What happens to premiums in a paid up insurance scenario?

In a paid-up insurance scenario, premiums cease after the policyholder has paid sufficient premiums to provide a specified benefit, which means that the policy is considered "paid-up." While the coverage continues, it is typically at a reduced amount compared to the original policy. This reduction in coverage occurs because the insurance company takes into account the amount of premiums already paid and the policy's cash value, converting that into a reduced death benefit.

This mechanism allows policyholders to maintain some level of protection without the burden of ongoing premium payments. The policyholder effectively exchanges the right to pay further premiums for a smaller but still valuable insurance protection. Hence, the characteristic of paid-up insurance is that the coverage continues, albeit at a reduced level.