Financial Planning by Life Stage

Combining Annuity Income with Senior Citizen Health Cover

Ensure stress-free retirement planning by combining annuity income and senior health insurance to handle unexpected medical expenses smartly.

2025-05-07

424 Views

7 minutes read

Retirement should be a period of financial well-being and complete peace of mind. However, with rising medical expenses, which are even higher than the general price level, many citizens find themselves financially unstable and insecure. 

Looking for the right solution? Well, merging annuity income with senior citizen health insurance plans can help alleviate the impact of medical inflation and offer financial stability. Such a combination will provide you with complete financial freedom to beat rising medical inflation.
 

Key Takeaways
 

  • Healthcare costs in India are rising 12–15% annually, far above general inflation, quickly depleting retirement savings without proper planning.
  • Combining annuity income and health coverage ensures a stress-free retirement. 
  • Merging annuity income and health insurance offers dual benefit, i.e., protecting your physical as well as your mental health.
  • With the right approach and right planning, you can prevent asset liquidation during emergencies. 
  • A balanced retirement plan combines health insurance and annuity income, covering medical emergencies and ensuring daily financial stability for peace of mind.

Planning To Retire? Prepare for Soaring Healthcare Expenses

As we grow older, we tend to need more frequent doctor visits, medical checkups, and regular medications. Unfortunately, medical inflation, i.e., the rising cost of health-related products, is increasing much faster than the cost of living. 

According to the Ministry of Statistics and Economic Times, the medical inflation in India is currently between 12% and 15%, significantly higher than the general inflation rate, which stands at around 5% to 6%. However, there are several reasons why medical costs keep rising in India, such as:
 

Factors 

Reasons 

Costly medical technology

The latest technology, like newly advanced scans and robotic surgeries, has made healthcare services more expensive. This includes extensive training on how to use them efficiently and effectively, which adds to the overall cost of healthcare services. 

Rise of Long-term diseases 

Several diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and cancer, are becoming more frequent. This raises total medical expenditures. 

Foreign Patients 

There is an increasing scope for medical tourism in India. This increase in international patients drives up the demand for healthcare services, consequently leading to higher prices.  

Lack of healthcare professionals 

Many doctors and nurses migrate abroad in search of good opportunities. This shortage limits the quality of healthcare services and raises their prices.

Quality Healthcare

People prefer modern treatments and top specialists, but there are not enough resources to serve the needs of everyone. This imbalance between demand and supply increases the prices. 


It simply shows there is a high chance that medical or healthcare expenses could double in the upcoming years. In addition, this can be a critical problem for those people living on fixed and constant pension plans. As for them, the cost seems to be very high, from simple tests to hospital stays. The actual reason for such a difficult condition is that many people don’t plan for these significantly rising costs.

Medical inflation is not just about overspending; it’s about making a wise decision to beat it and make your healthcare services accessible. 

Get Expert Guidance for Your Retirement & Investments

Please enter correct name Please enter the Full name
Please enter valid mobile number Please enter Mobile Number
Please enter valid email Please enter Email

Enter OTP

An OTP has been sent to your mobile number

Didn’t receive OTP?

Application Status

Name

Date of Birth

Plan Name

Status

Unclaimed Amount of the Policyholder as on

Name of the policy holder

Policy Holder Name

Policy No.

Policy Number

Address of the Policyholder as per records

Address

Unclaimed Amount

Unclaimed Amount
Error

Sorry ! No records Found

.  Please use this ID for all future communications regarding this concern.

Request Registered

Thank You for submitting the response, will get back with you.

Understanding The Annuity Income

An annuity is a financial product offered by insurance companies that provides a steady stream of income in exchange for a lump-sum payment. It's an essential component of retirement planning, especially for ensuring a dependable pension plan in India.

For instance, Canara HSBC Life Insurance offers annuity options that provide flexibility and lifelong income and allow you to include your spouse for continued benefits. Here is the overview:
 

Annuity options

Benefits

Pension4life plan

Depending on your needs, this plan gives you different ways to receive your pension.

Immediate annuity plans

This plan offers a regular income stream after your lump sum payment.

Deferred annuity plans

It is an ideal option for those still working and wanting to accumulate a good amount of money. 

Smart guaranteed pension

This plan offers fixed and guaranteed pension income. You can also choose how long you want to pay the premium.

Guaranteed income4life

This plan offers you guaranteed income for a fixed number of years or your entire life. It is great for people looking for a stable and predictable income in retirement.

Saran pension plan 

It is considered one of the good pension plans in India. It offers two options: a single-life annuity and a joint-life annuity.

Why Senior Citizens Must Have Health Insurance in India?

Senior citizens need health insurance more than ever for various reasons. As age increases, medical expenses also increase. Earlier, it used to be a minor allocation from a monthly expenditure, but now it has become a key issue. From doctor consultations to chronic treatments, the prices of all have skyrocketed. 

What’s the solution for this? If you think of health insurance, you are right. Health insurance coverage helps meet unexpected medical emergencies or protects you from high out-of-pocket expenses. It safeguards and ensures your health and financial security remain intact. This is exactly why health insurance is a non-negotiable component of retirement planning, especially for senior citizens in India.  Here are some of the reasons to explore:

  1. Better Access to Trusted Hospitals and Doctors - One of the biggest advantages for policyholders is the assurance of quality healthcare. With access to a wide network of top-tier hospitals and highly qualified medical professionals, they can receive the best treatment without any compromise on care or facilities. This coverage ensures that you don't have to compromise with your healthcare facilities.

  2. Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases - As we discussed earlier, the chances of health problems increase with age. These problems may include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc. These chronic problems often need frequent medical checkups and follow-ups. Only a good pension plan in India can help you control these rising expenses, which may quickly drain all your savings.

  3. The Growing Burden of Medical Bills - We are all very well aware of the rising medical costs. The cost of surgeries, hospital stays, and even small checkups has been increasing every year. Your health insurance coverage may provide significant benefits in meeting these costs, but you need a strong and solid retirement fund to beat inflation. Interested in finding out more?
trivia-img

Did You Know?

Health insurance premiums in India typically increase by 10–15% every five years for individuals aged 60 and above.

Source: Economic Times

iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus

The Perfect Combo: Annuity and Health Cover

To secure your retirement planning, you need a perfect combination of annuity income and senior citizen health insurance. While planning for retirement, you must consider both, as one helps you meet everyday needs, and the other keeps you safe from unexpected medical costs.

Here is the overview:
 

Benefit

Annuity

Health Insurance

Medical emergency

Avoids the sinking of your long-term investments.

Pays for hospitalisation and medical surgeries

Monthly Living

Regular and steady flow of income for daily expenses

No pressure to save every rupee from the savings

Financially independent

No dependency on children

Protects you from unexpected medical expenses

Peace of mind

Sense of comfort from a reliable source of income

Access to quality medical treatment


Therefore, combining annuity income with senior citizen health insurance can build substantial wealth and a corpus for your retirement. Canara HSBC Life Insurance offers a diverse range of reliable pension plans in India that are thoughtfully tailored to suit the unique needs of retirees in India. 

We also offer senior citizen health insurance plans that cover serious health problems, cashless hospitalisation, and many other quality services. These approaches can significantly reduce rising medical inflation and allow you to live your retirement life with complete freedom and mental calm. 

Conclusion

Relying only on your savings is an approach to building a corpus to help you during retirement. That’s why effective retirement planning focuses more on annuity plans and comprehensive health insurance policies. Such a good pension plan in India helps you make informed financial decisions for retirement. This method allows you to live with confidence and dignity, especially during retirement. 

Glossary

  1. Medical inflation: A significant rise in healthcare costs faster than regular prices, making treatments costlier yearly.
  2. Chronic disease: Long-lasting or serious health problem, like diabetes or high blood pressure, that needs regular care and treatment.
  3. Single-life annuity: This is a type of annuity option that provides regular income to one person until their death.
  4. Joint life annuity: A plan that gives you a regular flow of income and continues for your spouse after you.
  5. Robotic surgeries: Surgical procedures with high accuracy by robots. They are usually less painful and quicker to recover from.
glossary-img
Uncertain About Insurance

FAQs

Yes, you can get tax benefits under Section 80CCC for the premiums paid on annuity plans. However, the income you receive from the annuity is taxable.

If your medical expenses exceed the coverage, you'll need to pay the remaining amount from your savings. That's why having health insurance and annuity income is a good idea.

It is best to start an annuity plan when you retire, usually between 55 and 60. Starting earlier gives you better options for a steady income during retirement.

A good health insurance plan for seniors in India usually costs between ₹20,000 and ₹35,000 per year. The cost depends on your age, health, and the coverage you choose.

Yes, health insurance premiums usually increase as you get older due to rising healthcare costs. The rate of increase depends on your insurer and policy terms.

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

Retirement - Top Selling Plans

We bring you a collection of popular Canara HSBC life insurance plans. Forget the dusty brochures and endless offline visits! Dive into the features of our top-selling online insurance plans and buy the one that meets your goals and requirements. You and your wallet will be thankful in the future as we brighten up your financial future with these plans.

Recent Blogs

What is Superannuation? Types and Tax Benefits
07 Jan '26
707 Views
9 minute read
A superannuation benefit is a type of benefit that is paid to the employees by their employers as a pension benefit. Learn what superannuation is and how it works.
Read More
Retirement Plan
What is Family Pension? Everything You Need to Know
05 Jan '26
1828 Views
10 minute read
Family Pension is a government scheme for central government employees. Learn its meaning, eligibility criteria, and how it works with Canara HSBC Life Insurance.
Read More
Retirement Plan
Is NPS Tax Benefit Available in New Tax Regime? | NPS Deduction Rules
05 Jan '26
4225 Views
7 minute read
Is NPS tax benefit allowed in the new tax regime? Understand eligibility, Section 80CCD(2) deductions, and how NPS works for taxpayers.
Read More
Retirement Plan
What is Pension? Meaning, Types & Benefits Explained
04 Jan '26
3682 Views
12 minute read
A pension is a retirement fund contributed by the employer, employee, or both, with the employer covering the largest share. Learn more with Canara HSBC Life Insurance!
Read More
Retirement Plan
What Is a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and How Does It Pay?
23 Dec '25
1264 Views
8 minute read
What is a defined benefit pension plan? Learn how it guarantees a fixed retirement income based on salary and years of service, and why it matters for long-term security.
Read More
Retirement Plan
How Can You Plan to Build a ₹5 Crore Retirement Corpus?
20 Dec '25
886 Views
8 minute read
Learn how to create a ₹5 crore retirement corpus using disciplined savings, investments in equities and debt, compounding, risk management, and goal-based planning strategies.
Read More
Retirement Plan
What is PRAN in NPS? Full Form & Role in National Pension System
20 Dec '25
1027 Views
8 minute read
Discover what PRAN means and its vital role in NPS. Learn how PRAN helps manage pension accounts under India’s National Pension System.
Read More
Retirement Plan
What Are the Different Types of Annuity Plans in India?
18 Dec '25
1077 Views
8 minute read
You can invest in many types of annuities in India. Learn about the main types of annuity plans in India, including immediate, deferred, life, joint life, and guaranteed annuities, and how each suits different retirement needs.
Read More
Retirement Plan
NPS Returns: Meaning and Benefits of NPS Returns
18 Dec '25
3432 Views
10 minute read
NPS returns depend on the performance of allocated funds. Learn how to maximize your NPS returns and explore alternative retirement investment options.
Read More
Retirement Plan