Saving Taxes!
Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) and Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP) both are popular investment options to get tax benefits under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, but they both are differ significantly in terms of their structure, investment objectives, and Nature.
To choose between the two, you must align your financial objective and goals to the schemes and select the one that suits you the best. Below is a comprehensive comparison of ULIPs vs ELSS, covering their key features, advantages, and disadvantages.
ELSS is a diversified, equity mutual fund. The scheme invests in the capital market and selects companies with different market capitalizations. In a financial year, an investor can claim a tax deduction of up to Rs 1,50,000 against investments made in ELSS. These investments have a mandatory lock-in period of three years from the time of investing.
ULIP is an investment plus insurance product where one part of the investment is used for ensuring the investor, while the other part is invested in the products of his/her choice.
Investors can choose to invest in equity, debt, hybrid, or money market funds through ULIPs. Of the amount invested in ULIPs, a contribution of up to Rs 150,000 can be claimed as the tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
These investments have a lock-in of five years. An investor can choose to switch from equity to debt or hybrid as per their investment objective during the lifecycle of the investment.
Nature of Investment
ULIP
ELSS
Tax Benefits
Charges
Lock-in Period
Liquidity
Returns
Risk Factor
Flexibility
Purpose
Taxation on Returns
Feature | ULIP (Unit-Linked Insurance Plan) | ELSS (Equity-Linked Savings Scheme) |
---|---|---|
Nature | Hybrid (Insurance + Investment) | Purely Investment (Mutual Fund) |
Tax Benefit | Section 80C (Premiums), Section 10(10D) (Maturity) | Section 80C (Investments), LTCG Tax |
Lock-in Period | 5 years | 3 years |
Charges | Higher (Multiple Charges) | Lower Expense Ratio |
Returns | Lower, market-linked with insurance | Higher, market-linked (Equity) |
Liquidity | Limited (Surrender after 5 years) | Higher (Redeem after 3 years) |
Flexibility | Can switch funds, change premiums | No flexibility in fund switching |
Risk | Market + Insurance risks | Purely Market Risk (Equity Exposure) |
Purpose | Insurance + Investment | Investment Only |
It’s crucial to evaluate your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon before choosing between ULIPs and ELSS. You might also want to consult a financial advisor to make an informed decision based on your needs.