I am single and retired with no family or loan commitments. with my enough funds in dividend funds for my routine monthly expenses, I have taken a Health Insurance for Rs.10 lacs with Royal Sundaram and life insurance term plan for Rs.50 lacs and Traditional insurance plan from LIC for Rs. 25 lacs on various named policies out of which except yearly premium of Rs.50,000 all policy payment terms were over. (policies like Jeevan Tarang, Jeevan Amrut etc) To cover this Rs.50000 insurance premium, I am getting survival benefit from Jeevan Tarang policy every year; only the date will differ which I could manage with my credit card payment.
Can you please advise me whether the health insurance cover is okay and Life cover is okay; or should I take extra cover. Though I do not require to leave a legacy, I may also surrender the policy, in case of need.
please advise
Ans: Financial Overview
Current Status
You are single and retired.
No family or loan commitments.
Insurance Policies
Health insurance: Rs. 10 lakhs with Royal Sundaram.
Life insurance term plan: Rs. 50 lakhs.
Traditional insurance plans from LIC: Rs. 25 lakhs.
Annual insurance premium: Rs. 50,000.
Appreciating Your Efforts
You have a well-structured plan.
Health and life insurance cover your needs.
Insurance Review
Health Insurance
Your health insurance cover is Rs. 10 lakhs.
Consider increasing it to Rs. 20 lakhs.
This ensures better protection against rising medical costs.
Life Insurance
Your life cover is Rs. 50 lakhs.
Since you have no family commitments, this is sufficient.
Traditional Insurance Plans
Jeevan Tarang and Jeevan Amrut
These plans provide survival benefits.
Use these benefits to pay your annual premium.
Surrender Option
Consider surrendering these policies if needed.
The surrender value can be reinvested in mutual funds.
Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds
Actively managed funds can offer higher returns.
Consider SIPs in large-cap and balanced funds.
PPF and NPS
Continue with PPF and NPS investments.
They offer safety and tax benefits.
Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lower Returns
Index funds mimic the market.
They often yield lower returns compared to actively managed funds.
Lack of Flexibility
Index funds have less flexibility.
Actively managed funds adapt to market conditions.
Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Lack of Guidance
Direct funds lack professional advice.
Regular funds provide support through MFDs with CFP credentials.
Higher Risk
Direct funds can be riskier.
Professional guidance helps mitigate risks.
Emergency Fund
Maintain Liquidity
Keep an emergency fund.
Ensure it's equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses.
Liquid Mutual Funds
Consider liquid mutual funds for this purpose.
They offer better returns than savings accounts.
Action Plan
Increase Health Cover
Increase your health insurance to Rs. 20 lakhs.
Review Traditional Policies
Consider surrendering LIC policies.
Reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds.
Continue SIPs
Increase SIP contributions.
Focus on large-cap and balanced funds.
Maintain Emergency Fund
Keep a sufficient emergency fund.
Use liquid mutual funds for better returns.
Final Insights
Your current insurance and investment strategy is commendable.
Consider increasing your health cover for better protection.
Reevaluate traditional policies and focus on mutual funds.
Maintain an emergency fund for financial stability.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in