Why are ULIPs a Good Investment for a 20-Year Horizon?

Apparently, it is wiser to invest in a ULIP for longer in order to enjoy its benefits for long. Read on to learn more.

One of the best financial products in India to invest in, a Unit Linked Insurance Plan or ULIP has several benefits to offer to its investor. The primary being the fact that a ULIP serves a dual purpose – of providing an insurance benefit to the policyholder as well as offering the opportunity to enjoy the benefits derived from investment in capital stock.

Owing to its dual benefit, most investors like to put their money in ULIPs. It is no wonder then that a ULIP plan has undergone several changes over the years to better suit the needs and preferences of its prospective investors. For instance, the initial ULIPs that were first introduced in India came with a three-year lock-in period, which later changed to a lock-in period of 5 years on public demand.

What is a ULIP Lock-in Period?

We learned in the section above the exact ULIP meaning and what is a ULIP plan. Now let’s quickly understand the meaning of the term lock-in period when it is used in the context of ULIPs in India.

A lock-in period refers to the total time duration during which an investor is discouraged, sometimes even restricted, to withdraw the money invested into the plan, either partially or fully. It is only after the completion of the lock-in period that the investor can reap the benefits of their investment through withdrawal.

In India, the lock-in period for a ULIP is set to 5 years, before which a withdrawal may attract a surrender fee from the investor. However, with the growing popularity of ULIPs in the country, the general consensus is slowly moving towards the idea of investing in ULIPs for longer (than 5 years). This is because the longer the investment in a ULIP, the longer one can enjoy the benefits of their investment.

This is why a large number of investors in India are slowly considering staying invested in a ULIP policy for at least 20 years in order to continue reaping the benefits from the investment for longer.

Read More: Traditional Endowment Plan Or ULIPs – Features and Benefits

Why Investing in a ULIP Plan for a 20-Year Horizon is a Good Idea?

So does this mean now that the 5-year lock-in period for ULIPs is slowly going to be scrapped? Perhaps not or not so soon, at least. Nearly all the ULIP plans offered by insurance companies today provide a standard 5-year lock-in period to the investor. However, it is generally wiser to invest in a ULIP for a longer term, say 20 years. Investors state here’s why:

1. Investment in ULIPs attracts tax rebates: The best part about investing in a ULIP policy is that the premium payable on the plan is tax-deductible. And the longer you stay invested in a ULIP plan, you stand a chance to enjoy tax concessions every single year on the total premium amount paid. This is as per the taxation rules laid out under Section 80C (life insurance) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Note that the tax rebate is applicable on an investment of Rs. 1.5 lakh.
2. Allows flexibility to switch between different funds: This is yet another advantage that you can enjoy when you choose to invest in a ULIP for longer. ULIPs are directly linked to the market and therefore as a ULIP investor, you have the flexibility to switch between different funds that may be performing well in the capital market at a given time, in case the one provided by your insurer fails to deliver the same profits. This flexibility helps the investor generate more wealth in the longer run.
3. Allows for regular savings for longer: ULIPs are one of the best financial instruments to inculcate a habit of regular saving in an individual. Investing in a ULIP policy at an early age would ensure that you have a sufficient corpus built towards the end of the policy term. And if you choose to continue investing and saving for longer, it definitely means a huge corpus that can adequately cover the financial needs of you and your loved ones for a lifetime.

Read More: Benefits and Advantages of Investing in ULIP

ULIP vs. Mutual Fund

Most investors often tend to get confused between these two financial instruments – ULIPs and Mutual Funds. However, the two are indeed different and it’s a good idea to understand the key differences between both before choosing to invest in either one. The following table clearly illustrates how ULIPs differ from Mutual Funds:

Read More: ULIP Vs Term Life Insurance

In a Nutshell

ULIPs are a great way to save and reap the benefits of those savings made over a long period of time. We learned in the blog about what is a ULIP plan, that it is both an investment and insurance product and, hence, its demand is generally higher among the investor community. It’s wiser to consider investing in a ULIP plan for at least a 20-year horizon to reap its benefits over a lifetime. To compute the exact benefit amount that can be derived from a ULIP investment, you may look up a ULIP calculator online. Besides, you can also browse through the best ULIP plans available in the market on PayBima.

Found this post informational? Browse PayBima Blogs to read interesting posts related to Health Insurance, Car Insurance, Bike Insurance, Term Life Insurance and Investment section. You can visit PayBima to Buy Insurance Online.

Read More: Difference Between Money Back Plans and ULIPs

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