LIC has recently launched a new participating LIC Navjeevan plan in March 2019. It is a non-linked participating traditional life insurance plan. Regular readers will know that I am not a big fan of traditional life insurance. You get low life coverage and poor returns. By the way, this has nothing to do with LIC. Such plans from private insurers come with similar issues … [Read more...] about LIC NavJeevan Plan: Why the plan is structured this way?
Mutual Funds, ULIPs, NPS, PMS: How is return performance reported?
As investors, we like to compare different investment products while making an investment choice. Most of us compare different products on their returns. We look at 3-year, 5-year, 10-year returns. We look at rolling returns for various horizons. That is good. However, we must also look at the way the performance is reported. You may not get what is reported. In this post, … [Read more...] about Mutual Funds, ULIPs, NPS, PMS: How is return performance reported?
How to invest if you have low risk appetite?
Investors have different levels of risk tolerance. Some don’t bat an eyelid even if their portfolio nosedives by 25-30% while others worry even if their portfolio is down half a percent. The first category of investors are likely experienced investors while the second category have a low level of risk tolerance. How should such investors with low risk appetite or tolerance … [Read more...] about How to invest if you have low risk appetite?
Who is NRI as per FEMA and Income Tax Act?
Moving abroad for employment or planning to shift back to India permanently? How will your income be taxed? Can you continue holding NRE deposit and continue to get tax-free interest? Well, everything begins with finding out whether you qualify as an NRI or a resident. And this may not always be easy. To add to the confusion, the definition of Non-resident is different under … [Read more...] about Who is NRI as per FEMA and Income Tax Act?
If you are a young investor, volatility can be your friend
If you are new to equity markets, you may have some discomfort with volatility. If you are closer to retirement or you are making a lumpsum investment, this discomfort is quite justified too. You can lose a lot of money and put your financial well-being in danger. However, if you are a young investor, volatility should not concern you too much. Let’s try to understand … [Read more...] about If you are a young investor, volatility can be your friend
Mutual funds: Growth or dividend? What should you choose?
You have decided to invest in mutual funds. You have selected the best mutual funds for you. You have also decided whether you want to invest lump sum or through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) or STPs. There is one decision that you are yet to make. Which investment option to select? Growth or dividend or dividend re-investment? In this post, we will discuss the … [Read more...] about Mutual funds: Growth or dividend? What should you choose?
Claims Settlement Ratio of Life Insurance Companies (FY2018)
In an earlier post on claim settlement ratio, I had delved into claims data of health insurance companies for FY2018. In this post, let’s look at the claims settlement ratio for the life insurance companies for FY2018. Understanding claims settlement data for life insurance companies is relatively easier since the insured event (death of the insured) is quite crisp. There … [Read more...] about Claims Settlement Ratio of Life Insurance Companies (FY2018)
Budget 2019: Key Highlights
The Union budget 2019 was presented on Feb 1, 2019. There were some tax sops offered to the middle class. A new pension scheme for the workers in the unorganized sector was launched. There was an announcement of guaranteed basic income for certain section of farmers. So, something for everyone. Here are the highlights. 1. Income tax … [Read more...] about Budget 2019: Key Highlights
Claims Settlement Data of Health Insurance Companies (FY2018): How to interpret?
While selecting an insurance plan, the first filter you apply is on the Claims settlement ratios. Lower the claim settlement for a company, the more you are likely to stay away from the company. IRDA came out with its annual report for FY2017-2018 in January 2019. In this post, let’s look at claims data of health insurance companies for FY2017-2018. Claims Data is presented … [Read more...] about Claims Settlement Data of Health Insurance Companies (FY2018): How to interpret?
PFP Primer: What are ETFs?
In simple words, ETF or Exchange traded funds are index funds that trade on stock exchanges like shares. An ETF allows you to buy and sell an entire index like a stock. ETFs provide diversification with a single investment and limited amount of capital and at a small cost. Let’s say you want to take exposure to Nifty 100 benchmark. To be able to do that, you will have to … [Read more...] about PFP Primer: What are ETFs?
