Family Income Policy
A Family Income Policy is a form of life insurance that provides supplementary income to the beneficiaries of the insured during a predetermined period, typically when the insured’s children are growing up. This type of policy combines the features of ordinary life insurance and decreasing term insurance.
Definition
A Family Income Policy guarantees income payments to beneficiaries until the end of a specified period if the insured passes away before that period concludes. If the insured individual is still alive at the end of the designated period, the policy’s face amount is paid out to the policyholder.
Key Features
- Combined Insurance: The policy integrates ordinary life insurance with decreasing term insurance.
- Income Payments: Beneficiaries receive regular income payments if the insured dies before the end of the specified period.
- Face Amount Payout: If the insured survives the specified period, the total face amount of the policy is paid to the policyholder.
- Focus on Dependents: Designed specifically to provide financial support during the years when the insured’s dependents are typically growing up and financially dependent.
Examples
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Example 1: John purchases a family income policy that specifies a 20-year period. If John dies within those 20 years, his children receive $2,000 monthly until the end of the 20-year period. If John survives beyond the term, he receives the face amount of the policy, say $500,000.
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Example 2: Sarah, a mother of two, buys a family income policy with a 15-year income period. Should Sarah pass away within 15 years, her children will receive monthly income payments until they are financially independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main benefit of a Family Income Policy?
- The main benefit is to provide consistent financial support to the insured’s dependents during their growing years, thus helping to cover expenses like education and living costs.
2. How does a Family Income Policy differ from ordinary life insurance?
- Unlike ordinary life insurance, which pays a lump sum to beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s death, a Family Income Policy provides periodic income payments for a specific duration, ensuring consistent financial support.
3. Can the income period in a Family Income Policy be adjusted?
- Typically, the income period is predetermined and cannot be adjusted after the policy is purchased. It is important to select a period that aligns with your dependents’ financial needs.
4. What happens if the insured outlives the income period?
- If the insured outlives the income period, they receive the face amount of the policy at the end of the term.
- Ordinary Life Insurance: A type of life insurance with a fixed premium and death benefit for the policyholder’s entire life.
- Decreasing Term Insurance: A type of term life insurance where the death benefit decreases over time.
- Beneficiary: The person or entity designated to receive benefits from an insurance policy or will.
- Face Amount: The death benefit amount stated on a life insurance policy.
Online References
Suggested Books for Further Studies
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“Principles of Life Insurance” by Robert E. Kuen
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“The New Life Insurance Investment Advisor” by Ben Baldwin
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“Life Insurance: A Consumer’s Handbook” by Joseph M. Belth
Fundamentals of Family Income Policy: Insurance Basics Quiz
### What does a Family Income Policy primarily aim to provide?
- [ ] Lump sum payment after death of the insured
- [ ] Long-term care benefits
- [x] Extra income during the period when children are growing up
- [ ] Retirement benefits
> **Explanation:** A Family Income Policy primarily aims to provide extra income during the period when children are growing up, ensuring consistent financial support to dependents.
### How does a Family Income Policy differ from an ordinary life insurance policy?
- [x] Provides income payments until the end of a specified period
- [ ] Has a higher premium cost
- [ ] Offers investment options
- [ ] Requires medical examinations
> **Explanation:** A Family Income Policy is distinct from ordinary life insurance because it provides periodic income payments to beneficiaries during a specified term rather than a lump sum payment.
### If the insured dies before the end of the specified period in a Family Income Policy, what do the beneficiaries receive?
- [ ] Lump sum payment of the face amount
- [ ] Annual interest payments
- [x] Regular income payments until the end of the policy period
- [ ] Investment profits
> **Explanation:** If the insured dies before the specified period ends, the beneficiaries receive regular income payments until the end of the policy period.
### In a Family Income Policy, what happens if the insured is still alive at the end of the specified period?
- [ ] Beneficiaries receive a new policy
- [ ] The policy is terminated with no benefit payout
- [ ] The beneficiaries start receiving income payments
- [x] The policyholder receives the face amount of the policy
> **Explanation:** If the insured is still alive at the end of the specified period, the policyholder receives the face amount of the policy.
### What is the "face amount" in the context of a Family Income Policy?
- [ ] The annual premium amount
- [ ] The cash value of the policy
- [x] The death benefit amount
- [ ] The policy term period
> **Explanation:** The "face amount" refers to the death benefit amount stated on a life insurance policy.
### Which two types of insurance are combined in a Family Income Policy?
- [ ] Health Insurance and Disability Insurance
- [x] Ordinary Life Insurance and Decreasing Term Insurance
- [ ] Whole Life Insurance and Universal Life Insurance
- [ ] Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death Insurance
> **Explanation:** A Family Income Policy combines Ordinary Life Insurance and Decreasing Term Insurance to provide a comprehensive financial safety net.
### Who typically benefits from a Family Income Policy?
- [x] The insured's dependents, such as children, during their growing years
- [ ] The insured after retirement
- [ ] The insured's spouse only
- [ ] Business partners
> **Explanation:** The primary beneficiaries of a Family Income Policy are the insured's dependents, ensuring they have financial support during their formative years.
### Can the income period in a Family Income Policy be adjusted once it is set?
- [ ] Yes, it can be adjusted at any time
- [x] No, it is predetermined and cannot be adjusted after the policy is purchased
- [ ] It can be adjusted only once after policy issuance
- [ ] It depends on the insurance company
> **Explanation:** The income period in a Family Income Policy is predetermined and cannot be adjusted once the policy is purchased.
### What is a **Beneficiary** in the context of life insurance?
- [ ] Insurance underwriter
- [ ] Policyholder's employer
- [x] Person or entity designated to receive benefits
- [ ] Insurance salesperson
> **Explanation:** A **Beneficiary** is the person or entity designated to receive benefits from an insurance policy or will.
### How does a Decreasing Term Insurance benefit in a Family Income Policy?
- [ ] By offering a lump sum payout
- [x] By reducing the death benefit over time, aligning with decreasing needs of dependents
- [ ] By providing investment returns
- [ ] By paying dividends to the policyholder annually
> **Explanation:** **Decreasing Term Insurance** benefits a Family Income Policy by reducing the death benefit over time, aligning with the decreasing financial needs of dependents as they grow older and become self-sufficient.
Thank you for exploring the details of the Family Income Policy and tackling our comprehensive quiz. Continue to deepen your understanding of insurance policies to make informed financial decisions!