Which of the following terms refers specifically to payouts made to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured?

The term that specifically refers to payouts made to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured is the death benefit. In the context of life insurance policies, the death benefit is the amount of money that is paid to the designated beneficiaries when the insured individual passes away. This payment is fundamental to life insurance, as it provides financial support to the beneficiaries in the event of the insured's death, helping to cover expenses such as funeral costs, mortgage payments, or other debts.

In contrast, other terms do not pertain directly to death payouts. The premium return refers to the reimbursement of premiums paid, typically seen in some specialized insurance products, rather than a benefit paid upon death. Investment gain relates to profits earned from investments, which does not apply specifically to death benefits. Payout dividends can refer to distributions made to policyholders in mutual insurance companies, which are also not direct death benefits but rather profits shared from the insurer's performance. Thus, death benefit is the correct and specific term for life insurance payouts made to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.