Some life insurance policies and annuity products offer a return of premium rider (ROP), typically for a fee, to help make the products more flexible. An ROP rider ensures that, under certain circumstances, you or your beneficiaries receive a refund on the price or premiums you paid into your life insurance or annuity policy. 

In both cases, the ROP riders guarantee you don’t lose your contributions or ‘premium.’ Read on to learn more about how this add-on works.

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What’s a return of premium rider?

ROP riders are optional add-ons to your life insurance or annuity policies. An example of the Life insurance ROP rider is the return of your premiums if you outlive the policy. An annuity ROPs provide your beneficiaries with the difference between the total premiums paid and the income already received if you die before payouts are complete. 

While you generally have to pay to add an ROP rider onto a contract, you can have peace of mind that you or your heirs will still potentially benefit from your contributions

How does the return of premium rider work in life insurance and annuities?

Life insurance and annuity ROPs have a few differences, which we’ll cover below.

Life insurance

A return of premium life insurance policy ensures that if you outlive your term, you get a partial or full refund on the premiums you’ve already paid.

Say you sign up for a 20-year life insurance policy. If you die within that timeframe, your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit. But if you live longer than 20 years, the provider will return some or all of the payments you made to secure that insurance.

As an added bonus, the IRS doesn’t typically tax these funds. They’re considered more like a refund of your money than income.

Annuities

With an annuity, a return of premium rider is more intended for your beneficiaries. If you die before receiving all the payments you’re due, the difference between the total premiums paid and the income already received will go to your heirs.

For example, imagine you put $50,000 into an annuity and received $25,000 before your death. The insurance company will pay $25,000 to your designated beneficiaries.

It’s important to note that this benefit won’t apply if there’s no value remaining in the contract. For instance, life annuities continue sending payments even after the principal runs out. If you die after this point, your beneficiaries won’t continue getting distributions.

Tax regulations for annuity ROPs depend on whether the account is qualified or non-qualified. Qualified annuities are funded with pre-tax dollars, so the owner doesn’t pay taxes on the original principal. This means beneficiaries will owe taxes on both the initial contribution and any earnings. Non-qualified annuities are funded with after-tax dollars, so the IRS only charges income tax on the earnings.

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Return of premium pros and cons

Before adding an ROP to your account, weigh the following factors.

ROP rider pros

• Premium protection: If you don’t take full advantage of a contract, you or your heirs will get at least some of your money back. 
• Life insurance tax advantages: With life insurance ROPs, you’re receiving a refund of money the IRS has already taxed. This means you won’t owe additional taxes if you outlive your policy. 
• Peace of mind: An ROP rider eliminates the worry of wasting money on coverage you might never need or use entirely.

ROP rider cons

• Higher premiums: Adding an ROP to your policy typically costs money. Annuity investors may pay an additional 0.25–1.5% of the contract’s value, while life insurance premiums could increase by 30–100%.
• Opportunity cost: Rather than putting additional funds into an ROP, you could invest in other assets and potentially earn more than you’d get back from the ROP refund.
• Lack of flexibility: If you stop paying premiums or cancel the policy early, you might forfeit the ROP benefit. Always read the fine print. 
• Limited availability: Not every life insurance policy or annuity product offers the ROP rider.

What type of insurance would be used for a return of premium rider?

With life insurance, you’d typically purchase an ROP for a term policy. It ensures that you receive a refund on all premiums paid if you are still alive when the term — usually 10, 20, or 30 years — expires. 

Generally, you won’t see ROP riders on permanent life insurance. These accounts usually last as long as the policyholder is alive, so there may be no way to outlive the term.

Most annuity contracts allow you to add an ROP rider to the policy, although availability will vary depending on your provider. 

Create a secure financial plan with Gainbridge

ROP riders offer protection and peace of mind for cautious investors, but they’re not the only way to safeguard your financial future without risking your original investment or contribution. Gainbridge’s annuities can provide flexible options that protect you and your beneficiaries. And with no hidden fees or commissions, you can keep more of your savings intact. Discover how Gainbridge can support your financial planning today.

‍This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be interpreted as, individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. For advice concerning your own situation please contact the appropriate professional. The GainbridgeⓇ digital platform provides informational and educational resources intended only for self-directed purposes.