What is an accelerated death benefit rider on life insurance?

An accelerated death benefit (ADB) rider lets you access part of your own death benefit while you are still alive if you are diagnosed with a qualifying terminal, chronic, or sometimes critical illness. Instead of your beneficiaries receiving the money after you die, you can draw an advance, typically up to a set percentage of the face value, to pay for care, treatment, or living expenses. Any amount you take, plus interest and fees, is subtracted from the final payout to beneficiaries. Many insurers now include a basic terminal-illness ADB at no extra premium, while broader chronic-illness versions may cost more. It is one of the most useful riders because it turns life insurance into a partial safety net during a health crisis, not just a death benefit.