Hi Gurus, I intend to close one of my lic policy whose premium was completely paid 2 years ago for meeting personal commitments. Does it impact my tax savings? Rather in what way it will have an impact on my IT returns?

Ans: Here you have not mentioned the type of policy (ULIP / Traditional) for us to give a detailed analysis.

For life insurance plans issued after April 1, 2012, the exemption from tax on single premium life insurance is valid only when the premium is less than 10% of the total sum assured.

Now, if the policy is taken before April 2012, you could avail the exemptions under Section 10D if the premiums paid in a single year during the policy term are not more than 20% of the sum assured. You will need to show the entire maturity proceeds in your return if taxable.

The entire premium of a life insurance plan is eligible for a tax deduction as per Section 80C up to a maximum limit of Rs 1.5 lakh. 

Ans: Hi Sharad, unfortunately when you stop paying your premiums, the policy lapses. If your policy has lapsed owing to non-payment of premiums on time, the terms and conditions of the policy contract are null and void until you reinstate it. A lapsed coverage must be reinstated by paying the accumulated premiums with interest and providing the necessary health information.You will have to pay the premiums of the years missed and then the policy will get revived.

Ans: Policy Overview

Your LIC policy matured in 2023.
You received a maturity amount of around Rs. 12 lakhs.
LIC deducted a TDS of Rs. 45,000.
Interest Income and Tax Implications
TDS indicates interest income is added to your income.
In this case, the interest income appears to be Rs. 4.5 lakhs.
Interest income from such policies is taxable.
Tax Rebates for Old LIC Policies
Policies started before 2012 might have different tax rules.
Check if your policy qualifies for any old tax exemptions.

Assessing the Financial Outcome
Your premiums were about Rs. 30,000 yearly.
You paid premiums for 20 years.
Evaluate if the maturity amount meets your financial goals.

Evaluating Investment Options
Consider reinvesting the maturity amount.
Actively managed funds can offer better returns.
Engage a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice.
Avoiding Index Funds and Direct Funds
Index funds have limited potential in volatile markets.
Actively managed funds provide better risk management.
Regular funds through an MFD with CFP offer professional guidance.

Final Insights
Analyze your overall investment strategy.
Ensure your investments align with your financial goals.
Regularly review and adjust your portfolio for optimal performance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Assessing Your LIC Policy
You have a LIC policy where you pay Rs. 2,220 monthly for 10 years. The policy matures in 15 years, with an expected maturity amount of Rs. 5 lakhs. Let's explore if it is wise to continue or discontinue this policy, considering your financial goals.

Evaluating the Policy’s Return
To begin, let's examine the return you are likely to get:

Premium Paid: Over 10 years, you will pay Rs. 2,220 monthly, totaling Rs. 2,66,400.
Maturity Amount: You will receive Rs. 5 lakhs after 15 years.
At first glance, it seems like you are getting back more than you paid. However, when you account for inflation and other factors, the return is modest.

Considering the Inflation Impact
Inflation reduces the purchasing power of your money over time. The Rs. 5 lakhs you expect to receive after 15 years will not have the same value as it does today.

Key Points to Note:

Inflation can erode the real value of your maturity amount.
The return you get may not match your financial needs in 15 years.
Analyzing Alternative Investment Options
There are other investment avenues that might offer better returns with the same or even lower risk. These include mutual funds, especially actively managed ones, where a Certified Financial Planner can help you pick funds that align with your risk profile and goals.

Advantages of Actively Managed Funds:

Potential for higher returns compared to traditional insurance policies.
Professional management and regular adjustments to maximize gains.
Assessing the Disadvantages of Continuing with the Policy
By continuing with the policy, you might miss out on higher returns offered by alternative investments.

Points to Consider:

Traditional insurance policies often provide lower returns.
Opportunity cost of not investing in higher-return options like mutual funds.
Should You Discontinue the Policy?
If your primary goal is wealth creation, this policy might not be the best option. Discontinuing and reallocating your funds could be a better strategy.

What You Should Do:

Consult with a Certified Financial Planner: They can guide you on the best mutual funds to switch to.
Consider Surrendering the Policy: If it aligns with your financial goals, you could surrender the policy and reinvest the proceeds in a better-performing investment.
Assessing the Insurance Aspect
It’s important to consider that this policy may also provide life coverage. However, the coverage offered by such policies is often inadequate compared to term insurance plans.

Key Insights:

Term insurance offers higher coverage at a lower premium.
You could get better protection by opting for a term insurance plan and investing the remaining funds elsewhere.
Understanding the Cost of Surrendering the Policy
If you decide to discontinue the policy, you might incur some costs. It's important to weigh these costs against the benefits of reinvesting your funds.

Key Considerations:

Check the surrender value and any penalties involved.
Calculate the potential gains from alternative investments after accounting for these costs.
Exploring a Balanced Approach
If you're unsure whether to continue or discontinue, a balanced approach could involve maintaining the policy while diversifying your investments.

Points to Think About:

Continue with the policy for its insurance cover while also starting a mutual fund SIP.
Reassess your investment strategy periodically with the help of a Certified Financial Planner.
Final Insights
Continuing with your LIC policy might not be the best decision if wealth creation is your main goal. There are other investment avenues like mutual funds that offer potentially higher returns. You might consider surrendering the policy and reinvesting the funds into mutual funds while ensuring you have adequate life insurance coverage through a term plan.

Steps You Should Take:

Review your financial goals with a Certified Financial Planner.
Consider the benefits of alternative investments like mutual funds.
Ensure you have sufficient life coverage through term insurance.
This way, you can make informed decisions that align with your long-term financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in