What Makes ULIP a Tax-Saving Investment Option?

2025-07-21

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Do you get confused when navigating the financial planning landscape? You are not the only one who gets overwhelmed by the plethora of investment options with diverse benefits. What if there were a tool that acted as a safety net, helped you grow your wealth, and offered tax benefits? Well, that’s what a Unit Linked Insurance Plan or ULIP is all about. This financial product combines growth potential and secures your life.

Let us embark on an exploratory journey into the world of ULIPs and how they can prove to be tax-efficient solutions.

Key Takeaways

ULIPs combine life insurance and market-linked investments. They offer dual benefits in one financial product.
They also offer tax deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80C and tax-free maturity under Section 10(10D) if premiums are within limits.
Fund switching and partial withdrawals (up to 20%) are exempt from tax. This makes ULIPs more flexible than most investment tools.
They allow investment in equity, debt, or balanced funds, with the ability to switch based on your risk appetite or market trends.
ULIPs now follow updated taxation rules post-Budget 2025; profits on high-premium ULIPs may be taxed under capital gains.

Understanding ULIPs

Do you know that a ULIP is a hybrid financial product? It offers triple benefits: insurance, investment & tax exemptions. The premium is divided into two parts. One is allocated to life insurance to provide financial security for your loved ones. The remainder is invested in various market-linked funds like equity, debt, etc. Additionally, the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides provisions for tax benefits. No wonder ULIPs are a popular choice among investors today.

Know the Tax Benefits of ULIPs

The fact that you can save on your taxes makes ULIPs one of the best investment options available in the market today. The latest tax regulations bring along several benefits, such as:

Tax Deductions on Premium Paid

Section 80C of the Income Tax Act entitles you to tax benefits. How? Get a tax deduction for a premium amount of up to ₹1.5 lakhs in a financial year. However, the ULIP must have been purchased after April 2012, and your annual premium must not be more than 10% of the sum assured.

Tax-Free Maturity Proceeds

ULIP maturity proceeds are exempt from tax under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act if the annual premium is less than ₹2.5 lakh. For higher premiums, the maturity benefits will be taxable.

No Tax for Partial Withdrawals

When you invest in ULIPs such as the ones offered by Canara HSBC Life Insurance, you can withdraw funds partially after the completion of the mandatory lock-in period. This can help you meet your financial obligations. The best part? The withdrawal amount is tax-free, provided it is not more than 20% of the total fund value.

Tax Efficiency in Fund Switching

Do you know ULIP allows you to switch between funds to get the maximum returns? The income tax department does not consider this to be a withdrawal and, hence, exempts the amount from being taxed.

Know the Additional Benefits ULIPs Offer

While ULIPs are known for their tax advantages, they come with a bouquet of other benefits that can work in your favour. These include:

Flexibility in Investment Choices

You invest your funds in ULIP depending on your risk tolerance, diversifying it into equity, debt, or balanced funds. But what if suddenly the market turns, and your funds are invested in a fund that is not growing very fast? You can transfer funds to benefit from the market performance. When your ULIP is nearing maturity, transfer your money into secure funds to protect your fund value from market fluctuations.

Long-Term Wealth Creation

ULIPs are meant for the long term and can help with wealth accumulation. The lock-in period of 5 years brings an investment discipline. On the other hand, its market-linked structure ensures that your funds will grow rapidly over time.

Life Insurance Coverage

Do you know what makes ULIPs an attractive investment choice? It is the dual benefit it offers. While it helps with wealth creation, it also provides life coverage, ensuring the financial security of your loved ones.

Option for Partial Withdrawal

After the five-year lock-in period, you can partially withdraw funds from your ULIP to meet unforeseen expenses. Plan strategically to fulfil certain responsibilities, like buying a house, a child’s education, etc.

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Key Considerations Before Investing in ULIPs

While ULIPs offer a lot of benefits, consider these factors before investing in them:

Applicable Charges

While ULIP is a great instrument for wealth creation, you have to incur several charges. You must understand these charges to know how they can impact your overall returns. These include:

Premium Allocation Charges
Fund Management Charges
Policy Administration Charges
Partial Withdrawal Charges
Mortality Charges
Switching Charges
Rider Charges
Surrender Charges

Investment Duration

Looking for a short-term investment? ULIP is not for you. Since it comes with a 5-year lock-in period, it is designed for long-term plans. Also, being a market-linked commodity, you should be patient and let your wealth grow. Staying invested in this plan for a longer period will bring you better returns.

Risk Assessment

ULIPs come with their fair share of risks as they are linked to market performance. So, before you put your hard-earned money into them, think about how much risk you are willing to take. Diversify your funds accordingly.

Did You Know?

Starting April 1, 2026, any ULIP policy with annual premiums over ₹2.5 lakh will be subject to tax on the returns earned.

Source: Upstox

Conclusion

ULIPs are multifaceted with their dual benefits of investment growth and life coverage. Add to this their tax efficiency, and you have a sure-shot winner on your hands. In the current financial scenario, their range of benefits can work wonders for your economic growth while also helping you save money on taxes. So, learn about them in detail and harness their full potential for wealth building and tax saving.

Glossary

Market Sentiment: The overall mood or tone of investors in the market, driven by news or emotions, influences buying and selling.
ULIP Schemes: A financial product combining life insurance and market-linked investments with tax benefits.
Portfolio: A mix of financial assets like stocks, bonds, and funds owned by an individual to grow wealth or manage risk.
Equity: An ownership share in a company, often purchased as stocks, offering growth potential but with higher market risk.
Debt Funds: Investments primarily in fixed-income securities like government or corporate bonds, ideal for stable, low-risk returns.

FAQs

The fund value of ULIP refers to the total premium value invested in various funds. The formula to calculate it is as follows:

Fund Value = Total Number of units under a policy x Net Asset Value

Since ULIP has a 5-year lock-in period, you are eligible for a tax deduction on the premium only if you have paid it for 5 consecutive years.

Yes! According to Section 112A of the Income Tax Act, if you hold a ULIP with a premium of less than ₹2.5 lakhs for more than a year, you will have to pay 12.5% tax on the profits during withdrawal. This will come under the head Income from Capital Gains. However, you can get an exemption of up to ₹1.25 lakhs annually under Long Term Capital Gains.

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.

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