Why did I receive a 1099-R from my Life Ins Co when I never received a distribution? The form states "amount represents a policy gain from dividends exceeding premiums"

[KarenJ · Accepted solution]

The IRS considers dividends earned on a life insurance policy as a return of premium. Dividends become taxable once the total dividend earned exceeds the total net premiums paid. If the dividends earned on your policy exceeded the policy’s total net premiums paid, Box 7 on Form 1099-R will show a distribution code of 7.

[olepaint]

Would you walk me through how this is handled when filing my 2019 tax returns please.  We did receive the 1099-R and  it does indicate that the amount reported represents a policy gain resulting from dividends exceeding premiums. There was a 20% State tax withheld. I have a Box 1 gross distribution , a Box 2a taxable amount, and a box 5 amount. The dividends were put back into the policy. 

[jdhrdh]

The IRS considers dividends earned on a life insurance policy exceeding premiums a policy gain reported on Form 1099-R. Is this a non-qualified retirement distribution or a qualified retirement distribution?

[ErnieS0]

It is a non-qualified distribution. Alumni Tax Expert @RobertG provides an awesome explanation why in Are life insurance policies "Qualified" or "Non-Qualified" plans?