Lincoln Financial introduced a new accelerated death benefit rider for its group term life offering in Texas, allowing insured employees and eligible dependents to access a portion of their life insurance while still alive under qualifying conditions.

The filing, submitted on March 27, 2026 on a review and approval basis, applies to existing group term life policy and certificate series and is structured as an insert page rather than a standalone product or replacement. It carries no rate impact and is intended for employer-sponsored group life plans distributed through agents and brokers.

The rider enables insured individuals diagnosed with a terminal condition to receive a lump sum payment drawn from their life insurance benefit. The payout is capped based on the lesser of several thresholds, including a percentage of the policy value and a fixed maximum, with minimum payment levels also defined.

Eligibility requires physician certification and supporting documentation confirming a terminal condition, along with standard claims forms and disclosures. The insurer retains the right to request an independent medical examination, although the insured’s physician opinion prevails in case of conflict.

From a design standpoint, the benefit introduces flexibility through variable parameters, including payout percentages, minimum and maximum benefit amounts, and definitions tied to life expectancy. The accelerated benefit reduces the remaining life insurance payable at death and may have implications for taxes and eligibility for public assistance programs, positioning it as both a financial planning tool and a supplemental liquidity option in end-of-life scenarios.

The addition aligns with broader industry trends toward embedding living benefits within traditional life products, particularly in the employer group market where such features can enhance perceived value without altering core pricing structures.