Unit-linked investment plans (or ULIPs) serve as comprehensive investment options which provide investors with the benefits of market returns as well as an insurance cover. Not only does this investment tool allow you to multiply and enhance your invested amount but it also allows you to avail of insurance coverage for yourself.
By investing in a Unit-Linked Investment Plan, the insurance company directs a segment of your money towards market linked financial products which may range from equity shares to bonds. The remainder of your money is directed towards a life insurance policy. Serving as long term investment plans, ULIP plans have a five year lock-in period tethered to them. These plans provide policyholders with tax benefits outlined in Section 80 C and Section 10 D of the Income Tax Act. Profits drawn from these holdings are, to the benefit of investors, exempt from taxes imposed under long-term capital gains tax.
In order to invest in an ULIP plan, you must meet the age criteria outlined in the plan under consideration. Investing in such a plan is a possibility when your age falls within the specified range at the time of the plan’s maturity mentioned in such a policy’s terms and conditions.
Listed below are some of the many reasons that make unit linked investment plans worth purchasing.
For starters, such investment plans provide policyholders with the benefits that investing brings with it without being burdened by having to pay taxes that are ordinarily levied on investments. As per the income tax act of 1961, savings are possible as per section 80( C) at the time of contribution as well as during withdrawal as per section (10D)
One of the primary reasons you ought to consider purchasing a ULIP is because it allows you to be financially independent even once you have stopped working. While it is important to focus on fulfilling financial and aspirational goals that your family might have, it is equally important to carve out funds that will help you once you retire. With a Unit-Linked Investment Plan it is possible to save money for your future.
Rather than letting your money sit idle it is worth investing it in the form of a viable Unit-Linked Investment Plan that is aligned with your life goals and threshold for risk. Such a plan provides you with the dual benefits of investment and insurance which help multiply your money. With such a plan, not only are you actively investing for your future but you are also insuring your life with an insurance plan. By having your money sit around in your bank account, you are losing out on an opportunity to grow your wealth in a tax-free manner.
Some of the best ULIP plans have the following features.
There are a number of premium payment avenues applicable to ULIPs which are as follows.
ULIP premiums can be paid on an annual, bi-annual or monthly basis
Policyholders are also entitled to make a single premium payment which is comparatively heftier and paid at the time the plan is purchased
Ordinarily, premiums applicable to ULIPs are paid for the policy term opted for at the time of purchase however certain insurers permit policyholders to determine the number of premium payment years they’d like to opt for
Lock-in periods applicable to ULIPs amount to 5 years owing to which you cannot access the money you have invested during this time. Funds may only be withdrawn from a ULIP once this period comes to a close. That being said, it is recommended you hold off on liquidating a ULIP for as long as you can as the longer you stay invested in such a plan, the greater are your chances of accruing viable returns.
ULIP benefits are plentiful as is evident from the merits mentioned below which pertain to ULIPs available at Bajaj Markets.
ULIP investment funds available on the platform have been known to enjoy good ratings that feature returns that are high and approximately amount to 25% over a five year investment time frame.
Be confident in the knowledge that ULIP investments made via Bajaj Markets are viable as they have under their helm close to 2,00,000 crores worth of assets under management.
As charges aren’t applicable at the time of allocating funds and return of mortality charges aren’t applicable, ULIPs are cost friendly.
There exist four ULIP investment strategies that each aim to provide investors with greater returns and allow for flexibility.
As per the Income Tax Act of 1961, ULIPs are classified as tax-free investments owing to which investors needn’t pay taxes while investments are active. This means that you can enjoy watching your money grow without paying taxes which aren’t required when you switch funds or at the time of maturity either. Since there exist an array of tax benefits applicable to ULIPs, they have been summarised below.
Premiums paid on ULIPs can be claimed under deductions as per Section 80C of the Income Tax Act with a maximum bar amounting to INR 1.5 Lakh.
Provided you pay all your ULIP premiums on time, taxes aren’t applicable once your ULIP acquires maturity provided it was issued prior to February 1, 2021. In case of ULIPs bought after this date and in case the aggregate premium exceeds INR 2.5 Lakh, the maturity benefit will be viewed as a taxable capital asset.
Partial withdrawals following the five-year lock in period are tax-free as per Section 10 (10D) of the Income Tax Act.
In case you die, your family (or nominee) will receive the total fund value or else the entire sum assured, whichever is higher. This pay-out is exempt from taxation.
You can increase the amount you choose to invest in your ULIP plan at any point in time and this additional top up is eligible for a tax deduction as per Section 80C.
If you have invested in an equity-oriented fund via your ULIP holding, you can avail of the long term capital gains tax benefit.
Understand the varied factors included under a given Unit-Linked Investment Plan as outlined below.
Tethered to all ULIPs is the inclusion of life coverage.
By purchasing a ULIP plan, a portion of your invested money is directed towards a market linked security which is anticipated to generate returns.
In case you purchase a plan in your name and happen to die, the nominee you select will be the recipient of the fund value or sum assured – whichever happens to be greater.
Listed below are the varied factors excluded under a given ULIP plan.
If the policyholder of a ULIP dies by suicide and this unfortunate event transpires within the first year of the policy commencing or reviving, the nominee will only receive the regular premium fund’s value along with the top premium fund value if it is applicable.
in case any amount is deducted once you die, it is repaid to your beneficiaries in addition to the amount that is classified as the death benefit.
Filing claims on your Unit-Linked Investment Plan has never been more straightforward as it is today. Simply follow the steps mentioned in order to file ULIP claims.
Begin by registering your claim online on the appropriate website.
Part of your online claim application will require you to upload appropriate documentation.
Once you submit your claim application, it will be assessed by your insurance provider. The time frame needed for this assessment to transpire will be outlined in the terms and conditions of your plan.
After your claim has been assessed, an agent will reach out to you on the status of your claim and whether or not it has been approved.
Unit Linked Investment Plans have, over the years, shown themselves to be viable investments capable of making a positive impact on one’s portfolio. These investments allow you to potentially fulfil your financial goals owing to which they are recommended. As they provide you with the opportunity to not only invest but also provide life insurance, they are worth investing in. A great resource via which you can learn more about ULIP returns, plans and benefits is the Bajaj Markets website.
Investment Plans: Buy Bajaj Allianz Investment Plans available on Bajaj Markets for better investment planning. ULIP Investment Plans offer tax benefits, life insurance and market linked returns. Get a free quote today!
ULIPs are frequently recommended over mutual funds and bank fixed deposits as they have the following advantages:.
Coverage – With a ULIP, you are provided with life coverage that is at its minimum, worth ten times the premium amount. This lies in sharp contrast to mutual funds and bank fixed deposits that don’t offer life coverage.
Tax benefits – Premiums paid up to INR 1.5 Lakh are barred from paying taxes and the amount of the ULIP holding at its maturity is tax free. In contrast, Equity Linked Saving Schemes are the sole mutual funds that have tax exemptions applicable to them. As for fixed deposits, only investments up to INR 1.5 Lakh are tax-free and are taxable at maturity.
Flexibility – ULIP policyholders are entitled to switch funds, however this flexibility is not there in mutual funds or bank fixed deposits.
The different ULIPs available on Bajaj Markets are as follows.
Bajaj Allianz Future Gain
Bajaj Allianz Goal Assure
Bajaj Allianz Long Life Goal
Listed below are some of the factors you ought to consider prior to investing in a Unit Linked Investment Plan:
Charges Applicable – Understand the charges deducted by different ULIP plan providers and select a plan that has the lowest expenses tethered to it such that you can maximise your returns
Risks Involved – Assess the ULIP fund’s performance and the risks associated with it and consider whether you have a risk threshold that aligns with that of the fund
Tax Benefits – It is worth noting the tax-benefits associated with a ULIP and understand they kick in once the five-year lock in period comes to a close
It is important for insurance companies to be transparent about the charges tethered to the ULIPs they sell. Listed below are some of the charges that are ordinarily applicable to ULIPs.
Allocation charge
Policy administration charge
Mortality charge
Fund management charge
The two characteristic benefits that ULIPs provide are investment and life insurance coverage.