
The face amount of a life insurance policy is the total monetary value of the policy, or the maximum amount that beneficiaries may receive after the policyholder passes away. It is also referred to as the death benefit or face value of the policy. The face amount is different from the cash value of a life insurance policy, which is a separate savings component that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The face value of life insurance is the dollar amount equated to the worth of your policy |
| Synonyms | Death benefit, face amount |
| Who receives it | Beneficiaries |
| When it is received | When the policy expires or when the insured person dies |
| How it is calculated | The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e. the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away |
| How it differs from cash value | The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from |
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What You'll Learn

Face value vs face amount
The face value and face amount of a life insurance policy are essentially the same thing. They refer to the amount of money that your beneficiaries will receive when you die.
The face value of a life insurance policy is the death benefit amount paid out to the beneficiaries upon the insured person's death. In simpler terms, it's the amount you purchase as coverage when you sign up for life insurance. This is the sum your designated beneficiaries will receive, tax-free in most cases when you pass away. The face value doesn't consider any additional amounts that might accrue through investments or savings options offered by some types of policies like whole life or universal life insurance.
The face amount of a life insurance policy is different from its cash value. The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e., the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away. The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from, depending on the policy. Using your policy's cash value may lower the death benefit since any outstanding loans or withdrawals will reduce your death benefit until you've repaid them. Depending on the type of policy or riders you have, it's possible to increase the face value of a policy over time.
There is a subtle difference between the two terms. Face Value is the death benefit amount stated on the life insurance policy. Face Amount is the amount of money your beneficiaries will receive minus any outstanding loans or withdrawals you have taken against the cash value account of your permanent life policy. For example, suppose you have a permanent life insurance policy with a face value of $100,000 and have taken out a $20,000 loan against your policy's cash value. In this case, the face amount would be $80,000.
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Death benefit
The face value of a life insurance policy is the death benefit amount paid out to the beneficiaries upon the insured person's death. It is the amount you purchase as coverage when you sign up for life insurance. This is the sum your designated beneficiaries will receive, tax-free in most cases, when you pass away. The face value is also referred to as the death benefit or the face amount of life insurance.
The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e. the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away. The face value doesn't consider any additional amounts that might accrue through investments or savings options offered by some types of policies like whole life or universal life insurance.
The face value of a life insurance policy is different from its cash value. The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from, depending on the policy. Using your policy's cash value may lower the death benefit since any outstanding loans or withdrawals will reduce your death benefit until you've repaid them.
Some policies allow policy owners to purchase additional insurance to increase the face value through paid-up additions (PUAs) or a guaranteed insurability rider. It is also possible to increase the face value of a policy over time, depending on the type of policy or riders you have.
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Cash value
The face amount of a life insurance policy is different from its cash value. The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e., the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away. This is also referred to as the death benefit. The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from, depending on the policy.
The face value of a life insurance policy is the amount of money your beneficiaries will receive when you die. It is the amount you purchase as coverage when you sign up for life insurance. This is the sum your designated beneficiaries will receive, tax-free in most cases, when you pass away. The face value doesn't consider any additional amounts that might accrue through investments or savings options offered by some types of policies like whole life or universal life insurance.
The cash value of a life insurance policy is a separate savings component that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from. This means that you can use the cash value of your life insurance policy to access cash while you are still alive. The cash value of a life insurance policy can be a useful feature if you need access to cash for unexpected expenses or if you want to build savings over time.
It's important to note that using the cash value of your life insurance policy may have an impact on the death benefit. Any outstanding loans or withdrawals will reduce the death benefit until they are repaid. This means that if you borrow against the cash value of your life insurance policy, your beneficiaries may receive a lower payout when you pass away.
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Permanent life insurance
The face value of a life insurance policy is the death benefit amount paid out to the beneficiaries upon the insured person's death. It is the amount you purchase as coverage when you sign up for life insurance. This is the sum your designated beneficiaries will receive, tax-free in most cases, when you pass away. The face value doesn't consider any additional amounts that might accrue through investments or savings options offered by some types of policies like whole life or universal life insurance.
The face amount of a life insurance policy is different from its cash value. The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e., the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away. The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from, depending on the policy. Using your policy's cash value may lower the death benefit since any outstanding loans or withdrawals will reduce your death benefit until you've repaid them.
Some policies allow policy owners to purchase additional insurance to increase the face value through paid-up additions (PUAs) or a guaranteed insurability rider. It is also possible to increase the face value of a policy over time, depending on the type of policy or riders you have.
For example, suppose you have a permanent life insurance policy with a face value of $100,000 and have taken out a $20,000 loan against your policy's cash value. In this case, the face amount of the policy would be $80,000.
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Whole life insurance
The face value of a life insurance policy is the death benefit amount paid out to the beneficiaries upon the insured person's death. It is the amount of money your beneficiaries will receive when you die. This is the sum your designated beneficiaries will receive, tax-free in most cases.
The face value of a life insurance policy is different from its cash value. The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e., the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away. The cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from, depending on the policy.
One of the key benefits of whole life insurance is the ability to build cash value over time. The cash value can be accessed through loans or withdrawals, providing flexibility and financial options during your lifetime. Additionally, whole life insurance policies often offer the opportunity to increase the death benefit through paid-up additions or riders, ensuring that your coverage keeps pace with your changing needs and providing additional financial security for your loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
The face amount of life insurance is the total monetary value of the policy, i.e. the maximum amount your beneficiaries may receive after you pass away.
The face amount is the total monetary value of the policy, whereas the cash value is a separate savings component of a permanent life insurance policy that the policyholder can borrow against or withdraw from.
Yes, depending on the type of policy or riders you have, it is possible to increase the face amount of a policy over time.







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