a payment of a portion of

A benefit of life insurance that allows an insured who is terminally ill or unable to perform two or more activities of daily living without substantial assistance to ask that a portion of his or her life insurance benefit be payable in advance to pay for required care. The life insurance benefit payable at death is reduced by the amount of the accelerated benefit that is paid.

Some companies provide "accelerated death benefits," also known as "living benefits." This feature allows you, under certain circumstances, to receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy before you die. Such circumstances include terminal or catastrophic illness, the need for long-term care, or confinement to a nursing home.

an option on an