What type of life insurance primarily focuses on providing a death benefit only?

Term life insurance primarily focuses on providing a death benefit only for a specified period, typically ranging from one to thirty years. This type of insurance is designed to pay a benefit to the designated beneficiaries if the insured passes away during the term of the policy. If the insured survives the term, no benefit is paid, and the coverage ceases unless renewed or converted to another policy.

This characteristic distinguishes term life from other types of insurance. Whole life and universal life insurance, for example, not only provide a death benefit but also include a cash value component that grows over time. Variable life insurance also includes an investment feature, allowing the policyholder to invest cash value in various investment vehicles. Therefore, term life insurance’s sole focus on the death benefit within a specified time frame makes it the right answer.