LIC Claim Guide: Death, Maturity, Survival Benefit and Pension Claims
A nominee claims an LIC death benefit by informing the nearest LIC branch, submitting the claim form, death certificate, policy details and KYC, and letting LIC verify the claim. IRDAI’s 2024 circular says an insurer should settle a death claim within 15 days of intimation, or within 45 days if an investigation is needed.
- Which LIC claim do you have?
- LIC death claim: step by step
- Documents for an LIC death claim
- Types of death claim and what to expect
- Nominee versus legal heir
- LIC maturity claim
- Survival benefit and money-back payments
- Pension and annuity claims
- Settlement time and what to do if it is delayed
- Common mistakes that delay LIC claims
- Frequently asked questions
Which LIC claim do you have?
LIC claims fall into four groups. The documents and the person who claims differ for each.
| Claim | When it arises | Who claims | Key documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death claim | The policyholder dies during the policy term | Nominee, assignee or legal heir | Claim form, death certificate, policy details, claimant KYC, bank proof |
| Maturity claim | The policy term ends | The policyholder | Discharge form, PAN and KYC, NEFT mandate, original policy bond where needed |
| Survival benefit or money-back | A due date in a money-back plan is reached | The policyholder | Policy in force, survival formalities, updated bank details |
| Pension or annuity | Regular payments, or the death of the annuitant | The annuitant; the nominee after death | Life certificate; death documents for the nominee |
LIC death claim: step by step
- Inform LIC. Tell the nearest LIC branch the policy number and the death of the insured person.
- Get the claim form. Ask LIC for the prescribed death claim form and its document list.
- Submit documents. Claim form, death certificate, policy details and claimant KYC.
- LIC verifies. LIC can check policy status, premium payment, nomination, cause of death and other records.
- Decision. LIC either accepts the claim and pays as per the policy terms, or asks for more information.
- Payment. An approved claim is paid into the bank account of the eligible claimant.
Keep copies of everything you submit and an acknowledgement for each submission.
Documents for an LIC death claim
| Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| LIC death claim form | Always, in the prescribed format |
| Death certificate | Issued by the municipal or competent authority |
| Original policy bond | If available and asked for |
| Claimant KYC | Aadhaar, PAN or other accepted ID |
| Bank proof | Cancelled cheque or passbook |
| Nomination or relationship proof | To show the claimant’s right |
| Medical and hospital records | Where the illness or treatment is relevant, or the death occurred in hospital |
| FIR and post-mortem report | Accidental or unnatural death, where applicable |
| Employer certificate | In some cases |
Types of death claim and what to expect
- Early death claim. Death in the early years of a policy, usually within three years of its start or revival. LIC may check the proposal information, medical history and material facts more closely, so records must be accurate.
- Natural death claim. Processed on the death certificate and necessary medical documents.
- Accidental death claim. Expect requests for the FIR or police report, post-mortem report, inquest report where applicable, hospital treatment records and accident details. These also matter for any accident benefit rider.
- Suicide-related claim. Decided under the policy’s suicide clause and the applicable provisions. It is not treated as an ordinary natural or accidental death claim.
Under Section 45 of the Insurance Act, once three years have passed since a life policy was issued or revived, the insurer generally cannot call it in question for misstatement unless it proves fraud. Within those three years, wrong or hidden information is examined more closely.
Nominee versus legal heir
This is the most misunderstood part of a death claim.
- The nominee is the person named in the policy.
- A legal heir is a person entitled under the applicable succession law.
- Under Section 39 of the Insurance Act, as amended in 2015, a nominee who is a parent, spouse or child of the policyholder is a beneficial nominee and is entitled to the proceeds. Other nominees receive the money on behalf of the legal heirs.
- Policies issued under Section 6 of the Married Women’s Property Act work differently, as a trust for the wife and children.
- Assignment, nomination and succession can all affect who is paid.
Because the legal position differs from case to case, do not assume that being a nominee or a family member settles the question. Take legal advice for disputed cases.
LIC maturity claim
When the policy term ends, the policyholder can receive the maturity benefit as per the policy conditions.
- LIC discharge form
- PAN and KYC
- Bank NEFT mandate and a cancelled cheque or bank proof
- Original policy bond, where required
- Any other document LIC asks for
A lapsed policy, an outstanding policy loan, an assignment or unpaid dues can reduce the amount payable. Check the policy status a few months before maturity.
Survival benefit and money-back payments
Some money-back plans pay a survival benefit at fixed intervals. Before each due date, check these points:
- The policy is in force.
- You know the survival benefit due date.
- Any survival declaration or other formality is done.
- Your bank details are up to date.
- No policy loan or deduction is pending.
Pension and annuity claims
Pension and annuity plans differ in payment frequency and in what they require, such as a life certificate. If the annuitant dies, the nominee or beneficiary claims as per the option chosen. Ask LIC for the exact requirements for your plan.
Settlement time and what to do if it is delayed
Under the IRDAI Master Circular on Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, 2024 (Ref. IRDAI/PP&GR/CIR/MISC/117/9/2024, 5 September 2024), a death claim should be settled within 15 days of intimation, and within 45 days where an investigation is needed. The circular also says a claim should not be rejected or closed merely for want of documents or delayed intimation, although you should still intimate and submit without delay. IRDAI rules provide for interest on delayed settlement.
If LIC delays or rejects the claim, follow the steps in our claim rejection and grievance guide.
Common mistakes that delay LIC claims
- Delaying the intimation to LIC
- Submitting an incomplete claim form or wrong bank details
- Not keeping an acknowledgement for submitted documents
- Hiding or misstating the cause of death or medical history
- Ignoring LIC’s queries instead of answering them in writing
- Not updating nominations after marriage, birth of a child or death of a nominee
- Assuming a nominee is always the final owner of the money
- Not checking the policy status before maturity
Frequently asked questions
How long does LIC take to settle a death claim?
IRDAI’s 2024 circular says death claims should be settled within 15 days of intimation, or within 45 days if an investigation is needed. Actual time also depends on the completeness of the documents.
Who can claim an LIC death benefit?
The nominee named in the policy can claim. Under Section 39 of the Insurance Act, a nominee who is a parent, spouse or child is a beneficial nominee. Other nominees receive the money on behalf of the legal heirs.
Are an FIR and post-mortem report mandatory?
No. They are needed mainly for accidental or unnatural deaths, where applicable. Other deaths are usually processed on the death certificate and necessary medical records.
What documents are needed for an LIC maturity claim?
Usually the discharge form, PAN and KYC, a bank NEFT mandate with cancelled cheque or bank proof, and the original policy bond where required.
Can LIC reject a claim because I informed it late?
IRDAI’s 2024 circular says no claim should be rejected or closed for want of documents or delayed intimation. Even so, inform LIC and submit documents promptly, because delay makes verification harder.
What if the policy had lapsed before the death?
The amount payable depends on whether the policy was in force, paid-up or lapsed on the date of death. Ask LIC for the exact position under your policy conditions.
Need help with your claim?
Binod Kumar Shukla provides claim assistance: documents, coordination with the insurer, follow-up and escalation guidance. The insurer takes the final decision as per the policy terms.
Claim assistanceWhatsApp 9911581705Related guides
Sources: IRDAI Master Circular on Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, 2024 (Ref. IRDAI/PP&GR/CIR/MISC/117/9/2024, 5 September 2024); Insurance Act, 1938 (Sections 39 and 45); LIC of India policy conditions and claim forms at licindia.in.
This guide is general information for policyholders and is not legal advice. Claim approval, amount and timeline depend on your policy terms, the facts of the loss and the insurer’s assessment; we cannot guarantee any claim outcome. Rules and limits change, so please confirm the current position with your insurer or the regulator. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. Binod Kumar Shukla is an IRDAI-certified Insurance Advisor and an agent of LIC of India, National Insurance Company and Niva Bupa, a Chief Life Insurance Advisor (CLIA) and LIC Chairman’s Club member, and an AMFI-registered Mutual Fund Distributor (ARN-50844, EUIN E053991). Claim assistance is provided for documentation, coordination and process guidance; it is not a guarantee of any claim outcome. Reviewed 7 November 2026.