What is the difference between paid up value and surrender value?

Asked by: Nigel Reichert Jr.  |  Last update: January 5, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (70 votes)

A special surrender value is determined by (Initial base sum assured times (Premiums paid minus Premiums payable+ Bonus) + surrender value factor). If premiums are stopped after a certain period, the policy continues with a lower sum assured. We refer to this sum assured as the paid-up value.

What is the difference between surrender and paid up?

However, surrendering a policy early results in reduced payouts, as bonuses and other benefits may not fully accrue. Opt for paid-up value if you want to retain insurance coverage without additional premium payments. This choice is beneficial when long-term protection is a priority, even if the payout is reduced.

What is the difference between fund value and surrender value?

Key Takeaways. Cash value, or account value, is equal to the sum of money that builds inside a cash-value–generating annuity or permanent life insurance policy. Surrender value is the amount you'll receive if you try to withdraw all of your cash value, and it may be less than cash value if surrender fees are charged.

What is meant by paid-up value?

A paid-up value is the value of your sum assured after you stop paying your premiums. The sum assured decided at the start of the policy is reduced if you do not pay all the premiums. This reduced sum assured is known as Paid-up Value.

Why is surrender value less than premium paid?

When one stops paying premiums after a certain period, the policy continues but with a lower sum assured. This sum assured is called the paid up value. The more the number of premiums paid, the more will be the surrender value. The surrender value factor is a percentage of the paid-up value plus the bonus.

Paid up or surrender your all insurance policy

29 related questions found

How much money will I get if I surrender my policy after 3 years?

Types of Surrender Value

This means the premium must be paid for a minimum period of 3 years. If you surrender after 3 years, the surrender value will be around 30% of the premiums paid.

Should I surrender or sell my life insurance policy?

Surrendering your life insurance policy is one way you can liquidate, but selling a policy you don't need may be a better strategy. Selling has several advantages to surrendering it, including higher proceeds and greater flexibility. Surrendering the policy is faster but selling it usually brings you more money.

What are the disadvantages of a paid-up policy?

Reduced Coverage: You or your beneficiaries will not receive the policy's original coverage. This is the primary drawback of the paid-up policy.

Can you cash in a paid-up life insurance policy?

If your policy has built up a cash value, you can withdraw money or take a loan on the policy. If it has a cash surrender value, you can stop the policy and get the money built up in the cash value. However, there may be charges for surrendering early.

What happens if I don't pay my sun life on time?

What will happen if I do not pay on time? If you are unable to pay your premium within the grace period, your policy may lapse resulting in loss of benefits.

Why is my cash surrender value so low?

Factors influencing a life insurance policy's cash surrender value are policy type, premiums, duration, interest rates, loans, and fees. Before surrendering a life insurance policy, policyholders should consider potential drawbacks such as fees, taxes, and loss of the death benefit.

Who pays surrender value?

A surrender value in insurance refers to the amount paid by the insurance company to the policyholder upon terminating the policy before its maturity date. If the policyholder surrenders during the policy tenure, the earnings and savings portion will be paid to him or her.

Can I cancel my life insurance policy and get my money back?

Unless you're canceling a policy during a free-look period, your premium won't be refunded if you cancel your life insurance policy. There are a few instances where you may see some money returned. For example, you may receive your accumulated cash value if you cancel a permanent policy, minus any taxes and fees.

How does surrender value work?

Cash surrender value is the actual amount of money you will receive if you choose to terminate a permanent life insurance policy before its maturity date, or before you die. That value differs from your life insurance policy's cash value component, which is the total sum compiled in your policy's cash account.

What are the benefits of a paid up policy?

A paid-up insurance policy is one where the policyholder stops premium payment but continues to enjoy insurance coverage. The sum assured in such cases reduces to a value based on the number of premiums paid till date.

What is the benefit of surrender?

What are the benefits of choosing surrender? BM: When we're able to surrender the things that are out of our control, it reduces anxiety and helps us regulate our emotions more effectively.

What happens to the cash value after the policy is fully paid up?

What happens to the cash value after the policy is fully paid up? The company plans to use the cash value to pay premiums until you die. If you take cash value out, there may not be enough to pay premiums.

How do I avoid tax on life insurance cash value?

Cash Value Tax Benefits

You don't owe income tax as long as the money stays in your policy. You can withdraw up to your premium payments tax-free. If you withdraw more than that, you do owe income tax on your gains above what you paid. However, you can also access your cash value through a loan.

How much will I receive if I surrender my life insurance policy?

Fortunately, it's easy to calculate your cash surrender value. First, add up the total payments you've made toward your life insurance policy. Then, subtract the surrender fees your insurance company will charge. You'll be left with the actual payout you may receive if you terminate or surrender your life insurance.

What happens when a life insurance policy is paid up?

A paid-up life insurance is a life insurance policy that is paid in full, remains in force, and you don't have to pay any more premiums. It stays in-force until the insured's death or if you terminate the policy. Paid-up life insurance is only an option for certain whole life insurance policies.

What does it mean when a plan is paid up?

A life insurance policy in which if all the premium payments are complete and the insured is free of all payment obligations, the policy stays intact until insured's death or termination of the policy is called paid-up policy.

Can I revive paid up policy?

Ans: The LIC policy revival process involves reinstating a lapsed policy by paying the outstanding premiums and any accumulated interest and fulfilling necessary requirements, such as a health declaration or medical examination.

Do you lose money when you surrender a life insurance policy?

The insurance company will pay you the cash surrender value, if there is any available. Generally, this is the cash value of the policy to date, less any loans, loan interest, premiums outstanding, or surrender fees. Your life insurance coverage ends, and some or all the money you receive may be subject to tax.

Do I have to pay taxes if I surrender my life insurance policy?

A life insurance policy's cash surrender value can be taxable. Any amount you receive over the policy's basis, or the amount you paid in premiums, can be taxed as income.

Why is life insurance so hard to sell?

Why Is Life Insurance So Hard To Sell? It's hard to sell because it deals with the topic of death. That's something many people find difficult to consider or discuss. Furthermore, it's hard to keep trying to sell because agents find that they can't make enough money to support themselves.