Written by : Knowledge Centre Team
2025-10-02
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11 minutes read
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ULIP is one of the most popular financial products in the market. This long-term investment plan has an edge above other plans due to its dual benefit structure. It not only provides you with the safety of your family by providing life security, but also gives you the opportunity to create wealth by investing. In a way, it gives you the best of both worlds, insurance and investing, that too in a single plan.
For anyone looking to grow their money systematically while staying insured, ULIPs can be a smart choice. But to truly maximise your gains, you need to go beyond just investing and invest smartly. Wondering how it can be done? Here are a few things you should do so as to maximise your returns:
Key Takeaways
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In investment, there goes a saying that the best time to start investing was yesterday, the next best is today. The earlier you start investing, the better the chances that your investment will grow. When you invest early, you allow your money more time and potential to grow. Early investment will also lead to compounding returns.
For example, if you start investing, say, ₹10,000 every year starting from your early 20s, your investment will be considerably more than the person who invests double your amount but started 10 years later than you did.
That is the time value of money increases over a period of time. So regular investments from an early age can result in good benefits later on. Another important benefit of investing early, other than the maximisation of returns, is that it also builds a habit of savings and financial independence.
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The simplest way to maximise your returns is to invest the maximum amount you can. This means to save as much as you can and put the maximum part of it for investment.
To safeguard your accumulated returns from market volatility, it’s important to gradually shift your investments from high-risk equity funds to more stable options like debt or liquid funds.
Most ULIP plans in the market offer fund switching options that allow you to make this transition manually or through automated features. A smart strategy is to start this transition a few years before your policy matures. This ensures that your accumulated wealth is protected from sudden market downturns, especially during the final stages of the policy.
By the time your ULIP matures, your investment would largely be in low-risk funds, helping you preserve capital and ensuring that market fluctuations don’t impact your maturity value.
If you think that you cannot deal with the risks associated with investing in equity funds, don’t worry, there is another option to ensure growth. If you want to stay away from the volatility and don’t want hassles, you can get good returns by investing in low-risk debt instruments and staying invested for a longer period of time.
If you carry on with the policy long enough, you are entitled to certain benefits. ULIP plans offer you benefits like wealth boosters and loyalty additions after a certain period to honour your time in their policy. These are often a percentage of the fund value that you receive as a bonus, that is, without additional investment.
Wealth Booster: It is the extra units or bonuses for long-term policyholders (10+ years).
Loyalty Addition: Under this reward, you get additions to your existing fund if you stay invested for more than five years.
Also Read- Short Term VS Long Term Investment -Which one is Better?
ULIP offers you an option to partially withdraw funds. The amount must be invested for a minimum of 5 years, that is the lock-in period before you can withdraw. But if you want the best from your investment, it is advised that you try to avoid withdrawal unless you really need the funds. This is because your withdrawals delve into your funds and thus decrease your sum assured.
Learn - why you shouldn’t exit ULIPs after the end of lock-in period.
As you approach the maturity date of your policy, it’s wise to shift from equity to debt funds to preserve capital and reduce volatility.
Safety Switch Option allows:
Gradual transfer of your fund value from equity to debt
Capital preservation without manual intervention
Stable fund value upon maturity
This automated risk-reduction feature ensures your long-term returns are protected, especially when markets are volatile.
ULIPs offer dual tax benefits under the Income Tax Act:
Section 80C: Premiums up to ₹1.5 lakh annually is tax-deductible
Section 10(10D): Maturity proceeds are tax-free (subject to specified conditions)
To ensure tax-free maturity:
Keep total annual premiums below Rs. 2.5 lakh (as per the latest norms for policies issued post-February 2021)
Maintain a policy for the minimum required duration
These tax benefits effectively enhance your real returns and make ULIPs a tax-efficient investment tool.
Disclaimer: Tax benefits are subject to change in tax laws. Please consult your tax advisor.
Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) offer a unique combination of investment growth and life insurance protection, making them a valuable tool for long-term financial planning. If your goal is to build a retirement corpus, fund your child’s education, or create lasting wealth, ULIPs can be tailored to align with your life objectives and risk appetite.
However, the true potential of ULIPs can only be unlocked with informed and disciplined financial behaviour. To maximise your gains from ULIPs, keep the following principles in mind:
Start early to benefit from compounding
Invest consistently for steady growth and rewards
Choose funds wisely based on your goals and life stage
Use risk management tools like fund switching and auto-rebalancing
Stay invested long term to enjoy bonuses and tax benefits
At Canara HSBC Life Insurance, our ULIP solutions are designed with these principles in mind. With a range of flexible plans, goal-based investment options, and built-in tools to manage market risk, we empower you to make smart decisions and stay on track toward your financial goals.
Remember, the key to success isn’t just investing; it’s investing with a plan. Make every rupee count. Start your ULIP journey today and let your money grow for a safer future.
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.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance offers online ULIP plans that blend life insurance protection with investment growth, helping you build wealth while securing your family's future.