What are Policy Dividends considered to be?

Policy dividends are considered to be a return of part of the premiums paid. In the context of participating life insurance policies, dividends occur when the insurance company performs better than expected in terms of investment returns, mortality rates, and underwriting expenses. Since participating policies are structured to allow policyholders to share in the company’s profits, these dividends essentially represent a portion of the excess premium that was charged for the insurance coverage.

When a policyholder receives a dividend, it is important to understand that it is not a guarantee; rather, it can fluctuate based on the company's performance. Thus, policy dividends can serve as a financial benefit to policyholders, providing them with options on how to use the dividends, such as taking it in cash, applying it to premiums, or using it to purchase additional insurance. This return on premiums highlights how dividends are a form of benefit for policyholders who choose participating policies, reinforcing the idea that these dividends reflect the policyholder's investment in the insurance company.