Family Income Benefit vs Term Life Insurance UK

Protecting your family's financial future is one of the most profound responsibilities we face. In the event of your death, the emotional toll on your loved ones would be immense. The last thing they need is the added burden of financial instability. This is where life insurance steps in, acting as a crucial safety net.

In the UK, two of the most popular and effective forms of protection are Term Life Insurance and Family Income Benefit. While both are designed to provide for your dependants if you pass away, they work in fundamentally different ways. Choosing the right one—or a combination of both—can be the difference between simply leaving a sum of money and providing a carefully structured financial future.

Navigating the world of insurance can feel complex, with jargon and nuances at every turn. That’s why we've created this definitive guide. We will demystify these policies, explore who they're best suited for, and give you the clarity needed to make a truly informed decision.

WeCovr compares two popular policy types side by side

At its heart, the choice between Family Income Benefit (FIB) and Term Life Insurance hinges on one key question: would your family be better served by a single, large lump sum of cash, or a steady, regular income stream that mimics a monthly salary?

There is no single "correct" answer; the optimal solution is deeply personal and depends on your family's specific needs, your financial circumstances, and what you want to achieve with your policy. Let's break down each option in detail to see which one aligns best with your goals.

What is Term Life Insurance? A Deep Dive

Term Life Insurance is perhaps the most well-known type of life cover in the UK. Its concept is straightforward: you are covered for a fixed period, known as the 'term'. If you were to pass away within this term, the policy pays out a pre-agreed, tax-free cash lump sum to your beneficiaries. If you survive the term, the policy ends, and no payout is made.

Think of it as a financial shield for a specific period of your life, typically when your financial obligations are at their peak—while your children are growing up, or while you have a large mortgage.

There are three main variants of Term Life Insurance:

1. Level Term Insurance (illustrative): The amount of cover (the 'sum assured') and your monthly premiums remain fixed for the entire policy term. If you have a £300,000 policy for 25 years, it will pay out £300,000 whether you pass away in year 2 or year 24.

   • Best for: Covering an interest-only mortgage, providing a specific inheritance amount, or covering potential Inheritance Tax liabilities.

2. Decreasing Term Insurance: The sum assured decreases over the policy term, usually designed to mirror a repayment mortgage or other large loan. As you pay off your debt, the amount of cover needed reduces. Because the insurer's liability falls over time, premiums are typically lower than for level term cover.

   • Best for: Covering a repayment mortgage, where the outstanding capital is constantly reducing.

3. Increasing Term Insurance: The sum assured grows each year, usually by a set percentage or in line with a measure of inflation like the Retail Prices Index (RPI). This is designed to protect the future purchasing power of the payout from being eroded by inflation. Premiums for this type of cover are higher and may also increase over the term.

   • Best for: Those who want to ensure their family's payout retains its real-world value over a long term.

Real-Life Example: The Role of Level Term Insurance

Meet James and Chloe, both 35. They have an interest-only mortgage of £250,000 and want to ensure the debt is cleared if one of them dies. They also want to leave an additional £50,000 as a financial buffer for their two children. They take out a joint Level Term Insurance policy for £300,000 over a 25-year term, to match their mortgage. If either of them passes away during this period, the policy pays out £300,000, allowing the surviving partner to clear the mortgage and have a safety net. (illustrative estimate)

What is Family Income Benefit? Your Regular Financial Safety Net

Family Income Benefit (FIB) is a less commonly known but incredibly effective type of life insurance. Instead of paying a single lump sum, it is designed to provide your family with a regular, tax-free income stream if you die.

The payments start from the date a claim is made and continue until the end of the policy's pre-agreed term. Its primary purpose is to replace the lost monthly salary of a parent or partner, ensuring that day-to-day bills, household expenses, and childcare costs continue to be met without disruption.

How does the payout work?

The crucial thing to understand about FIB is that the total amount paid out depends on when a claim is made.

Let's say you take out a 20-year FIB policy designed to pay £2,000 per month (£24,000 per year). (illustrative estimate)

• Illustrative estimate: If you pass away in Year 1, your family will receive £2,000 every month for the remaining 19 years. The total payout would be £456,000.
• Illustrative estimate: If you pass away in Year 15, your family will receive £2,000 every month for the remaining 5 years. The total payout would be £120,000.
• If you pass away after the 20-year term, the policy expires and there is no payout.

Because the insurer's potential liability decreases with each passing year, FIB premiums are often significantly more affordable than a Level Term policy that might provide a comparable overall benefit.

Real-Life Example: How Family Income Benefit Works in Practice

Meet Aisha, a 32-year-old marketing manager and mother to a 3-year-old. She wants to ensure her child is financially supported until they are at least 21. She takes out a Family Income Benefit policy with an 18-year term, set to pay out £1,500 per month. If Aisha were to die five years into the policy, her family would receive £1,500 every month for the remaining 13 years, providing a steady, predictable income to cover living costs and school-related expenses. (illustrative estimate)

Family Income Benefit vs. Term Life Insurance: The Side-by-Side Showdown

Now that we understand the mechanics of each policy, let's put them head-to-head to compare their key features. This direct comparison will help illuminate which policy, or combination of policies, is the right fit for you.

Digging Deeper into the Differences

1. The Payout: Lump Sum vs. Income Stream

This is the most fundamental difference. A lump sum from a term policy provides immediate capital. It’s perfect for paying off a mortgage, clearing all outstanding debts, and providing a clean slate. However, it also presents a challenge. A grieving partner or family member is suddenly tasked with managing a very large sum of money. They must decide how to invest it to make it last, a daunting task at the best of times, let alone during a period of immense stress.

An income stream from FIB, on the other hand, removes this burden. It provides financial stability in a format that is familiar and easy to manage: a monthly income. This ensures that the rent is paid, the food shopping is done, and the utility bills are covered, month after month. It provides structure and predictability when everything else feels uncertain.

2. Cost-Effectiveness and Value

For young families, FIB often represents incredible value for money. Let's imagine you want to provide your family with £30,000 per year for 20 years. (illustrative estimate)

• Lump Sum Approach (illustrative): To generate £30,000 a year from an investment, you would need a very large lump sum. Even assuming a 4% annual return, you'd need a starting pot of £750,000. A Level Term policy for this amount would carry a substantial premium.
• FIB Approach (illustrative): You could simply take out a FIB policy to pay £2,500 per month (£30,000 per year) for a 20-year term. The premium for this would be a fraction of the cost of the £750,000 level term policy. This is because the insurer's risk reduces over time.

This affordability makes robust protection accessible to more families, especially those on a tighter budget.

3. Aligning the Policy with the Need

The best choice is the one that solves your biggest financial problem.

• Illustrative estimate: Is your primary concern a £200,000 mortgage? A decreasing term policy is purpose-built for this.
• Is your primary concern how your partner will pay the nursery fees, weekly shop, and car finance each month? Family Income Benefit is the perfect fit.

The good news is, you don't have to choose. Many people find the optimal solution is a combination of both.

Which Policy Fits Your Life? Real-World Scenarios Explored

Financial protection is not a one-size-fits-all product. The right strategy depends on your unique circumstances, your dependants, and your financial landscape. Let's look at some common scenarios.

Scenario 1: The Young Family with a Mortgage

• The Household (illustrative): The Patels, Liam (33) and Sophie (32), have two young children aged 3 and 5. They have a £275,000 repayment mortgage with 28 years remaining. Liam earns £45,000 and Sophie earns £35,000.
• The Challenge: If one of them were to die, the surviving partner would struggle to cover the mortgage and all the family's living costs on a single salary.
• The Solution: A Hybrid Approach
  1. Decreasing Term Insurance (illustrative): They take out a joint decreasing term policy for £275,000 over 28 years. This is specifically to clear the mortgage. The decreasing nature keeps the premiums low.
  2. Family Income Benefit (illustrative): They each take out a personal FIB policy. Liam's policy is set to pay out £2,000 a month and Sophie's is set to pay £1,500 a month. Both policies run for a 20-year term, to see their youngest child through to age 23. This will replace a significant portion of their lost income, covering everything from bills to school trips.

By combining policies, the Patels have created a comprehensive safety net that addresses both their capital debt and their ongoing income needs in a cost-effective way.

Scenario 2: The Self-Employed Freelancer

• The Household (illustrative): Chloe (41) is a self-employed consultant. She is a single parent to a 12-year-old son. She has a small mortgage of £100,000 and her income, while good, can be inconsistent.
• The Challenge: Chloe's biggest worry is her fluctuating income. If she were to die, she wants to ensure her son is cared for and her mortgage is cleared. But if she were to fall seriously ill and be unable to work, the financial impact would be immediate.
• The Solution: A Protection Portfolio
  1. Family Income Benefit (illustrative): Chloe takes out a FIB policy to pay £2,500 per month for a 10-year term, until her son is 22. This is her primary safety net to cover their cost of living. 2decreasing term insurance for £100,000 to clear her mortgage. (illustrative estimate)
  2. Income Protection: Crucially, Chloe also takes out an Income Protection policy. This is different from life insurance. It will pay her a monthly income if she is unable to work due to any illness or injury, not just death. For a freelancer, this is arguably the most important policy of all, protecting her from the financial fallout of being unable to earn.

Scenario 3: The Established Company Director

• The Household: Mark (52) is a director of a successful engineering firm. His children are financially independent, and his mortgage is paid off.
• The Challenge: Mark's main concerns are now different. He wants to leave a tax-efficient legacy for his children and grandchildren, and he is aware that his estate will likely face a significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill.
• The Solution: IHT Planning with Life Insurance
  1. Whole of Life Insurance: Instead of term insurance (which expires), Mark opts for a Whole of Life policy. This guarantees a payout whenever he dies. He places the policy in a Trust.
  2. The Trust: By writing the policy in trust, the payout goes directly to his beneficiaries and does not form part of his legal estate. This means the payout itself is not subject to IHT and can be used by his children to pay the IHT bill on the rest of his estate, ensuring the assets he built up can be passed on intact.

These scenarios show how different life stages and professions call for different protection strategies. Speaking with an expert advisor, like the team at WeCovr, can help you build the right portfolio for your unique situation.

Beyond the Basics: Enhancing Your Cover with Critical Illness

Death is not the only event that can devastate a family's finances. A serious illness can be just as impactful, leading to a loss of income and increased costs for medical care and home adaptations.

According to Cancer Research UK, 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports that in 2022, insurers paid out over £1.2 billion in critical illness claims, with the average payout being over £67,000.

Both Term Life Insurance and Family Income Benefit can be enhanced by adding Critical Illness Cover.

• How it works: If you are diagnosed with one of a specific list of serious conditions defined in the policy (such as some forms of cancer, heart attack, or stroke), the policy pays out.
• With Term Life: This is usually a lump sum payout.
• With FIB: This could trigger the monthly income payments to start, helping you manage financially while you recover.

Adding Critical Illness Cover will increase your premium, but it provides a much more comprehensive safety net, protecting you against both death and serious illness.

At WeCovr, we are passionate about our clients' holistic health. We believe that proactive health management is as important as having the right insurance. That's why, in addition to finding you the perfect policy, we provide our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's our way of going the extra mile, helping you stay on top of your health goals and live a longer, healthier life.

How Much Does It Cost? Understanding Premiums

The cost of life insurance is highly personal and depends on a range of factors. Insurers calculate your premium based on the level of risk they are taking on. Key factors include:

• Age: The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper your premiums will be.
• Health: Your medical history, height, weight (BMI), and family medical history are all considered.
• Lifestyle: Smokers or those who vape pay significantly more than non-smokers. Hazardous hobbies can also increase costs.
• Occupation: A desk-based job is lower risk than a manual trade like a scaffolder or electrician.
• Policy Type: As discussed, FIB is often cheaper than Level Term.
• Term Length: A 30-year term will cost more than a 15-year term.
• Cover Amount: The higher the sum assured or monthly benefit, the higher the premium.

To give you a rough idea, here are some purely illustrative monthly premiums for a 35-year-old, non-smoker, in a low-risk administrative role, seeking cover for a 25-year term.

Please note: These are examples only and not a quote. The only way to get an accurate price is to get a personalised quote based on your individual details. This is where an independent broker like WeCovr is invaluable. We scan the market, comparing policies and prices from all the UK's leading insurers to find you the most suitable cover at the most competitive price.

Getting Covered: The Application Process and the Importance of Trusts

Taking out a life insurance policy is a straightforward process.

1. Quote & Advice: You discuss your needs and get quotes.
2. Application: You complete an application form, which includes detailed questions about your health, lifestyle, occupation, and family history. It is vitally important to be completely honest here. Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy.
3. Underwriting: The insurer assesses your application. They may request a report from your GP or ask you to attend a short medical examination (though this is less common for younger, healthier applicants).
4. Offer of Terms: The insurer provides you with the final terms and premium.
5. Policy Start: Once you accept and set up your direct debit, you are covered.

An Essential Step: Writing Your Policy in a Trust

This is one of the most important and often-overlooked aspects of life insurance. A trust is a simple legal arrangement that you can set up (usually for free) with your insurer. It legally separates your life insurance policy from your personal assets (your 'estate').

Placing your policy in trust has three game-changing benefits:

1. Avoids Probate: When you die, your estate has to go through a legal process called probate before any assets can be distributed. This can take many months, or even years. A policy in trust is not part of the estate, so the payout can be made to your beneficiaries much faster—often within weeks of the death certificate being issued. This provides your family with cash when they need it most.
2. Avoids Inheritance Tax (IHT): Because the policy is not part of your estate, the payout is not typically subject to the 40% Inheritance Tax. For a large policy, this can save your family a huge amount of money.
3. Gives You Control: You appoint 'trustees' (people you trust, like a sibling or a family friend) to manage the payout and ensure it goes to the 'beneficiaries' (e.g., your partner and children) exactly as you intended.

For the vast majority of people, writing a life insurance policy in trust is a simple, free, and hugely beneficial step.

Protection for the Pillars of Business: Directors, Freelancers, and the Self-Employed

While personal policies like FIB and Term Insurance are essential, business owners and directors have additional needs to consider. The financial health of a business can often be tied to a few key individuals.

• Key Person Insurance: This is a life or critical illness policy taken out by the business, on a key employee or director. If that person dies or becomes critically ill, the policy pays out to the business. This cash injection can be used to cover lost profits, recruit a replacement, or repay business loans, ensuring the company survives.
• Relevant Life Cover: This is a tax-efficient death-in-service benefit for directors and employees of small businesses. The company pays the premiums, which are typically an allowable business expense. If the employee dies, the payout goes directly to their family, free of IHT. It's a highly valued employee benefit that doesn't count towards annual pension allowances.
• Executive Income Protection: Similar to personal income protection, but the policy is owned and paid for by the business. It provides a replacement income to an employee or director if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. Again, the premiums are usually a tax-deductible expense for the company.

A comprehensive protection plan for a business owner involves a blend of personal and business policies to create a safety net for both their family and their company.

Making the Right Choice for Your Family's Future

Choosing between Family Income Benefit and Term Life Insurance isn't a matter of one being "better" than the other. It's about which tool is right for the job you need it to do.

• Term Life Insurance is your financial sledgehammer. It's designed to demolish large, one-off capital debts and leave a significant lump sum legacy. It's ideal for clearing a mortgage and providing your family with a debt-free foundation.

• Family Income Benefit is your financial toolkit for everyday life. It's designed to methodically replace a lost salary, ensuring the monthly rhythm of family life—bills, groceries, school costs—can continue without interruption. It offers predictability and peace of mind.

For many, the most robust and resilient financial plan is not an either/or choice. It's a carefully constructed combination of a decreasing term policy to handle the mortgage, and a Family Income Benefit policy to handle the monthly budget. This hybrid approach covers all bases, providing both a debt-free home and a secure monthly income.

The world of protection can seem daunting, but you don't have to navigate it alone. The right advice is crucial to ensure you're not paying for cover you don't need, or worse, leaving your family underinsured. By understanding your unique needs, we can help you build a tailored, affordable, and effective protection portfolio that truly safeguards what matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sources

• Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
• Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
• HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.