Many of us are last-minute tax planners. Tax planning is often not part of financial planning at the beginning of the year but a hasty decision towards the end of the year. You might go for loans and investments without putting much thought into them. However, it is important to keep your long term financial goals in mind. One of the popular tax-saving instruments are ULIPs.

What are ULIPs?

A ULIP or a Unit Linked Insurance Plan is an insurance-cum-investment plan. A part of the premium is paid towards a life cover and the other part is invested in funds chosen as per your financial goals and risk appetite. The investment part of a ULIP could be in equity, debt, or balanced schemes. There are multiple ULIP benefits that make them good strategies for the long term.

Lock-in period

ULIPs generally come with a lock-in period of 5 years. This inculcates a habit of saving and investing on a regular basis. The premium payments can be monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or even yearly, depending on your insurer. Once you sustain it for five years, it becomes easier for you to save, invest and allocate in the later years. You also learn about the market and about which funds could be more profitable.

Dual Benefit

The very essence of a ULIP is that provides you with a life cover along with an investment. Once you make an investment, you can simultaneously work towards your investment goals while securing your family's future. This takes a lot of financial management burden off your shoulders in the long run.

Potential of better returns

Insurance policies are very popular as tax-saving instruments. However, they offer fixed returns and cannot beat inflation. On the other hand, a ULIP invests partly in equity and debt funds. The option of switching investments gives you the flexibility to decide how much of your money is invested in equity at a certain point of time. These features together make for potentially better returns as compared to pure insurance policies.

Flexibility

Since you have the option to choose from multiple fund options, you can calculate and measure risks. The facility to switch between funds also gives added flexibility. Unlike shares, you don't have to constantly keep track of the companies that your fund has invested in. You just need to decide on allocations based on the performance of your fund.

If you are looking for a ULIP with good flexibility, you can check out the Invest 4G plan from Canara HSBC . It offers 7 different funds to choose from and 4 portfolio strategies for investing your money. It also offers the flexibility of switching and redirection of fund options as per changes in your risk preferences.

Tax benefits

One of the main ULIP benefits is that premium payments are tax-deductible under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The maturity proceeds are also exempt from tax under Section 10(10D). Moreover, ULIPs are one of the few instruments to not fall under the ambit of the Long Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG Tax). Fund switches and partial withdrawals, too, are tax-free. Thus, a ULIP makes for an excellent tax saving device in the long-term.

Partial withdrawals

Once your lock-in period of 5 years is over, you can make partial withdrawals. This allows you the leeway of using a part of your investment for emergency financial needs while also continuing with your long-term goals.

Top-ups

When you have a surplus of savings that you want to invest, you can opt for a ULIP top-up instead of a new investment altogether. Top-ups are usually charged at just 1%-2%, which will generally be lower than the regular premium cost. Thus your average cost becomes lesser. A top-up will cost you less and increase your investment and potential returns while also increasing your life cover.

It is always a good time to invest in a ULIP. If you haven't invested yet, you might want to check out the Invest4G plan from Canara HSBC. It offers the option of a return of mortality charge. Other benefits include loyalty additions and wealth boosters.