What does the term "death benefit" refer to in life insurance?

The term "death benefit" in life insurance specifically refers to the total amount paid to beneficiaries upon the insured's death. This is the primary purpose of a life insurance policy; it provides financial security to the beneficiaries, ensuring that they receive a specified amount of money when the insured individual passes away.

This payment can be crucial for covering various expenses, such as funeral costs, outstanding debts, or other financial obligations that the insured may leave behind. The death benefit is typically guaranteed as long as the policy is in force and premiums are paid on time, making it a key feature of life insurance.

The other options do not accurately define the death benefit: the cash value of the policy represents a savings component that builds over time in some types of life insurance, the amount received upon policy termination refers to any potential surrender value, and the premium amount indicates the cost of the insurance rather than the benefit provided upon death.