LIC Market Plus 1

LIC Market Plus 1 was launched on July 5, 2006, and closed on June 30, 2010, after the IRDA mandated that all ULIP plans have to come with a life cover. 

LIC Market Plus 1 – Key Features

Let's look at the features of LIC Market Plus 1, in brief, and detail for both with cover and without. 

LIC Market Plus Without Life Cover – Features

Being designed primarily for retirement, LIC Market Plus 1, gave insured the option to choose whatever premium they prefer to pay. Let’s look at the features in more detail: 

• The LIC Market Plus plan had a minimum entry age of 18 years and above while the maximum entry age was 75 years for regular premium, and 80 years for single premium plans.
• The minimum maturity age for LIC Market Plus 1 was when the person had completed 40 years while the maximum maturity age was 85 years.
• LIC Market Plus had a minimum deferment period of 10 years for investors paying a regular premium and 5 years for investors opting for the single premium payment option.
• Being a unit-linked policy without cover, LIC Market Plus 1 had no sum assured. Both maturity and death benefits are comprised of only the plan's fund value.
• Minimum premium under LIC Market Plus was different depending on the type of payment:
• For monthly ECS payments, the regular premium was Rs.1,000 p.m. for a deferment term of 15 years and above, and Rs.1,500 p.m. for a deferment timeframe of 10 to 14 years. The premium can only be in multiples of Rs.250.
• For other regular ECS modes, the premium was Rs.5,000 p.a. for a deferment period of 20 years and above, Rs.10,000 p.a. in case of deferment of 15 to 19 years, and Rs.15,000 p.a. if deferment is for 10 to 14 years. The premium can only be in multiples of Rs.1,000
• The minimum single premium under LIC Market Plus was Rs.30,000 for a deferment term of 5 years and above.
• Investors can move from one fund to another during the tenure of their LIC Market Plus 1 policy.
• LIC Market Plus investors will receive an annuity based on the prevailing annuity rates on the maturity of their plan.
• Policyholders also have the option to commute one-third of their fund value on vesting which will be paid as a lump sum and a reduced amount will be paid an annuity.
• LIC Market Plus 1 will give an investor the option to purchase any pension plan from any life insurance company in India on vesting. If this option is exercised, the investor must inform LIC of their decision at least 6 months before the date of vesting of the plan.
• LIC offers a cooling-off period of 15 days in which the investor may opt to return the premium if they are not satisfied with the plan.
• Policyholders cannot take a loan against the plan.
• Has a lock-in period of 3 years. 

LIC Market Plus 1 with Life Cover – Features

LIC Market Plus 1 with life cover same as LIC Market Plus without life cover allows the policyholder to choose the amount of premium they wished to pay. Features of this LIC Market Plus 1 with life cover option are: 

• The minimum entry age was 18 years as of last birthday under the LIC Market Plus plan and the maximum entry age was 65 years
• LIC Market Plus 1 offered a minimum maturity age of 40 years (completed) and a maximum maturity age of 75 years (nearest birthday)
• The LIC Market Plus with cover policy had a minimum deferment period of 10 years for regular premium and 5 years for single premium payers
• Minimum sum assured under LIC Market Plus was Rs.30,000 while maximum sum assured depended on two factors: the insured’s age and whether or not they chose critical illness rider:
• If critical benefit rider was opted for under LIC Market Plus 1
• If an investor is less than 40 years of age: 10 times annual premium
• If insured was 41 years of age or above: 5 times annual premium
• If critical benefit rider was not opted for under the LIC Market Plus plan
• If the policyholder is less than 40 years of age: 20 times annual premium
• If an investor was 41 years of age or above: 10 times annual premium
• Minimum premium payment under LIC Market Plus 1 depends on the payment mode:
• In the case of monthly ECS premium payments, regular premium equaled:
• 1,000 p.m. for deferment period of 15 years and more,
• 1,500 p.m. for deferment time of 10 to 14 years.

This premium was only payable in multiples of Rs.250

• In the case of other premium payment modes, regular premium equaled:
• 5,000 p.a. for deferment period of 20 years and above
• 10,000 p.a. in case of deferment of 15 to 19 years, and
• 15,000 p.a. if deferment is for 10 to 14 years

This premium was payable only in multiples of Rs.1,000

• The minimum single premium under LIC Market Plus 1 was Rs.30,000 for a deferment term of 5 years and more
• Like LIC Market Plus plans without cover, investors could move from one fund to another during the tenure of their LIC Market Plus 1 policy
• On vesting, investors in LIC Market Plus will receive annuities based on the prevailing annuity rates
• LIC Market Plus 1 policyholder can commute one-third of their fund value on maturity. This commuted amount would be paid as a lump sum and the annuity will be proportionately reduced after commutation
• LIC gives the investor the option to purchase any pension plan from any life insurer in India on the maturity of their LIC Market Plus plan. Any investor deciding to exercise this option has to inform LIC of the decision 6 months before the date of vesting of the LIC Market Plus 1 plan
• LIC offers a cooling-off period of 15 days in which the investor may opt to return the premium if they are not satisfied with the plan
• LIC Market Plus 1 policyholder cannot take a loan against the plan
• Has a lock-in period of 3 years, after which policyholders can surrender the plan and get their money back 

LIC Market Plus 1 – Benefits

• The fund value is used by LIC to provide an annuity pension to the insured policyholder
• Policyholders have the option to commute 1/3 of their pension, in which case they will receive a lump-sum payment equal to the amount thus commuted. The rest of the fund value will be paid as an annuity
• Death benefit includes Sum Assured and Fund Value for a plan with a cover, while plans without cover will provide the nominees with an amount equal to the fund value
• The LIC Market Plus 1 plan provides an accident rider up to 70 years of age at most. The minimum and maximum covers are respectively Rs.25,000 and Rs.50 lakh
• Policyholders can surrender the policy after 3 years and get back their money. 

Provides four fund options for investment: Bond Fund, Secured Fund, Balanced Fund, and Growth Fund for the policyholder to choose.

LIC Market Plus 1 – Fund Details

Policyholders can choose to invest in any one of the four funds: 

• Bond Fund: Invests at least 60% in government-guaranteed securities or corporate debt, and not more than 40% in short-term money market instruments. This fund is recommended for those who have a low-risk profile. 
• Secured Fund: Focuses on creating a steady income source. It invests at least 45% in government-guaranteed securities or corporate debt, not more than 40% in short-term money market instruments, and anything from 15% to 55% in public equity. This fund can be selected by those who have a low to medium risk profile. 
• Balanced Fund: Has an objective to create balanced income and pursue growth opportunities. The fund invests at least 30% in government-guaranteed securities or corporate debt, not more than 40% in short-term money market instruments, and anything from 30% to 70% in publicly listed equity shares. It is recommended for those who have a medium risk profile. 
• Growth Fund: Focuses on long-term capital growth and invests at least 20% in government-guaranteed securities or corporate debt, not more than 40% in short-term money market instruments, and anywhere from 40% to 80% in publicly listed equity shares. This is for those who have a high-risk profile.

LIC Market Plus I - Riders

The following riders are available to be included with LIC Market Plus-I for added protection:

1. Life Cover Option

   This rider provides the policyholder with the option to choose life cover subject to the policy coverage limit to the age of 75 years.

2. Accident Benefit Option

   This rider is available with plans offering life cover and offer accident benefits ranging from Rs.25,000 to Rs.50, 00,000, i.e. equal to that of the life cover. An additional death benefit equal to the accident benefit is also offered.

3. Critical Illness Benefit Option

   This rider is available with plans offering life cover and provides coverage ranging from Rs.25,000 to Rs.10, 00,000 if the policy has been in force for 10 years or more. This rider can be availed by a policyholder up to the age of 60 years, and that too for the policy term of 35 years.

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