What is a common feature of accelerated benefits related to terminal illness?

When discussing accelerated benefits related to terminal illness, one commonly recognized feature is that they reduce the remaining death benefit. This means that when a policyholder accesses their accelerated benefits due to a terminal illness, they receive a portion of their life insurance benefits while still alive. However, this payout decreases the amount of death benefit that will be available to beneficiaries upon the policyholder's death.

Such provisions are designed to provide immediate financial relief to individuals facing high medical expenses or changes in lifestyle choices due to their condition. By providing access to funds early, the insured can manage their care and potentially improve their quality of life during their remaining time.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe this feature. For example, accelerated benefits are typically not required to be reimbursed after purchase, nor do they increase the total death benefit. They're generally not contingent on the insured's age, though there might be specific age-related stipulations in certain policies regarding the initiation of benefits. Understanding how accelerated benefits affect the total death benefit is crucial for both policyholders and beneficiaries in managing their expectations and planning.