A ULIP may offer a host of benefits that go beyond traditional insurance or investment plans. They may include:
Maturity Benefit: Unlocking Your Accumulated Fund Value
Upon reaching the maturity of your ULIP plan, a rewarding benefit may await. You may become eligible to receive an amount equal to the accumulated fund value, serving as a maturity or survival benefit. This may ensure your investment grows over time and rewards your commitment. In case you pass away unfortunately, the maturity benefit may be passed down to your beneficiaries. Depending on the policy, they may receive either the sum assured or the fund value, depending upon the type of ULIP.
Death Benefit: Protection for Your Loved Ones
In the unfortunate event of an untimely demise during the ULIP policy tenure, your family may receive the ULIP death benefit. This financial support, paid out according to the policy's terms and conditions, may ensure that your loved ones are safeguarded in challenging times. It may also be noted that, regardless of the changes in the investment amount and fund structure, the death benefit stays unaffected. It may be considered as the base of any life insurance plan and likely stays fixed through the tenure.
Asset Allocation: Empowering You with Choice
Unit Linked Insurance Plans can provide a unique advantage through asset allocation. This strategy may allow you to allocate your capital across different ULIP funds offered under your policy. By investing in equity funds, debt funds, or a balanced mix of the two, you may align your investments with your risk appetite, market ups and downs, and financial goals. This flexibility may empower you to navigate the market and potentially optimise your returns.
Wealth Generation: Harnessing Market-Linked Growth
A ULIP investment may offer the potential for market-linked wealth generation over the longer term. Short-term market volatility may exist. However, if one looks at it historically, investment in market-linked funds may have favourable performance if one holds it over extended periods. By harnessing this growth potential, ULIPs may contribute to building wealth and achieving your long-term financial aspirations.
Tax Benefits[1]
ULIPs not only provide you with the opportunity to grow your wealth and protect your loved ones but may also offer significant tax advantages. Here are several ULIP tax benefits:
Stage 1: Entry Benefits - Avail Deductions on Premiums
The premiums you pay towards your ULIP may be eligible for deduction from your taxable income, as per Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. You may claim a deduction of up to Rs.1.5 lakhs, subject to the provisions mentioned in the Act.
Stage 2: Earnings Benefits - Tax-Free Growth
As your ULIP investments appreciate over time, the earnings or gains may not be taxable as long as you keep the funds invested. This means you may enjoy tax-free growth on your ULIP investments until you decide to withdraw or redeem them.
Stage 3: Exit Advantage - Tax Treatment at Maturity and Demise
The death benefit amount your nominee may receive may be tax-free as per Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. For you to get tax exemption on maturity, the premium of the ULIP purchased after 1st April 2012 should not exceed 10% of the death sum assured. If the ULIP is purchased before 1st April 2012, the premium should not exceed 20% of the sum assured. Also, as per the 2021 budget, if the total aggregate annual premiums of ULIP purchased on or after 1st February 2021 is above Rs 2.5 lakhs, the maturity proceeds cannot be tax-exempted. Any returns you may receive from equity funds above Rs 1 lakh may be taxable as per the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rate of 10%. In the case of non-equity assets, returns above Rs 1 lakh may be taxed at a 20% rate.