Each investment option has advantages and disadvantages of its own, as well as a sector it falls within. The Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), Public Provident Fund (PPF), and the Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) are examples of financial tools that fall into several categories: debt, equity, and insurance, respectively. Because each of these three goods is eligible for Section 80C tax deductions, taxpayers should compare them. Investors should weigh all relevant considerations before making an investment selection because, aside from tax advantages, each of these instruments offers a different set of perks and drawbacks.
ELSS, PPF, and ULIP are three investment options that offer Section 80C benefits up to 1.5 Lakhs per year while also giving investors good returns. But selecting which of these three options is just right in terms of investment returns and tax advantages relies on several criteria, including:
1. Liquidity: In comparison to ULIP and PPF, which possess lock-in durations of 5 years and 15 years, respectively, ELSS provides the shortest lock-in time of only 3 years. Furthermore, it is advised to think about liquidity before investing in any of the tax-saving investment strategies.
2. Expenses: ELSS provides the advantage of low costs and professional management due to SEBI’s capped expense ratio limits, whereas ULIPs do not have such a limit. When compared to mutual funds, ULIP scheme fees can be a bit higher. The investor must pay a one-time fee for PPF additionally to their investment.
3. Risk Coverage: ULIPs include a built-in insurance plan that pays the sum assured, which goes to the family if the policyholder passes away within the policy’s term, this is a helpful ULIP benefit. Mutual funds and PPFs, do not possess any risk that is covered by insurance.
4. Return On Investment: Since ULIP and ELSS are both market-linked investment options, the returns on PPF are not certain and are not fixed or tax-free. PPF interest rates are currently 7.1% per annum. For timeframes of three and five years, the average returns on ELSS are 17.19% and 11.10%, respectively.
5. Taxation: ELSS gains after the lock-in period are taxed at 10% with Rs. 1 lakh exemption, while PPF proceeds are tax-free if held until maturity. However, with ULIPs, the maturity amount is only tax-free if the total annual premium paid is under 2.5 lakhs. If the annual premium is greater than 2.5 lakhs, any income earned on it is subject to tax on capital gains at a rate of 10% if held for more than a year and 15% if held for less than a year.
Your level of risk tolerance, financial objectives and time horizon should all be taken into account when deciding which investment plan is ideal for you. To reduce risk, it is generally a good idea to diversify your holdings across several asset classes. A financial expert or other resource person should be consulted prior to making any investing decisions.
Understanding the asset classes into which ELSS, PPF, and ULIP fit is essential since they differ significantly from one another. ELSS belongs to the equity category, PPF to the debt category, and ULIP is a hybrid insurance product that provides both protection and an investment opportunity as ULIP benefits. Both may be utilised to obtain deductions under section 80C of the Income Tax Act of up to Rs. 1,50,000.
Let’s compare them based on their attributes:
1. Lock-In Period: PPF 15 Years (partial withdrawal is allowed after the completion of 7 years); ULIP 5 Years; ELSS 3 Years.
2. Taxation: PPF charges a tax; ULIP plan returns are exempt under Section 10(10D); ELSS returns are taxed at 10% if they exceed Rs. 1,000,000 in any financial year.
3. Risk: ELSS is equity-linked; PPF is government-backed, and the safest investment; ULIP depends on the ratio of equity to debt to hybrid.
4. Returns: ELSS is dynamic (10–14% over the long run), PPF is variable (7.1% right now), and ULIP is dynamic (depending on the ratio of equity to debt to hybrid). However, prior success might or might not be repeated in the future.
Investment in either of the possibilities is based on the current goal and long-term objectives. ELSS is an option when we want liquidity and greater returns (subject to market returns), but PPF and ULIP plans can be options when we just want to save money on taxes. Also, do remember that the new Tax Regime does not give the benefit on these instruments, but the old regime does.