ULIP vs. SIP: Choose the Better Investment Option for Better Returns

Investments are a must if you want to create wealth and multiply your savings. Investments also help you meet your future goals as what you invest today accumulates into a corpus in the future. That is why almost everyone invests their savings into different investment avenues that suit their risk appetite and investment strategy. If you don’t mind taking risks and want to invest in avenues that give you returns linked to the market, there are two investment options that are quite popular – ULIPs and Mutual fund SIPs. Many investors believe that both these avenues are the same. Alternatively, many investors know that these avenues are different but the differences are not very well known. So, let’s study the concept of ULIPs and SIPs, understand their differences, and find out which one to choose.

Table of Contents

• ULIP
• SIP
• ULIP vs SIP – the similarities
• ULIPs vs SIP – the concept of NAV
• ULIPs vs SIP – the differences
• ULIPs vs SIPs – Which one should you choose?

What is ULIP?

A Unit Linked Insurance Plan, ULIP, is a plan of insurance that provides life insurance coverage as well as investment returns. When you invest in ULIPs, the premiums paid are invested in different types of funds. these funds, in turn, invest their corpus in different types of market-linked securities. thereafter, as the market performs your fund value changes. In case of death during the term of the policy, the higher of the fund value or the sum assured is paid. this ensures optimal insurance coverage even if your investments are not enough. When the plan matures, however, the available fund value is paid. ULIPs, therefore, give insurance coverage over the policy tenure as well as investment returns on maturity.

What is SIP?

SIP stands for Systematic Investment Plan. SIPs are a type of mutual fund investment where you invest your money in a chosen mutual fund scheme regularly at specified intervals. You can invest small amounts monthly or after any period and create a good corpus. the investment of different investors is created into a pool using which the scheme invests in different securities of the capital market. thereafter, as the value of the invested securities changes the value of your investments also changes. When you redeem the investment you get the value applicable on the date of redemption.

ULIP vs SIP – the similarities

ULIPs and SIPs are often considered to be the same because of the following similarities –

• Both invest in market-oriented securities giving you market-linked returns
• While SIPs mean investing in small amounts at regular intervals, under ULIPs too you can choose to invest regularly in small amounts over the policy tenure
• Both investment avenues pool together the investments from different investors and then invest in different securities based on the asset allocation of the fund
• You can get attractive returns from both schemes
• Investments into ULIPs and ELSS SIPs both qualify for deduction up to INR 1.5 lakhs under Section 80C
• A switching facility is available under both schemes where you can change the investment funds
• You can also withdraw partially from the funds of both ULIPs and SIPs

ULIPs vs SIP – the concept of NAV

Both ULIPs and SIPs invest your money in chosen funds based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund. NAV depicts the per unit cost of the fund. It is calculated using the following formula –

NAV = (market value of the portfolio – existing liabilities) / total number of securities held

the money pooled from different investors is invested in different securities having different values. When the aggregate value of the securities purchased are added, it gives the market value of the portfolio. the liabilities are then deducted from the value to arrive at the net value of the portfolio. this value is divided by the number of securities which was bought using the pooled investments. this gives you the Net Asset Value of the fund. As the market value of securities changes every day, NAV also changes and it is dynamic in nature.

ULIPs vs SIP – the differences

Now that you know the similarities, let’s look at the differences between these two investment avenues which completely sets them apart from each other –

ULIPs vs SIPs – Which one should you choose?

Now that you know the differences between ULIPs and SIPs, which one do you think would be better for you?

Both ULIPs and SIPs have their respective pros and cons. To choose the best avenue you should understand your investment requirements and then make a choice. What is ideal for one investor might not be good for another. So, assess your needs and then make a choice.

ULIPs would be a good choice if-

• Your investment horizon is long-term
• You need to fulfill specific financial goals that can be fulfilled with your ULIP portfolio
• Tax efficiency is extremely important for your financial portfolio
• You can manage your investment portfolio by actively switching from one fund to another depending on your financial goals and market conditions
• You need a life insurance cover also

So, for example, if you want to

• Create a corpus for your child’s future education when your child is just a toddler, ULIP would be an ideal investment avenue
• Save taxes on your investments and the corpus that you have created would also be tax-free for your child’s financial needs.

Moreover, if you buy a child ULIP,

• in case of your death during the policy tenure, the plan would still continue undisturbed.
• The insurance company would pay the premium for the remaining duration of the policy and promise a maturity benefit after the term is over.

This way, you can be ensured that the life cover available under child ULIP would create a good corpus for your child whether you are around or not.

On the other hand, SIPs make sense if-

• You want liquidity in your investment portfolio
• You want the charges to be the lowest
• You know your risk appetite and favor one type of investment fund
• You already have life cover through another insurance plan and you need only investment returns
• You want a pure investment portfolio, even if you need to pay taxes on the same

For instance, if you want to buy a car shortly and want to invest for a shorter duration, mutual fund SIPs would be good. You can invest regularly to create a good corpus which would help make the down payment of your car. Moreover, if you like taking risks, you can invest in equity mutual funds for attractive returns.

So, weigh both investment avenues on their respective needs and then choose the one that suits your requirements perfectly.

Read more:

• Changes made in ULIPs
• ULIPs can now attract tax
• ULIP vs ELSS

FAQs

1. What is the term of ULIPs?
   ULIPs are available for terms ranging from 5 years to up to 30 or 35 years. In fact, there is whole life ULIP as well which gives you coverage till 99 or 100 of age.
2. What charges are deducted from SIP investments?
   An entry load might be deducted from the amount that you invest in SIPs.
3. Are SIPs and mutual funds different?
   No, SIPs and mutual funds are the same. SIP is a way of investing in mutual fund schemes wherein, instead of a lump sum investment, you pay periodically.
4. Can ULIPs be bought online?
   Yes, you can buy ULIPs online through Turtlemint. Turtlemint gives you a platform to compare ULIPs of different insurance companies and then buy the best plan as per your coverage needs. You can buy ULIPs through Turtlemint within minutes by filling out an application form and paying the premiums online.

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