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Family Income Benefit

What is family income benefit insurance?

Family income benefit (or ‘FIB’) is a type of life insurance, however, unlike traditional policies that pay out a lump sum, family income benefit provides beneficiaries instead with a regular, fixed, tax-free income.

Regular income payments run from the date of death, until the end of the policy term, as chosen at the outset by the policyholder. No benefit is provided if a claim has not been made before the policy expires.

Family income benefit plans can be well suited to parents with young children, who want an affordable way to ensure that their dependents are adequately provisioned for. A regular income can also help with family budgeting.

Family income benefit cover

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This type of life cover is generally very cost effective because the risk to the insurer reduces each year and they are not guaranteed to pay out, (unlike a whole of life policy).

Another advantage of family income benefit is it does not require beneficiaries to budget, manage, invest a large sum. This can involve complicated investment decisions, that incur fees/taxes, at a time when you are grieving.

How does a family income benefit plan work?

Before you buy family income benefit, you need to establish how much income your dependents require each year. Ideally, this would cover all living costs, not just now but in the future.

Then you need to decide how long you require the cover to last, (known as the ‘term’). Often policyholders ensure the term lasts until their children are financially independent.

Normally this tax-free income is paid monthly, although it can be paid quarterly. This can help with the long-term budgeting for day-to-day living expenses.

Family income benefit example scenarioFamily income benefit scenario

Why is family income benefit cheaper?

If you pass away halfway through a family income benefit term, the number of monthly payments your family receive is just half the maximum.

In contrast, level term or whole of life cover pays out the full sum assured, regardless of whether the policyholder dies 1 week or 25 years into the term.

As the potential risk to your insurer decreases with each passing year, the cost of FIB policies remain low in comparison with other lump sum life cover.

As with all life insurance cover, the cost will depend on a number of key factors. Most notably, age, the annual income you want paid out, the term length and your health/lifestyle.

Family income benefit vs standard life insurance

Standard life insurance pays out a lump sum when the policyholder dies, whereas family income benefit provides a regular tax-free income. However, it does not necessarily have to be a case of having one, or the other.

Subject to budget, you may decide to take out standard life insurance, that pays a lump sum for larger one-off costs, (like paying off the mortgage), alongside a FIB policy, which provides your dependents with a steady income for day-to-day living costs.

Both options provide protection and security for your loved ones, and it is a case of weighing up the type of the cover you need and what you can afford.

Family income benefit vs income protection

Although family income benefit and income protection sound very similar, they are in fact two very different policies.

Family income benefit only pays beneficiaries after the policyholder dies, whereas income protection policies protect their income if they are alive, but unable to work due to an illness or accident.

Family income benefit with critical illness cover

Most family income benefit policies can be extended to also include critical illness.

This means your family could start benefiting from the cover, in the event you were no longer able to work because of falling critically ill.

However, adding a critical illness element to your policy cover is likely to result in paying higher monthly premiums.

Can I get joint cover?

Yes. Family income benefit is often bought on a joint basis. Income payments on a joint policy will start from the passing of one of the policyholders, usually the first, but not both.

However, it may only be slightly more expensive to take out two single policies. This could represent better value, as it would mean two separate pay outs if you both were to die during the term.

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Guaranteed or reviewable premiums?

When you take out family income benefit, you have a choice of either guaranteed or reviewable premiums.

If you choose a guaranteed premium, your insurer will not change the monthly price. You always know what you have to pay throughout the policy term.

Where as, reviewable premiums normally cost less initially, however your insurer has the power to increase the cost at intervals during the term.

The rising cost of living

You will have worked out the level of cover you need to maintain your family’s standard of living, at the time of setting up the policy. However, the cost of living generally rises over time.

To ensure your family income benefit payments meet your dependant’s needs, not just now, but in the future, it may be a good idea to link it to indexation. Meaning your payment amount increases, as living costs rise.

Visit MoneyAdviceService – set up by the UK government, to provide free and impartial finance advice.

Can a family income benefit policy be written in trust?

Yes. Any life insurance policy can be written into trust, and most providers offer trust forms free of charge.

At Reassured we provide customers with a free trust service to help with the application process. (Although, we do not offer advice).

Putting your policy in trust means that the pay out falls outside your estate, therefore avoiding probate. Trusts can also help you avoid the risk of having to pay 40% inheritance tax.

Family income benefit in summary:

Pro’s

Con’s

Why use Reassured to secure the best family income benefit cover?

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