Money Tips

Posted on by Artharthi Financial Services

Some very important financial tips that everyone should know and execute it for better life….

1. Avoid buying property on loans as it eats most of your earnings unless you have a clear plan for its repayment. It’s important to monitor cash flow. Though, the house will be your asset, your liability will be much more. A better idea is to stay on rent as rental yields are low. Secondly your liquidity will increase. Thirdly your investment corpus will increase. All this will result in more wealth creation.

2. Start a SIP at a very young age. Try to save atleast 15–25 % of your earnings.

3. Avoid buying a car unless you use it everyday.

4. Do not let this sentence scare you. “Mutual fund investment are subject to market risk. Please read the offer documents carefully before investing”. Most people avoid investing in mutual funds just because of this one warning. Yes, there is a market risk, but look at the history and growth of mutual funds.

5. Try having a simple wedding.

6. Most of your wealth should be liquid so you can utilize it when necessary.

7. Considering inflation, you are actually losing money if it is in savings bank account. Do not keep huge money in savings bank account.

8. If you invest in stocks, pay due attention.

9. Else a mutual fund portfolio is a better and sustainable option where an expert fund manager looks after your portfolio.

10. Do not have a belief that property and car make you rich. Its what you save and invest, that creates wealth.

11. Never invest in insurance for returns. Insurance is not an investment option. It is a risk management tool.

12. Never use credit cards for lavish spending. Use credit cards intelligently and for Needs not for Wants.

13. Cancel all credit cards before you retire. Or inform family about all your accounts, credit cards, loans and saving now itself. Even a small residue will cost your family much.

14. Invest on yourself and then on other investments.

15. Always try to balance your earnings with your savings first, then on spending and loans. Never take unnecessary loans. Always have reserve and utilise them.

16. Always have a plan for future events on your career, life, spending and finance.

17. Always have a reserve on your savings for contingency and urgent situations.

18. Your personal life and health are the most important investment. Do have a regular health check and do healthy workout every day. Stay healthy and live happily.

19. Always remember death can come anytime…..so please do buy adequate Term Insurance if you have dependents.

20. Prepare a Will. It may avoid unnecessary fights after you die.

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Complete Break – Up of Your Life Insurance Premium

Posted on by Artharthi Financial Services

The premium of a life insurance policy comprises of various charges put together. Some charges are common, a few vary on the basis of the type of policy, e.g:- Term, ULIP, Endowment etc…

Savings

Endowment Plans guarantee a maturity benefit after the policy tenure. To cater to this, a portion of the premium is invested in various avenues such as bonds, government securities, and GILT and money market instruments. This is not really a charge but a contribution that is made by the policy holder towards building a maturity corpus, deducted from the premium.

ULIP – Unit Linked Investment Plan

  • Mortality Charges

The most important part, mortality charges are what you would be paying the insurer, for the cover you get in return. Considered as the actual cost of your insurance, it is a vital part of the premium (around 15%). This mortality charge is calculated by insurance companies by using what is known as a “Life-Mortality table”, prescribed by the IRDA. The calculation is based on the average Indian life expectancy ratio. It also considers gender, age, profession, place of residence and overall profile of the insured for calculation. The younger and healthier you are, mortality charges work out lower.

Mortality charges are higher in riskier investment based insurance policies such as ULIPs in comparison to Plain Vanilla Term Plans.

  • Fund Management Charges

The fund management charges are typically applicable to an investment insurance policy such as a Unit Linked or Endowment Plan. For managing and investing your money in a particular fund, a fee is charged by the insurance company. The amount is anywhere between 1% to 2.5%, of the Assets Under Management (AUM). Fund management charge greatly depends on the type of fund chosen. The more aggressive the fund manager’s role in the portfolio, the higher the charge, in comparison to a low risk debt fund.  This charge is adjusted in the daily Net Asset Value of the fund.

  • Policy Administration Charges

For the insurance company’s expenses towards paperwork,  maintenance and administration, an amount known as policy administration charges (PAC) is levied. Chargeable on a monthly basis, this is a flat rate that varies from insurer to insurer, and policy to policy. On an average it is around 0.5% of the annual premium chargeable per month.

  • Premium Allocation Charge

Premium Allocation Charges are very typically associated with Unit Linked Plans. Though termed premium allocation, it actually has nothing to do with allocations. It is that charge that goes towards, any commission/ service charge for the insurance agent. It is deducted from your premium before the balance is invested in the fund of your choice.  Premium allocation charges are highest in the first policy year. It is deducted upfront from the premium paid on a yearly or monthly basis, depending on your policy.

  • Goods & Service Tax Charge

Mandated and declared by the government which is currently at 18% Goods & Service Tax (GST) is applicable on all charges such as fund management charge, premium allocation, mortality.

  • Other Charges

These below mentioned charges are levied along with your premium in case you opt for it.

  • Rider charges

If you seek a more comprehensive cover and opt for a rider such as a personal accident cover or critical illness benefit along with your life cover, you are charges an additional premium amount. The cost depends upon on the rider you choose.

  • Switch Charges

If you opt to switch over from one fund type to another in your ULIP policy, you may be charged for doing so. This charge is levied when the switch is actually made at; is a flat rate.

 

To Summarize

The Break – Up of insurance plan depends purely on the type of policy it is.

Pure Vanilla Term Plans have a premium comprising of mortality, administration and service tax only. As term plan does not have any maturity corpus, there is no requirement on the part of the insurance company to manage any portfolio. It is for this reason, term plans work as a cost effective insurance policy.

On the other hand, unit linked plans, top the scale when it comes to high premiums. Considering the investment component in the policy; it requires more management and administration, thus making it an expensive option.