Notifications from Aflac

We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Oregon policyholders residing in Oregon who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Sept. 3, 2025, and ending Nov. 26, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for Arizona policyholders residing in Gila, Mohave, and Maricopa Counties affected by the heavy rains, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Sept. 25, 2025, and ending Jan. 13, 2026. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for Alaska policyholders and certificate holders residing in Northwest Arctic Borough, North Slope Borough, Kusilvak Census Area, Bethel Census Area, Nome Census Area, and Aleutians West Census Area who are affected by the storm, Aflac will provide an extended premium grace period starting Oct. 9, 2025, and ending Dec. 15, 2025. This grace period also includes an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other actions required under the policy or certificate. In addition, Aflac will relax prescription drug benefit guidelines to allow payment of claims when a covered prescription drug is refilled prior to the usual 30-day limit. Policyholders and certificate holders may also request a replacement copy of their policy or certificate.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

Aflac is providing temporary relaxation of precertification and referral requirements. Members will have access to appropriate out-of-network providers if in-network providers are unavailable or if they have been displaced, and leniency will be provided for any other actions required under the certificate. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefits Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.


Aflac offers premium grace period for federal government employees:

Aflac is offering a grace period for premium payments to help provide relief for policyholders employed by the Federal government who are not receiving pay during the government shutdown. This grace period will begin on October 1, 2025, and extend until payroll resumes for these government employees. Eligible policyholders may inquire about the grace period by calling (888) 515-1941.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties affected by the Lightning ignited fires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Sept. 2, 2025, and ending Nov. 18, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Trinity County affected by the Dec. 15, 2024, and Dec. 29, 2024, winter storms, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent levee failure:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in San Joaquin County affected by the Oct. 21, 2024, Victoria Island Levee failure, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


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Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

Cash value is the amount of money you can build up while you pay for types of permanent life insurance. When you want to access these funds, you may withdraw from the policy, borrow against it through a policy loan, or accept the cash surrender value by giving up the policy. Aflac offers whole life insurance with cash value that can give you lifelong coverage. Let’s take a closer look at the surrender value of life insurance and how it works.

3 Min Read

Key Takeaways

  • Cash surrender value is the amount you will receive if you choose to cancel or surrender your policy before your passing.
  • Calculating your cash surrender value is as simple as adding up the total payments you’ve made and subtracting the surrender fees your insurer will charge.
  • Aflac whole life insurance policies accrue cash value and will provide coverage for your entire life if you continue paying premiums.

How does cash surrender value of life insurance work?

Permanent life insurance policies, like whole life or universal life insurance, accumulate cash value that adds to the death benefit as you pay your premiums over time. This increases the overall value of the policy, which you may access in the form of living benefits, borrowing against the value, or getting the cash surrender value if you surrender your policy.

The cash surrender value is what you receive if you choose to cancel or surrender your life insurance policy. It deducts surrender fees or any funds required to repay loans or premiums that haven’t been paid. Typically, surrender fees range between 0% and 10% of the policy’s cash value and decrease each year.1

Types of life insurance with cash surrender value

Not all types of life insurance come with a cash surrender value. Here are a few types that do:

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is a permanent life policy that offers coverage for your entire life. It has a guaranteed death benefit and cash value component that accumulates interest over time.2 Whole life insurance might make sense if you’re a high earner or have long-term financial obligations.

Universal life insurance

Universal life insurance is a type of flexible permanent life policy. It can allow you to increase or decrease your premium payments.3 If you decide to decrease the amount you spend on premiums, you can expect the difference to be withdrawn from your cash value.

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How to calculate your cash surrender value

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.

Alternatives to surrendering your life insurance policy

If you don’t want to cancel your life insurance policy, here are some alternative ways to use its cash value:

Withdraw funds

You can typically withdrawal from the cash value in your account. However, the money you withdraw will be subtracted from the overall death benefit that your beneficiaries stand to receive after your death.

Borrow against the cash value

You may take out a life insurance loan that uses your policy as collateral. In the event you still owe money when you pass away, that amount will be deducted from your death benefit. The more cash value you accumulate, the more you can borrow.

Use cash value to pay premiums

If you’re struggling to make premium payments, you may be able to use funds from your cash value to cover them. That way, you can avoid surrendering the policy entirely. Just keep in mind that this will also reduce your death benefit.

Should I get the cash surrender value of my life insurance policy?

There are several instances where you might consider surrendering a life insurance policy and receiving the cash surrender value:

  • You need access to cash: If you need money for emergency expenses or to put toward a major financial goal, like college savings, the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy can help.
  • You're making changes to the policy: If you want to switch to a different insurance company, switch from whole life insurance to term life insurance, or you no longer want a policy, you can choose to access the cash surrender value.
  • You’ve changed jobs: If you get a new job and your new employer offers a free or discounted life insurance policy, it may make sense to take the cash surrender value of your current policy and switch to the new one.

Whether or not surrendering your policy for the cash surrender value makes sense depends on your unique financial situation and goals.

Get a quote for whole life insurance

Surrendering your life insurance policy is not always advisable, but it can be a way to get access to the cash value the policy has accumulated during your life. Aflac offers whole life insurance plans with cash value that can help you and your family meet your financial goals. Chat with an agent today to explore your life insurance options and get a quote.

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Learn more about Aflac products for Individuals & Families: