Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) combine insurance coverage with investment opportunities, making them a popular choice for long-term financial planning. However, understanding the associated charges is crucial for maximizing returns. One significant component of these charges is the Fund Management Charge (FMC). This article delves into the complexities of FMC in ULIPs, explaining its purpose, impact, and how to evaluate it.
Read moreTop performing plans˜ with High Returns**
Invest ₹10K/month & Get ₹1 Crore# Tax-Free*
Disclaimer :
˜Top 5 plans based on annualized premium, for bookings made in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in
The Fund Management Charge (FMC) is the fee levied by the insurance company for managing the investment portion of your ULIP. When you invest in a ULIP, a portion of your premium is allocated to various funds based on your chosen investment strategy (equity, debt, or a combination). The fund manager, employed by the insurance company, is responsible for making investment decisions to grow your fund value. Their expertise in market analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management comes at a cost, which is the FMC.
FMC is typically expressed as a percentage of the fund's Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV represents the market value of the fund's underlying assets per unit. For example, if the FMC is 1.35% per annum and the fund's NAV is â‚ą100, the daily charge would be calculated as (1.35% / 365) * â‚ą100. This daily charge is then deducted from the NAV, reflecting the cost of fund management.
Several factors influence the FMC in ULIPs:
Equity funds, which require more active management and research, generally have higher FMCs compared to debt or balanced funds.
Larger funds may benefit from economies of scale, potentially leading to lower FMCs. However, this is not always the case.
Actively managed funds, where the fund manager frequently buys and sells securities, tend to have higher FMCs than passively managed funds that track a specific index.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) sets guidelines for permissible charges, including FMC, to protect policyholders.
Different insurance companies have varying fee structures. Their brand reputation, investment expertise, and operating costs can influence the FMC.
Fund Management Charge directly impacts the net returns you earn from your ULIP plan investment. A higher FMC reduces the amount available for investment growth, ultimately affecting the maturity value. Even a small difference in Fund Management Charge can accumulate over the long term, significantly impacting your returns.
Consider two ULIP plan funds with similar investment strategies but different FMCs.
Fund A: FMC of 1.00% per annum
Fund B: FMC of 1.50% per annum
Over a 15-year investment period, the 0.50% difference in FMC can result in a substantial difference in the final maturity value. This difference is compounded over time, demonstrating the importance of considering FMC when choosing a ULIP.
When evaluating ULIPs, consider the following points regarding FMC:
Compare FMCs: Compare the FMCs of different ULIP funds with similar investment strategies.
Consider Historical Performance: While past performance is not indicative of future results, reviewing the fund's historical performance can provide insights into the fund manager's ability to generate returns after deducting charges.
Read the Policy Documents: Carefully review the policy documents to understand the complete fee structure, including FMC and other charges.
Long Term View: ULIPs are long term investment vehicles. Therefore, consider the long term impact of Fund Management Charge on your returns.
Understand your risk profile: Higher risk funds usually have higher returns, but also higher fund management charges. Make sure the risk profile and the associated charges align with your personal financial goals.
Check for other charges: Fund Management Charges are only one type of charge in a ULIP. Look for other ULIP charges like premium allocation charges, mortality charges, and policy administration charges.
IRDAI mandates insurance companies to disclose all charges, including FMC, transparently. This ensures that policyholders are aware of the costs associated with their ULIP plan investment. Insurance companies are required to provide detailed information about charges in the policy documents and other communication materials.
Fund Management Charge is an important factor to consider when investing in ULIPs. By understanding the factors affecting FMC and evaluating it carefully, you can make informed decisions and maximize your returns from ULIP investments. Remember to consider the overall cost structure of the ULIP and align it with your long-term financial goals.
Impact on Returns: FMC directly affects the net returns you receive from your ULIP investments. Higher FMCs reduce the amount available for investment growth, ultimately impacting the maturity value.
Cost Transparency: Understanding FMC helps you evaluate the overall cost of your ULIP and compare different plans.
Fund Manager Compensation: FMC compensates the fund manager for their expertise in managing the investment portfolio.
Performance Evaluation: While FMC is a cost, it's essential to consider it along with the fund's performance. A slightly higher FMC may be justified if the fund consistently delivers superior returns.
Long term impact: Even small differences in FMC can have a large impact on the final maturity value of your ULIP due to the compounding effect of investment returns over the long term.
˜Top 5 plans based on annualized premium, for bookings made in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in
*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance
plan.
^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.
+Returns Since Inception of LIC Growth Fund
¶Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax (12.5%) is exempted on annual premiums up to 2.5 lacs.
++Source - Google Review Rating available on:- http://bit.ly/3J20bXZ
^^The information relating to mutual funds presented in this article is for educational purpose only and is not meant for sale. Investment is subject to market risks and the risk is borne by the investor. Please consult your financial advisor before planning your investments.
Grow your wealth & meet your Financial goals
Systematically Invest in high growth plans with returns upto 18%*17 Feb 2025
The Canara HSBC Promise4Growth Plan is a unit-linked individual14 Nov 2024
When investing in Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), it’s11 Nov 2024
A top-up premium in a ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan) allows19 Sep 2024
ULIPs offer a flexible feature known as partial withdrawal. ThisInsurance
Calculators
Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited CIN: U74999HR2014PTC053454 Registered Office - Plot No.119, Sector - 44, Gurugram - 122001, Haryana Tel no. : 0124-4218302 Email ID: enquiry@policybazaar.com
Policybazaar is registered as a Composite Broker | Registration No. 742, Registration Code No. IRDA/ DB 797/ 19, Valid till 09/06/2027, License category- Composite Broker
Visitors are hereby informed that their information submitted on the website may be shared with insurers.Product information is authentic and solely based on the information received from the insurers.
BEWARE OF SPURIOUS PHONE CALLS AND FICTITIOUS / FRAUDULENT OFFERS IRDAI or its officials do not involve in activities like selling insurance policies, announcing bonus or investment of premiums. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police complaint.
© Copyright 2008-2025 policybazaar.com. All Rights Reserved.