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance or use dividends for other options such as reducing premiums or receiving cash payments. This allows the policyholder to adapt their policy according to their changing financial objectives and needs.

Importance

Paid-Up Additional Insurance is important because it allows policyholders to use their earned dividends to purchase additional coverage within their existing life insurance policy. This additional coverage increases the policy’s death benefit and cash value, while ensuring that the policy’s premium payments remain the same. Essentially, this feature enables policyholders to enhance their financial protection without incurring extra costs, providing peace of mind to their beneficiaries. Additionally, it steadily grows the cash value of the policy, which the policyholder can borrow against or use for other purposes in the future, ultimately maximizing the value and flexibility of their life insurance policy.

Explanation

Paid-Up Additional Insurance serves the dual purpose of increasing the policyholder’s life coverage while also providing a potentially higher cash value accumulation. This optional feature allows policyholders to utilize their earned dividends from participating whole life insurance policies. By reinvesting their dividends into buying additional life insurance, policyholders can boost the death benefit of their policy without undergoing further medical examinations or extending premiums. As a result, this addition gives policyholders peace of mind, knowing that their protection is enhanced over time, even in the face of increasing financial commitments and liabilities. Another key advantage of Paid-Up Additional Insurance lies in its cash value growth potential. As these paid-up additions are considered part of the whole life policy, they accumulate cash value, similar to the base policy. Thus, when policyholders apply their dividends to purchase paid-up additions, they are essentially increasing both the death benefit and the cash value of their policies. This supplementary cash value can be borrowed against, if necessary, during the insured’s lifetime, providing added financial flexibility. Ultimately, Paid-Up Additional Insurance is a valuable tool for policyholders to maximize their life insurance benefits while leveraging a policy’s inherent cash value growth capabilities.

Examples

Paid-Up Additional Insurance is an option that allows policyholders to purchase additional life insurance coverage without having to undergo another medical exam or provide additional proof of insurability. Policyholders can use their dividends to buy more coverage, which is then fully paid in one lump sum. Here are three real-world examples: Example 1: Jane has a whole life insurance policy that comes with the option to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance. Her life insurance company pays out annual dividends, and Jane decides to use these dividends to purchase additional coverage. By doing so, Jane increases her overall life insurance death benefit without having to undergo another medical examination or pay additional premiums. This can be beneficial for her family in the event of her passing, as they will receive a higher payout from the insurance company. Example 2: John is a business owner who has a key person life insurance policy on himself. He has purchased Paid-Up Additional Insurance to not only increase the death benefit for his family but also to provide additional funds for his business in the event of his death. By doing so, John’s business will have a larger cash reserve to access for expenses, such as hiring a replacement or paying off any business debts. Example 3: Susan has a whole life insurance policy and is nearing retirement. She wants to ensure that her spouse will be taken care of should she pass away after retiring. Susan opts to use her annual dividends to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance, increasing her policy’s death benefit without the need for additional premium payments. This way, Susan can provide a larger financial safety net for her spouse in the event of her death, without increasing their ongoing expenses during retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is Paid-Up Additional Insurance?
Paid-Up Additional Insurance is a type of insurance policy purchased with dividends from an existing whole life insurance policy. It provides an additional amount of coverage without any future premium payments required, effectively increasing your overall insurance benefits.
How does Paid-Up Additional Insurance work?
When a whole life insurance policy earns dividends, the policyholder can choose to use these dividends to purchase additional insurance. This additional coverage is fully paid-up, meaning that no further premium payments are required. It accrues cash value and additional death benefits over time.
Why should I consider adding Paid-Up Additional Insurance to my policy?
Choosing to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance can help increase the death benefit for your beneficiaries without increasing your premium payments. Additionally, the cash value of this additional coverage will grow over time, providing you with potential asset growth and financial flexibility.
Can I access the cash value of my Paid-Up Additional Insurance?
Yes, if you need to access the cash value of your Paid-Up Additional Insurance, you can do so through policy loans or by surrendering the additional coverage. Keep in mind that taking a policy loan may accrue interest and surrendering the coverage can lead to a reduction in your total death benefit.
Is the dividend used to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance guaranteed?
No, dividends are not guaranteed and may vary based on the performance of the insurance company. This means that the amount of additional coverage you can purchase through Paid-Up Additional Insurance may fluctuate from year to year.
Does Paid-Up Additional Insurance affect my primary insurance policy?
No, the purchase of Paid-Up Additional Insurance will not impact your primary whole life insurance policy. Your basic coverage, premiums, and cash value growth will remain the same.
Can I purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance on my term life insurance policy?
No, Paid-Up Additional Insurance can only be purchased on whole life insurance policies. Term life insurance policies do not build cash value and typically do not earn dividends to be used for purchasing additional coverage.
Can I change my decision to purchase Paid-Up Additional Insurance later?
In many cases, you can change your dividend option on your whole life insurance policy later on. This would allow you to stop purchasing additional coverage and instead use your dividends for other purposes, such as contributing to your premium payments or receiving them as cash payouts. Be sure to review your specific policy terms and consult with an insurance professional.

Related Finance Terms

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More