Understanding Benefit Illustration & charges of ULIPs

Insurance in itself is a complex product and ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans) make them even more complex. All the ULIPs are different with different features, different clauses and bonuses & expenses structure which at times is even difficult for an expert to comprehend.

Infact I remember seeing ULIP benefit illustration for the first time and I was not able to make anything out of it. So here is a post that would help all the naïve investors to see and understand the Benefit Illustration table for ULIPs.

Any Benefit Illustration has two tables – The first shows returns based on 10% gross yield while the second table shows returns based on 6% gross yield.

Here is a picture of Benefit Illustration Chart for LIC Wealth Plus Plan. You can have a look at the compete page on LIC’s website by clicking here.

lic benefit illustartion

Net yield means returns after all expenses.

Does all Benefit Illustration have only 6% & 10% returns?

Yes, the insurance regulator has made it mandatory for agents to share the benefit illustration, assuming 6% and 10% growth, with policyholders. They cannot and should not alter this percentage return.

Also, with effect from 1st January 2010 the insurance regulator has capped the difference between gross and net yield based on term of ULIP. For ULIP with term less than 10 years the cap is at 3% while for ULIP with term of 10 or more years the cap is 2.25%.

Benefit Illustration Glossary and Charges:

Policy Year – This shows the number of Policy years from start of your ULIP

Annualized Premium – This is the annual premium the policy holder needs to pay every year. You should check if you can alter the premium or if there are any losses if you skip any premium? Generally there are some bonus additions if you are regular with your premium.

Premium allocation charge (PAC) – It’s a front end cost and probably the one which worst effects the returns. It is generally stated as a percentage of annual premiums and changes over the term (though at times it may be a flat charge too). Initial years have more PAC than later years. You should find out what is the Premium allocation charge for any top up premiums you pay in future?

Amount Available for investment (out of premium) – This is the amount which would be invested and is equal to Annualized Premium minus Premium allocation charge.

Mortality Charge – This is the cost that you pay for your insurance cover. It would vary depending on policyholder’s age, sum assured and policy term. For ULIPs which pay higher of sum assured or fund value on death, Mortality Charge falls with time while ULIP which pays both the sum assured and fund value, it remains constant.

Service tax – This is 10.3% tax that you pay to the government for services offered by ULIPs. It was levied on Premium allocation charge, Policy administration charge, Guarantee Charge, Mortality Charge, Rider Charges and Fund management charge but Finance Minister has given some relief here in Budget 2010. Now service tax would only be levied on Fund management charge. The illustrations still show the old service tax but it would soon be updated.

Policy Administration Charge – It can be fixed or variable (as % of fund value) and is deducted from the fund value each month as long as the policy runs.

Fund Management Charge – The most important charge of Ulips. Deducted as a percentage from the fund value. Impact grows over the years as the fund value rises. It could be as high as 2.5% in older plans but now has been capped at 1.35%

Guarantee Charge – This is charge you pay for getting a guaranteed return (For e.g. if a ULIP promises 170% after 10 years, you need to pay a guarantee charge for the same). It can vary depending on the kind of guarantee and also has not been capped by IRDA. This is usually 0.25% to 0.5%.

Addition to Fund (if any) / Bonus – ULIP is a long term product and to keep policy holders invested for long term, they generally have bonuses or other incentive structure built into them for e.g. You may get additions based on regular payment of Premium.

Fund before FMC – This is the underlying fund value before deduction of Fund management charges.

Fund at End – Fund value at year-end after deducting all the charges and taking growth into account.

Surrender value – Paid to policyholder when he exits the plan. The exit can be made any time, but the value is paid only after three years. In some Ulips, the surrender charge is expressed as a percentage of the first year’s premium, varying with the year of exit. With the new rule there would be no surrender charges after 5th year of policy.

Death Benefit – Nominee gets this on insured’s death. Type I ULIP pays either sum assured or fund value while Type II pays both. Choose a sum assured that optimizes protection and investment.

Other than above stated there can be additional charges under the following headers.

Rider charges – Riders are add-on policies that give additional insurance benefits apart from the base plan. The charges are generally low compared to the benefits added. Some of the popular riders are related to accident cover, disability cover, waiver of premium, and critical illness cover.

Switching charges – Switching is the shifting of our investment from one fund to another. This is done to preserve our profits or to protect our principle. During market highs or the beginning of a downturn a switch from equity oriented funds to debt oriented funds will protect the policy holder’s profits. The funds can be switched back after the market falls or is in the recovery phase.

Similarly towards the maturity of the plan a gradual shifting of the funds can be done towards the debt funds to preserve capital.

Switching is a market timing activity and has to be done with knowledge and skills. It is advisable for a normal investor to seek the support of experts in using the switch option.

ULIPs generally offer a number of switches ranging from 4 to 12 for free in a year. Any switches above this will be charged.

Partial Withdrawal charges – ULIPs generally allow withdrawal from our funds after the stipulated 3 years. However there may be charges if there is request for more than one withdrawal in a year. Some plans may restrict the amount of withdrawal to a percentage of the available fund (say 20 per cent of the fund value).

To conclude:

I hope this post helps you in better understanding “the benefit illustration table” for ULIPs and hence make more informed decisions.

4 thoughts on “Understanding Benefit Illustration & charges of ULIPs”

  1. A radical information provided here. You may seek Ulip plan benefits at the most competitive and affordable premium. Purchasing ULIP insurance online provides a high degree of flexibility. It allows you to exercise control over every aspect of the purchase, right from comparing various options to shortlisting a particular policy to purchasing the policy online. You are also allowed to pay the premium amount online and provide standing instructions for further premium payment.

  2. I purchased kotak smart advnatage plan in 2008, paid premium for three years and surrendered policy in 2013. While returning, straight away Kotak deducted first year premium then other charges including surrender penalty also and finaly returned approx.43% of total paid amount. Did they do right or cheated me. How can we know as policy is not very clear about it?

  3. Thanks for this great post.

    I have few queries and hope your insight will help me a lot.

    1. I have SBI unit plus III Life Saver policy- ULIP (Paying Term 30 years). I have paid the first two premiums of 1,00,000/- each. My next due date is nearing.
    Should I stay in this policy or surrender it and opt for Term Plan+MF SIP + PPF for long term. I know that I may loose certain amount while I surrender this policy, but I would like to build a corpus for my Daughter’s Higher Education & Marriage.

    2. Similarly I have Lic’s Jeevan Saral Policy with a premium of Rs.60000/- yearly. Three Premiums paid.Term 30 years & Assured amt Rs.18,50,000/-
    and Insurance of 12,50,000/-. Should I stay in this policy or surrender it and opt for Term Plan+MF SIP + PPF for long term. I would like to build a corpus for my Daughter’s Higher education & Marriage.

    3. I have Taken Tata Maha Life Gold policy in the year 2006.Till date I have paid 6 premiums. I need to pay my premium till 2020 (Premium amt yearly is Rs.44196.. As per policy norms From 7th year onwards, I shall be paid a bonus (Amt Unknown) and from 10th year (2016) onwards the Company will pay me 5% of the assured amount(500000) ie 25,000/-
    along with the bonus if declared.

    My query is ” Is it wise now to keep myself invested in this policy or shall I come out of this policy”.
    Kindly Advise.

    Roy

    1. Its no easy answer. Its going to be your decision. You need to follow the following steps:
      1. Call these insurance companies and get the surrender value for all of these.
      2. There would surely be some loss. You need to ask yourself if you are ready to take that loss.
      3. If yes, forget about the loss and go ahead and search for the cheapest term life insurance.
      4. Buy that term plan and invest the rest in good mutual fund portfolio.

      For all these decisions, this blog would help you in your search for cheapest term insurance and building a Mutual fund portfolio.

      Thanks
      Amit

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