Cash surrender value

The cash surrender value of a permanent life insurance policy is the amount you receive if you cancel or surrender your policy before you die.

It's a portion of the money that accumulates tax-deferred in your cash value account during the period you pay premiums on the policy, minus fees and expenses.

Generally the only portion of the cash surrender value that's subject to income tax is the amount that exceeds what you paid in premiums during the time the policy was in force, though you should check with your tax adviser.