6 Ways to Access Your Life Insurance Value
Living Benefit Loan
Borrow up to 50% of the death benefit. Works with ANY policy type — term, whole, universal, group, FEGLI. No credit check. Funded in 3 days.
Best for: Anyone who needs fast cash and wants to keep their policy. Full guide →
Traditional Policy Loan
Borrow 90-95% of your cash value directly from the insurer. Only for permanent policies with cash value. Low interest (5-8%).
Best for: Permanent policyholders with significant cash value built up.
Accelerated Death Benefit (ADB)
Access 25-50% of death benefit if terminally ill. May be built into your policy at no extra cost. Not a loan — it's an advance.
Best for: Terminal diagnosis, policy has ADB rider.
Viatical Settlement
Sell your policy for 50-80% of death benefit. Requires terminal/serious illness. Process takes 2-4 months. You lose all coverage.
Best for: Maximum payout, no need to preserve coverage. Learn more →
Life Settlement
Sell your policy for 20-40% of death benefit. Usually for seniors 65+. Takes 3-6 months. Coverage ends permanently.
Best for: Seniors who no longer need/can afford coverage. Learn more →
Cash Surrender
Cancel your permanent policy and take the cash surrender value. Fastest way to exit but usually the lowest payout.
Best for: When you're done with the policy and want out quickly.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Speed | Keep Policy? | Term Life OK? | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Benefit Loan | 3 days | Yes | Yes | ≤50% DB |
| Policy Loan | 5-10 days | Yes | No | ≤95% CV |
| ADB Rider | 2-4 weeks | Yes | If rider | 25-50% DB |
| Viatical | 2-4 months | No | Sometimes | 50-80% DB |
| Life Settlement | 3-6 months | No | Convertible | 20-40% DB |
| Surrender | 1-2 weeks | No | No value | CSV minus fees |
DB = Death Benefit. CV = Cash Value. CSV = Cash Surrender Value.
Get Your Free Policy Review
Find out how much you can access — no obligation, no credit check.
Which Method Is Right for You?
"I need money fast and want to keep my policy" → Living Benefit Loan
"I have a permanent policy with good cash value" → Traditional Policy Loan (contact your insurer)
"I'm terminally ill and my policy has an ADB rider" → Check your ADB first, then consider a Living Benefit Loan for additional funds
"I want the maximum possible cash and don't need the coverage" → Viatical or Life Settlement
"I want to compare everything side by side" → Full Options Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get money from life insurance while alive?
Yes. Six methods exist: Living Benefit Loans, policy loans, accelerated death benefits, viatical settlements, life settlements, and cash surrender.
What's the fastest way?
Living Benefit Loan — funded in as few as 3 business days. No credit check.
Can I get cash from term life?
Yes, through a Living Benefit Loan (borrows against death benefit, not cash value). Term policies with $75,000+ qualify.
Do I have to pay it back?
Policy loans and Living Benefit Loans are repaid from the death benefit. Selling or surrendering means nothing to repay.
Will it affect my beneficiaries?
Loans reduce the death benefit. Selling or surrendering eliminates it entirely.
Related Guides
Ready to Access Your Policy's Value?
No credit check. No monthly payments. Funding in as few as 3 days.