Surrender Charge

Surrender Charge

1. A fee one must pay when canceling a life insurance policy. A surrender charge is levied to encourage a policyholder to remain with the same insurer.

2. A fee one must pay to a mutual fund for selling one's shares within a certain period of time. For example, one may be required to pay a surrender charge if one sells shares in the first year or two of ownership. The surrender charge exists to encourage stability in ownership of the mutual fund; that is, it discourages traders from speculating on the fund.

3. A penalty charge one owes if one makes a premature withdrawal from an annuity, insurance contract, or some other investment vehicles.