Is it worth considering Life Insurance Guaranteed Income Plans?
The primary purpose
of life insurance policies is to minimize the financial risks associated with
premature death. Term insurance plans effectively cover the risk of
premature death and provide pure protection against the accompanying financial
risks. However, many policyholders desire their life insurance policies to
serve as both a protective measure and a savings tool. This is where guaranteed
income plans come into play.
Let's delve into
the topic:
What exactly are
guaranteed income plans?
Guaranteed income
plans are life insurance solutions that offer insurance coverage
and savings within a single policy. These plans come in the form of endowment
plans or money back plans, providing a death cover during the policy tenure. In
the event of the insured individual's death during the term, a guaranteed death
benefit is paid out. On the other hand, if the policyholder survives the policy
tenure, a maturity benefit is received from the guaranteed income plans.
Typically, the
benefits provided by these plans are fixed or guaranteed, hence their name,
"guaranteed income plans."
Is it advisable to
invest in guaranteed income plans?
Guaranteed income plans are suitable for
investors seeking insurance protection and guaranteed savings through a single
financial instrument. Before investing in such plans, it is essential to
consider the following pros and cons:
Advantages of
guaranteed income plans
Guaranteed income
plans offer various advantages. Take a look:
1.
Assured returns: As the name suggests, guaranteed income plans provide assured
returns, either upon premature death or at maturity. Moreover, many plans offer
additional returns in the form of bonus additions, guaranteed additions,
boosters, loyalty additions, and more. These additional returns enhance the
benefits and ensure higher guaranteed returns.
2.
Long-term savings: Usually, guaranteed income plans are long-term life insurance
policies that promote disciplined saving habits. By opting for these plans,
individuals can establish a long-term savings corpus to meet their financial
needs.
3.
Facilitate financial goal attainment: Guaranteed income plans assist in achieving financial goals, even in
the policyholder's absence. The death benefit provided by these plans ensures
that the policyholder's family receives a financial corpus to fulfill their
needs. Additionally, the maturity benefit yields an accumulated corpus that can
be utilized for various financial goals, such as a child's education, retirement
planning, home purchase, and more.
4.
Specialized plans for specific goals: There are specialized child and pension plans available as guaranteed
income plans. These plans are designed to cater to specific financial goals,
making it easier to achieve them.
5.
No investment risks: Guaranteed return plans do not expose investments to the volatility
risks associated with the equity market. Instead, they provide guaranteed
returns and safeguard investments against market risks.
6.
Insurance protection: Since guaranteed income plans are life insurance policies, they offer
vital insurance protection. This insurance cover provides financial security to
individuals and their families, ensuring a benefit in the event of premature
death.
7.
Tax benefits: Finally, guaranteed income plans offer tax-saving benefits. The
premiums paid for these plans can be deducted from taxable income. Premiums up
to 10% of the sum assured, subject to a maximum limit of INR 1.5 lakhs, qualify
for a deduction under Section 80C. Additionally, the returns earned from the
policy and the maturity benefit received are completely tax-free under Section
10(10D) if the premium was up to 10% of the sum assured. In the case of death, the death benefit
is also entirely tax-free, allowing the family to utilize the full benefit.
Disadvantages of
guaranteed income plans
When it comes to
disadvantages, there is only one aspect that works against guaranteed income
plans: the potential insufficiency of returns. There is a risk that the returns
generated by these plans may not keep pace with inflation after long-term
saving. In such cases, individuals may be unable to create a sufficient corpus
to achieve their financial goals.
What should you do?
Aside from the single drawback mentioned above, guaranteed income plans do not have any other significant downsides. If you have a low tolerance for risk and aim to build a risk-free corpus for your financial goals, opting for guaranteed income plans is a viable option. The tax benefits further enhance the appeal, enabling the creation of a tax-efficient corpus. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the nature of guaranteed income plans and choose one that aligns with your specific needs.