What does a participating plan allow the policy owner to receive?

A participating plan, commonly associated with whole life insurance, allows policy owners to receive dividends. These dividends are a portion of the insurer's profit that is distributed to policyholders who participate in the plan. Unlike non-participating plans, which do not offer dividends, participating plans are designed to share the financial success of the insurance company with their policy owners.

Dividends can be used in various ways, such as reducing premium payments, purchasing additional insurance, or being taken as cash. This feature serves as an incentive for policyholders to invest in participating policies, as they potentially receive a return on their investment based on the company's performance. The ability to receive dividends enhances the overall value of a participating plan, making it an attractive option for many policy owners.