ULIP Myths Demystified

Life Insurance was thought of as a boring and rigid avenue of investment where returns lost their real worth due to inflationary trends. This was until Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) were introduced in the market which provided the answer to the investor’s wealth creation need along with insurance protection. Soon after its launch, the ULIP plan registered good sales and other forms of insurance plans were given a miss.

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List of ULIP Funds ~
Fund Name
AUM
Returns (in %)
3 Year
5 Year
10 Year
9,928 Cr
Returns
32.68%
Highest Returns
Returns
27.23%
Returns
18.4%
Get Details
2,323 Cr
Returns
27.62%
Returns
30.78%
Highest Returns
Returns
17.46%
Get Details
5,652 Cr
Returns
23.49%
Returns
23.59%
Highest Returns
Returns
14.73%
Get Details
37,289 Cr
Returns
24.37%
Returns
25%
Highest Returns
Returns
14.71%
Get Details
3,556 Cr
Returns
17.44%
Returns
19.29%
Highest Returns
Returns
10.2%
Get Details
236 Cr
Returns
21.62%
Returns
23%
Highest Returns
Returns
13.35%
Get Details
440 Cr
Returns
18.33%
Returns
20.42%
Highest Returns
Returns
13.81%
Get Details
4,557 Cr
Returns
24.41%
Returns
25.88%
Highest Returns
Returns
15.51%
Get Details
539 Cr
Returns
18.79%
Returns
19.7%
Highest Returns
Returns
11.51%
Get Details
101 Cr
Returns
21.77%
Returns
23.82%
Highest Returns
Returns
13.34%
Get Details
3,368 Cr
Returns
21.16%
Returns
22.7%
Highest Returns
Returns
12.36%
Get Details
4,348 Cr
Returns
22.22%
Returns
23.77%
Highest Returns
Returns
14.08%
Get Details
717 Cr
Returns
-
Returns
-
Returns
-
Get Details
3,248 Cr
Returns
20.99%
Returns
24.25%
Highest Returns
Returns
15.09%
Get Details
6 Cr
Returns
17.01%
Returns
18.95%
Highest Returns
Returns
10.83%
Get Details
78,278 Cr
Returns
18.92%
Returns
19.71%
Highest Returns
Returns
11.79%
Get Details
1,335 Cr
Returns
15.06%
Returns
16.68%
Highest Returns
Returns
10.16%
Get Details
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Disclaimer :
˜Top 5 plans based on annualized premium, for bookings made in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in

However, the high allocation charges inherent in the product made customers lose interest until 2008 when IRDA slapped on the mandatory limits on the allocation and other charges charged by the ULIPs. Since then ULIPs have come a long way and new plans with very attractive charges and benefits structures are being launched. Despite their image makeover, there are certain myths still attached to ULIPs which prevent individuals to invest in them.

The purpose of this article is to bust such common myths which are attached with ULIPs and present these life insurance plans in their true form.

Myth 1 – ULIPs are costly in terms of their charge structure

I don’t blame you if you are afflicted with this myth. Prior to 2008, ULIPs did have a heavy charge structure in the form of premium allocation charges. These charges sometimes went as high as 80% of the first year premium and the customer’s effective investment got eroded. However, IRDA intervened and now the ULIP charge structure has come down drastically and is in single digits. In fact, some of the newly developed plans are proving cheaper than direct mutual fund schemes as companies are giving the allocation charges a miss. So, if you were abstaining from investing in ULIPs only because of the high charges, you have nothing to worry about now.

Myth 2 – The returns are volatile in ULIPs

As ULIPs invest the customer’s premiums in capital markets, the factor of volatility does enter the picture. However, there are different funds available for selection based on different risk profiles. There are equity funds that are risky, debt funds that are not, and balanced funds which combine the risk and returns of equity and debt funds. So, if you think that ULIPs are risky, you are mistaken. The option of Debt funds is available and can be chosen if you are risk-averse.

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Myth 3 – The returns are doubled in a very short-term

Yes, I heard this mantra from many agents who boasted that ULIPs can double the money invested after only 3 or 5 years. This resulted in a lot of miss-selling and those of you who are seeking mystical returns from ULIPs should know the complete picture. The equity funds in the ULIPs promise the highest returns and then the returns are marked-dependent. You cannot expect your investments to double if the market is in a bad shape. Moreover, the concept of short-term is another major myth. Nothing yields good returns in short tenures. For your investments to grow, you should hold your investments in equity funds for at least 10 to 15 years and then expect double or close to double returns

Myth 4 – The premiums are to be paid only for a limited tenure

Premium payment under the ULIP plan depends upon the plan features. Though some plans do offer limited premium payment tenures, all plans don’t. You are supposed to pay the premiums till the tenure mentioned in your plan though surrendering is allowed but only after the completion of 5 years. If the due premiums are not paid, your policy would continue and the applicable charges would be adjusted from your fund value. This would hamper your returns and thus paying the premiums due would be a better option.

Myth 5 – The life cover is very little

Contrary to popular belief, ULIPs do provide decent coverage which depends on the amount of annual premium you pay. Some plans provide 40 times the annual premium paid as coverage and so the coverage is not limited. Moreover, irrespective of your fund growth, the coverage provided under your plan would be secured from market volatility as the benefit is always the higher of the fund value or the fixed Sum Assured.

Final Thought!

People develop pre-conceived notions with all products and a ULIP is no exception. You might believe in these popular ULIP myths but I hope my endeavor to demystify these myths would prove helpful in breaking your notions and motivating you to invest in a good ULIP.

˜Top 5 plans based on annualized premium, for bookings made in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in
*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance plan.
^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.
+Returns Since Inception of LIC Growth Fund
¶Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax (12.5%) is exempted on annual premiums up to 2.5 lacs.
++Source - Google Review Rating available on:- http://bit.ly/3J20bXZ
^^The information relating to mutual funds presented in this article is for educational purpose only and is not meant for sale. Investment is subject to market risks and the risk is borne by the investor. Please consult your financial advisor before planning your investments.

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