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Supplemental life insurance refers to the ability to build more coverage into your existing life insurance plan. From an accidental death benefit rider to term and whole life insurance, Aflac offers a variety of supplemental life insurance options to choose from for added peace of mind. Read on to learn more about what supplemental life insurance is and the types of benefits available.
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Supplemental life insurance is a type of policy that can add protection to the life insurance plan you already have. Supplemental coverage adds extra support that can come in handy if your current life insurance policy doesn’t cover enough or if you want specific benefits.
The main goal of obtaining a life insurance policy is to help protect your family in the event of a loss. However, a primary life insurance policy may not provide all the protection they need. Some companies offer you the option to add on extra coverage for your family, or you can get supplemental life insurance through a private insurance company.
Essentially, supplemental life insurance can provide extra support for your loved ones if you pass away unexpectedly.
Supplemental life insurance makes sense if you are hoping to expand your coverage beyond your own life. There are a few instances where some type of supplemental support can strengthen the benefits of a life insurance plan.
This type of coverage exists to help provide extra protection around accidents, funerals, and family support. You may be able to find specific supplemental solutions that fit your unique needs.
In some supplemental life insurance plans, you have the option to add coverage in the event of accidental death. This type of add-on rider can provide extra benefits if you were to pass suddenly due to an unintentional death or dismemberment.1 Accidental death and dismemberment insurance can be helpful because many families may not be financially prepared for the sudden loss of a loved one.
Aflac offers an accidental death benefit rider that you can add to your life insurance policy for added coverage. This rider provides an additional death benefit payout amount if the policyholder passes away due to a covered accident. Alternatively, Aflac offers accident insurance that pays benefits for a variety of covered accidents.
You may have the ability to add on coverage to help protect your children, acting as supplemental child term life insurance. This type of child term rider can can provide coverage if the child dies before a certain age.2 In some spaces, it can also be referred to as juvenile life insurance. This type of coverage may help provide solace in a destabilizing time.
In some cases, you can purchase additional coverage for your spouse. This can be referred to as supplemental spouse life insurance. This type of add-on can work with different types of policies, like term and whole life insurance.
The benefits you’ll receive from this type of supplemental life insurance depend on the coverage you choose. In some cases, spousal/domestic insurance plans offer coverage to your partner, which is a percentage of the primary policyholder’s plan.3
Joint life insurance is another option for dual-income married couples or business partners with an insurable interest. In some joint policies, the death benefit won’t be paid out until both partners pass away. This is sometimes called a "second-to-die" or a "survivorship life insurance" policy. Another option is having benefits that can be accessed when the first person dies, which is referred to as “first to die” policy. This is a popular choice for high-earning families, as it may have certain tax benefits.4 This type of plan is not available at all insurance companies, so do your research before obtaining this type of policy.
Final expense life insurance (sometimes referred to as burial insurance) is a type of whole life insurance policy with no medical exam that is designed to help loved ones prepare for the costs that come in the final stage of life. Final expense life insurance is typically less expensive than traditional life insurance as it has lower face amounts, usually not exceeding $50,000. Aflac offers final expense whole life insurance that can help your loved ones cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, legal and accounting costs, and funeral and burial costs after your passing.
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time typically ranging from 10 to 30 years. This type of policy can help cover temporary financial obligations, such as a mortgage, childcare expenses, or college tuition. You can add supplemental term life insurance to increase your overall death benefit beyond what’s provided by your employer or existing policy, helping ensure your family’s financial needs are met during key life stages. Aflac offers term life insurance with comprehensive coverage and reasonable premiums.
Whole life insurance is a type of permanent policy that provides coverage for your entire life. This policy includes a cash value growth component that you can borrow against or withdraw from once you’ve accumulated enough over time. You may choose to get supplemental whole life insurance if you’d like permanent coverage that extends beyond a workplace plan or to provide an inheritance or legacy for your family. Aflac offers whole life insurance that provides lifetime coverage for additional peace of mind.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedThe amount of supplemental life insurance you need may depend on factors such as how many dependents you have, your debts, and how long you need coverage. For instance, if you want coverage for a few years until your children become adults, supplemental term life insurance may be right for you. Consider the financial needs of your spouse or partner, children, parents, or other family members when deciding how much supplemental life insurance you should get.
Supplemental life insurance has many benefits that can help protect you and your loved ones. It may be worth considering if:
Whether you choose a plan through your employer or a private insurer, compare the available options carefully to find coverage that best fits your family’s needs.
Supplemental life insurance can help you get the additional coverage you and your loved ones need. Aflac offers a variety of life insurance policies that can be customized to fit your goals and stage of life. Chat with an Aflac agent today to see what life insurance policy and riders options we offer.
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Wondering what life insurance policy is best for you? Find out which type of life insurance can offer you the best coverage.
Child life insurance can guarantee coverage for them and can offer a cash value benefit later on. Learn what child life insurance is and the pros and cons.
Wondering what life insurance policy is best for you? Find out which type of life insurance can offer you the best coverage.
Child life insurance can guarantee coverage for them and can offer a cash value benefit later on. Learn what child life insurance is and the pros and cons.
1 Investopedia - Understanding Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. Updated September 27, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accidental-death-dismemberment-insurance.asp. Accessed February 20, 2026.
2 NerdWallet - Life Insurance Riders: What You Need to Know. Updated June 17, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/life/learn/life-insurance-riders. Accessed February 20, 2026.
3 NerdWallet - What Is Supplemental Life Insurance and Is It Worth It? Updated October 6, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/life/learn/supplemental-life-insurance. Accessed February 20, 2026.
4 Thrivent - How joint life insurance can help protect your family or business. Revised February 10, 2026. https://www.thrivent.com/insights/life-insurance/how-joint-life-insurance-can-help-protect-your-family-or-business. Accessed February 20, 2026.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Aflac life plans: A68000 series/Term Life - In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies ICC1368200, ICC1368300 & ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. A68000 series/Whole Life: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. B61000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In Delaware, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. Not available in New York. B60000 series/Whole Life - In Arkansas, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100. B60000 series/Term Life - ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Not available in Delaware. Q60000 series/Whole - In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term - In Arkansas, Idaho & Oklahoma, Policy ICC18Q60200M. In Delaware, Policy Q60200M. Not available in Virginia.
Accident (38000 series) In Arkansas, Policies A38100AR – A38300AR & A382OFAR. In Delaware, Policies A38100DE – A38300DE & A382OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A38100ID – A38300ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A38100OK – A38300OK & A382OFOK. In Virginia, Policies A38100VA – A38300VA & A382OFVA. Not available in New York or Pennsylvania.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
In AR, DE, ID, OK and VA: Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Accident (T37000 series) In Arkansas, Policy T37000ARR. In Delaware, Policy T37000. In Idaho, Policies T37100IDR, T37200IDR, & T37300IDR. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. In Virginia, Policies T37100VA, T37200VA, T37300VA, T37400VA, T37600VA. Not available in Guam, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico or Virgin Islands.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.
Coverage/plan levels may not be available in all states. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Benefits may also be taxable, and are not expected to receive the same favorable tax treatment as other types of accelerated death benefits that may be available.
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