Advantages of unit-linked insurance plan and disadvantages of ULIP!
Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) are insurance types that combine investing and insurance into one package. Policyholders must pay a premium monthly, semi-annually, or annually for 5-15 years. Including long-term capital gains on equities and equity-related investments, tax-free at maturity gives ULIPs a competitive advantage. In addition, it’s an exempt-exempt-exempt product. ULIP tax benefits allow investors to claim a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs annually u/s 80C of the Income Tax Act, but only provided the premium does not exceed 10% of the total insured amount.
ULIPs are becoming more popular as an investment option. ULIPs may be the best choice if you’re a first-time investor because they offer a lot of flexibility while reducing your risks. However, it is only fair to understand the pros and cons of Unit-Linked Insurance Plans before investing.
Advantages of ULIPs
1. Long-Term Financial Investment
ULIPs are ideal for consumers who want to put money down for a long-term objective since short-term market volatility provides lower returns. Still, long-term market investments produce very attractive returns.
2. Tax-Free Income
Tax-free and tax-advantaged returns are available through ULIPs. The premiums paid for ULIPs are tax-deductible, and the death payments received are also tax-free. In addition, the secure payout or the fund’s value of investments is also available to the policyholder, and these returns are not taxed.
3. Withdrawals in Parts
After the lock-in period, policyholders can make partial withdrawals if they don’t exceed 20% of the policy’s fund value. Furthermore, these withdrawals are not subject to taxation.
4. High Profits
ULIPs can generate good returns depending on the fund in which one invests. For instance, if the fund invests heavily in the capital markets, it will benefit from rising stock prices.
5. Flexibility
Investors can swap between investment funds as their goals and needs change with ULIPs. They can profit from stock price fluctuations by rotating between equities, debt, and cash.
6. Product Brochures and key feature documents
While benefit illustrations are very helpful in understanding the quantifiable parts of ULIPs, it’s also critical that you comprehend all of the other characteristics and advantages that ULIPs have to offer.
To learn more about the specific benefits of your policy, see the product booklet. You will receive a key feature paper outlining the major aspects of the plan as soon as your policy is issued. This, along with the product literature, guarantees that you fully comprehend the plan that you have bought.
7. ULIPs Encourage Goal-Based Savings
You must save money if you want to achieve your major life objectives, like as purchasing a home, paying for your children’s higher education, or guaranteeing a happy retirement. One of the most convenient methods to achieve this is through ULIPs or long-term systematic investment options.
ULIPs support disciplined investing because they are made to help you achieve important financial objectives. Without such a strategy, you run the risk of sacrificing your long-term objectives to meet immediate requirements.
Disadvantages of ULIPs
1. Costs
ULIPs typically have a high cost attached to them. These fees are initially higher because they cover the costs of managing your funds and administering policies. As time goes on, both your costs and your potential profits rise. But it necessitates patience. A sizeable portion of your premium is first lost to charges.
2. Market realities
The fact that the market is unstable and you are still getting used to it is another factor that contributes to your initial years’ lower earnings from your unit-linked insurance plan. When necessary, you might or might not take chances, preferring to play it safe and missing out on potential opportunities for gains.
3. Switching charges
Most insurers will provide you with free fund transfers up to a specific amount. After this point, switching is, however, fee-based, and you must truly balance your prospective earnings against the fees incurred.
4. Complexity
A single ULIP may be difficult for novice investors to understand because it serves as both a life insurance policy and an investment. Whether it be for saving, investing, or insurance, we are accustomed to one instrument having a specific function and concentration. Additionally, the sheer magnitude of the charges might intimidate you. To get the most out of your ULIP, you must constantly decide where to move, redirect, and invest your funds in order to keep track of your fund NAVs and stay up to current on your insurance premiums.
5. Lock-in period
Before the 5-year lock-in period, you cannot withdraw your money from ULIPs. Even if you cancel your ULIP within five years, you would still need to wait until the lock-in period was ended to receive your money.
Unit-Linked Insurance Plans provide you with the best of both worlds: insurance and returns. If you have invested in a ULIP that holds a significant amount of money in shares, you are taking a risk. However, your fund could earn a higher return if capital markets perform well. On the other hand, if you are planning to invest in securities that provide a variety of rewards all in one place, ULIPs are ideal. However, because the functions of investments and insurance are so diverse, it is typically recommended that they be maintained separately.
With thoughtful investment planning, you can avoid the disadvantages of ULIPs and avail yourself of numerous benefits. Always remember to go through both the advantages and disadvantages of ULIP before making a decision.
