To make sure you have the best savings plan experience, make sure to avoid these seven critical mistakes:
1. Not Choosing Plans as per Financial Goals
Failing to match your savings plan with specific objectives is a common error. Your short-term goals will need liquid options such as FDs or liquid funds, while long-term goals will likely benefit from options such as PPF or NPS.
Fix: Consider the goals and the time horizon for your investments before locking in funds. Use a compound interest calculator to have a clear idea of where your investment will lead to.
2. Ignoring the Impact of Fees and Charges
Many investors overlook how charges reduce their net returns. ULIPs may come with administration fees and other charges, while endowment plans may have surrender penalties. Even the best savings scheme that comes with a small 1-2% annual fee can lead to reduced net returns over decades.
Fix: Always compare net returns only after accounting for all costs.
3. Neglecting Liquidity
Many reliable savings plans come with lock-in periods that can make withdrawals difficult. This can lead to issues during emergencies when you need liquid funds.
Fix: Maintain a balance - keep 20-30% in liquid options (FDs, savings accounts) for unexpected needs while saving the rest for growth.
4. Underestimating Inflation
Even a guaranteed savings plan that provides 6% return without fail each year may not be ideal if inflation is 7%.
Fix: Include some equity exposure (through NPS or ULIPs) even in conservative portfolios. This can help you maintain purchasing power over decades. The ideal mix can depend on your age and risk tolerance.
5. Failing to Review at Right Intervals
With changes in your life stages, it is important to revisit your savings plan. As you go through marriage, children, career shifts or retirement, you should review your portfolio and make the required changes.
Fix: Shift your funds from equity to debt or vice versa. You can also opt for savings plans that provide higher liquidity to meet your changing needs. Ideally, one should review their portfolio annually and rebalance every 3-5 years to stay on track.
6. Overcommitting in Financial Matters
A common mistake is opting for savings plans with premiums that exceed 10-15% of your income. This will leave little room for your everyday expenses. Stretching your budget to pay high premiums can backfire and may even lead to lapsed policies or debt accumulation.
Fix: Start with an affordable savings policy that will not strain your monthly cash flow. Then, gradually increase contributions as your income grows. Do not sacrifice essential expenses of the present for future savings.
7. Not Comparing Interest Rates & Lock-in Periods
Failing to compare returns across savings plans can cost you over time. While PPF offers 7.1% tax-free returns with a 15-year lock-in, corporate FDs may give 7.5%, but they are more liquid. Short-term options such as debt funds provide better liquidity, but they may not provide the high returns associated with equity funds.
Fix: Weigh the returns and lock-ins against your goals. Use a compound interest calculator to get estimated returns and check if they beat the projected inflation rates before finalising your options.
** Tax exemptions are as per applicable tax laws from time to time.
# Bonus rate may vary from time to time based on Company’s Investment Performance.