Understanding the impact of inflation on savings is crucial for almost everyone. Whether you are earning or not, knowing the power of your money and how it is expected to change over time can be helpful. When you put your hard-earned money in a bank or in your locker, inflation slowly erodes its purchasing power. Let’s look at how inflations affect your savings, and what you can do through life insurance products in India.
How does Inflation Erode Purchasing Power?
Inflation causes the cost of daily essentials like food, fuel, and electricity, to go up. If your savings remain in a simple bank account earning low interest, the effect of inflation on savings becomes visible. For example, if inflation is 6% per year and your bank interest is only 4%, your real returns turn negative by 2%. Hence, the value of your money, though numerically the same, buys less over time.
Does Inflation Affect Savings?
Yes, inflation does affect savings. However, it is important to understand how your savings are influenced by it, in the long term as well as in the near future. This may enable you to make better decisions about your money.
When prices rise, as they are bound to over time, the amount of money you have saved today might not be sufficient for the purchase you seek to make tomorrow. Even though a bank deposit or a locker of cash shows no visible loss, the real worth of your wealth decreases. In India, inflation can increase between 4% and 7% annually. If your savings account interest rate does not match inflation, your purchasing power reduces. This is where understanding how does inflation affect saving and investing becomes important.
Savings Plans and Inflation
Life insurance companies offer various savings plans to protect you against rising prices. Such plans often combine a life cover with guaranteed returns. For example, an endowment policy offers maturity returns on your premiums. A life cover, that comes built in with these plans, helps you provide future security for your family. The returns help you stay ahead of inflation.
When evaluating these products, look for features like regular bonuses, loyalty additions, and guaranteed sum assured, which all help reduce the effect of inflation on savings. You may use a savings plan calculator to get estimates of the contributions you may need to make regularly to ensure that the returns you seek are available to you.
Features of Savings Plans
Here is a look at some of the key features of savings plans to help you evaluate them better.
Guaranteed Returns:
Some plans offer minimum guaranteed returns, which ensure your money grows at least by a fixed rate.
Bonus Additions:
Participating plans pay annual or terminal bonuses, offering additional growth.
Option to Switch:
Certain plans let you switch from debt to equity as market conditions change, helping you beat inflation over long periods.
Tax Benefits:
Premiums paid under Section 80C, and maturity proceeds under Section 10(10D) enjoy tax relief, allowing you to save on taxes while growing your corpus.**
Life Cover Component:
In case of an unfortunate event covered by the policy, your family gets the sum assured, securing their future.
Savings vs. Investing
While savings plans are a simple and relatively effective tool to stay steady against inflation, one also ought to consider investments. The savings vs. investing debate does not have to result in an either-or choice. While savings are considered safer, investments offer scope for better yields on your capital.
For the uninitiated, savings typically refers to putting money aside in a bank or a fixed-income instrument to preserve capital. But investing means taking calculated risks in equity, mutual funds, or ULIPs to earn higher returns. Though riskier, investing can generate returns that outpace inflation. For someone new to financial planning, starting with a balanced life insurance savings plan that offers both safety and growth can be ideal.
In India’s dynamic economy, the impact of inflation on savings cannot be overlooked. Simply parking money in a savings account might not be enough to meet future goals. By learning how inflation affects saving and investing, you can choose suitable life insurance savings plans with robust features. Comparing savings vs. investing, you’ll find that a combination of both helps protect and grow your wealth. Remember, smart planning today can safeguard your tomorrow against the silent enemy called inflation.
** Tax exemptions are as per applicable tax laws from time to time.
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