Endowment Policy: What You Need to Know
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An endowment plan is a type of insurance plan that not only provides coverage but also allows you to invest a portion of the premium in bonds, equities, and other investments in order to get a small payment at maturity. As a consequence, if you have long-term goals to pursue, this type of plan is appropriate for you because it provides both coverages and maximizes your savings. The opportunity to earn tax benefits under the Income Tax Act of 1961 and to secure a loan in the case of a financial emergency are two of the key benefits of adopting this type of plan. However, before you purchase one for yourself, you should be aware of a few other elements of this sort of plan.
Why Is An Endowment Plan Important For Investment?
Here are a few reasons why you should invest in endowment plans:
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Payments Of Premiums On A Regular Basis
An endowment plan requires you to pay recurrent premiums over a certain length of time in order to save. You, the policyholder, often choose the amount of premium you pay at the beginning of the policy term, which is beneficial for building a disciplined practice of regular saving. The frequency with which you pay your premium is determined by the plan you pick. Many companies will accept payments on a monthly, semi-annual, quarterly, or yearly basis. It's also worth mentioning that premium discounts for lump-sum annual payments are common, allowing you to save even more money. If you don't have the funds to make annual payments, monthly or quarterly premiums are preferable options.
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Maturity Period Fixed
The term "maturity period" simply refers to the amount of time it takes for your money to mature. When the plan matures, you will get a payment equal to the premiums you paid plus any plan incentives.
Depending on the scheme, endowment plans have maturity periods ranging from three to thirty years. If you're saving for a specific goal, choose a maturity term that allows you to get your money when you need it. For example, if you are newlywed and want to buy an endowment plan to pay for your future child's school, a maturity time of 15-20 years may be a good choice. You may set a maturity date each year for longer-term goals like retirement.
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Bonuses And Guaranteed Returns
You'll be able to see the fruits of your labor when your endowment plan develops. Endowment plans frequently have a guaranteed return amount, which is the very least you will earn regardless of how well the plan performs. It's important to realise that this guaranteed value might be larger or lower than the total amount of premiums you've paid throughout the years. You may also be eligible for (non-guaranteed) rewards at any point throughout the policy period. These are declared by your insurer in order for the profits from the participating fund to be distributed to policyholders.
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Insurance Protection
Endowment plans are a one-of-a-kind hybrid product that combines saving with insurance. The specific terms and conditions of each plan may vary, but in general, your loved ones will get a cash payment if unexpected events occur.
Conclusion
Because the risk is smaller, an endowment plan may make more sense for first-time investors. A professional money manager will handle your investment and make all choices for you. Before you sign up for the plan, you'll also be given information regarding guaranteed returns, which will give you an idea of how much you'll earn after the plan matures.
Do read - Everything You Need to Know About LIC's New Endowment Plan