LIC's product gives lower maturity benefits and returns in the long run
Life Insurance Corporation's
(LIC's) 'Jeevan Sugam' is a single-premium endowment product. Since the product
gives death benefit (sum assured) that is equal to 10 times the premium paid,
it will qualify for tax exemptions under Sections 80C and 10(10D) at entry and
exit.
Along with LIC, Star Union
Dai-Ichi has a similar product to offer, which is giving a higher guarantee and
a better rate of interest than LIC on Rs 1 lakh single premium paid by a
policyholder. Both are single premium endowment products. The insurers have
launched this products under the endowment umbrella to give guaranteed returns
to customers. Additionally, there are enough single premium products available
in the market which fall under the unit-linked insurance product category.
The products are available
to people between the age group of eight and 45 years. According to experts,
individuals will have to undergo a medical test before buying this product.Both
the products are close-ended and will be available for purchase only till the
end of this month. While both the products are giving a death benefit equal to
10 times the premium paid, their maturity benefits will differ. Ten years is
the policy tenure.
According to the data
available, if a person buys Star Union's 'Dhan Suraksha Platinum II', he or she
will get a maturity benefit of Rs 1.81 lakh after 10 years (policy tenure)
against Rs 1.77 lakh in LIC's 'Jeevan Sugam'. Reason: The difference in their
returns is due to the different mortality tables used by both insurers. Experts
say since LIC is deeply rooted into rural areas where risk to life is higher,
there are chances their premium rates are higher due to that.
Pankaaj Maalde,
head-financial planning at Apnapaisa.com says, in the long run, Star's product
will return better than LIC's because after 10 years Star Union's product will
give an IRR (internal rate of return) of 5.8 per cent, compared to 5.6 per cent
returned by LIC. Hence, one shouldn't buy these products for investment sake
because their returns from the guaranteed portion are not attractive. If one is
looking at good returns, they can consider investing in a Public Provident Fund
(PPF) and bank fixed deposits which guarantee better returns.
While insurance is not for
investment, it's still better to weigh your options in case you plan on buying
one. Hence, it's better to compare insurance products, their premiums and
benefits offered before buying them. Financial planners say it's an investment
product and people left with no other tax-saving avenue only should make use of
such products. LIC and Star Union are offering an additional benefit of 4.5 and
two per cent if your maturity sum assured exceeds Rs 5 lakh. In other words,
Star's benefits here is less compared to LIC.
Star Union has clearly mentioned in the product details that the product will give a tax break on the plan benefits received, under Section 10 (10D). Whereas, LIC has not mentioned this on their website. While R R Dash, zonal manager, LIC confirms the maturity amount from this product is tax-free under Section 10(10D), we have still refrained from mentioning it, in case tax laws were to be changed anytime this year.
In the case of Star Union, the maximum amount of loan that can be availed is 75 per cent as against 60 per cent in the case of LIC. That quantum will be available as the surrender value at the time of taking the loan. If the policy is surrendered on or before the second year is completed, the insurers will return 90 per cent of the single premium paid. Whereas, in case the LIC policy is surrendered in the first year itself, then the company is returning 70 per cent, compared to 85 per cent in case of Star Union.
While single premium
products are expensive compared to pure protection plans, it makes sense not to
mix insurance products with investment products. While one has to make regular
annual payments in protection plans, it makes sense, as the death benefit
offered by life insurers is much more than such investment-based products. If
one is looking at such products purely for tax-saving purpose, then he or she
can also consider tax-free bonds giving returns in the range of 7 and 7.5 per
cent. Additionally, people ready to take some equity exposure can invest in an
equity-linked saving scheme.
