Difference Between Term Insurance & Endowment Plan

What is Term Insurance?

What is Endowment Plan?

Differences Between Term Plan vs Endowment Plan

Term insurance and endowment policies are both types of life insurance, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Here's a comparison to help you understand the key differences:

Parameter Term Insurance Endowment Policy
Coverage As per a term life insurance plan, the insurance company pays a particular sum to the policyholder if they die during the term of the plan. An endowment plan provides both life coverage and savings options. Here the nominee will get the sum assured if the policyholder dies.
Price Term insurance only offers risk coverage, and no returns are involved in it. Thus it is comparatively cheaper than an endowment plan. An endowment plan offers maturity benefits and loyalty additions. Together, these features make this policy more expensive than term insurance.
Sum Assured Since term insurance only offers risk coverage, its sum assured is relatively higher than an endowment plan. In case of an endowment plan, you will get a comparatively lesser sum assured since this plan fulfils the necessity for saving and death coverage.
Purpose of Cover The objective of term life insurance is to provide financial support to the nominees in case of the policyholder’s unfortunate demise. The purpose of an endowment plan is to assist you to meet your future goals.
Pay-out Options When it comes to term insurance, there are various pay-out options. For example, the person nominated can get the entire sum assured at a time. In the case of an endowment plan, the pay-out is offered as a lump sum on the demise of the policyholder in continuation of the term.
Maturity Benefit Not available with term plans except for the Term Plan with Return of Premium. Available at the end of the policy term.
Loan Against Policy You cannot apply for a loan against this policy. You can get a loan against this policy when the policy has achieved the surrender value.
Liquidity Term insurance does not offer any liquidity except for some specific plans that offer return of premium. Your nominee can only receive sum assured after your death. In terms of liquidity, you can either take a loan against your policy or, in extreme financial emergencies, can also surrender the policy to withdraw your investment as per the terms and conditions of your policy.
Tenure Flexible policy terms, which are usually 5 to 40 years Generally long-term, ranging from 10 to 30 years
Tax Benefits Premiums and payouts are tax-exempt under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) Premiums and payouts are tax-exempt under Section 80C and Section 10(10D)
Affordability Highly affordable due to low premiums Expensive compared to term insurance
Flexibility Term Plans are highly flexible. Based on your specific needs, you can choose the tenure, sum assured, and additional riders. Endowment Policies are less flexible as they are structured for long-term goals, and early withdrawal may result in penalties or reduced returns.

Pros and Cons of Term Insurance

Pros Cons
Affordable premiums - Easy to get high coverage at a low cost. No maturity benefit - If the policyholder survives, they do not receive any payout.
Financial security - Provides a large sum assured to the nominee in case of the policyholder’s death. No savings or investment - Only provides risk coverage without wealth accumulation.
Flexible tenure - Choose from short-term or long-term coverage.
Additional Riders - Can enhance coverage with critical illness, accidental death, or disability riders.

Pros and Cons of Endowment Plans

Pros Cons
Dual benefit - Offers both insurance coverage and savings. Higher premiums - More expensive compared to term insurance.
Maturity payout - If you survive the term, you receive the sum assured plus bonuses. Lower life coverage - The sum assured is usually lower than what you get in a term plan for the same premium.
Disciplined savings - Encourages regular savings over time. Returns are not high - The savings component offers moderate returns compared to other investment options.
Guaranteed returns - Provides a lump sum payout at maturity.

Which One Should You Choose - Term Insurance or Endowment Plan?

Term Insurance vs. Endowment Plan: Which is Better?

When it comes to life insurance, different stages of life call for different solutions. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide between term insurance and endowment plans based on your life stage.

young professional

For Young Professionals (Age 25-35)

Most young professionals are starting their careers at this age and may not have significant financial commitments yet. Term insurance is a smart choice because it offers high coverage at an affordable price.

married individuals

For Married Individuals with Dependents (Age 30-45)

Your financial situation becomes more complicated if you are married and have children or other dependents. You want to ensure your family's financial security while planning for the future. A combination of term insurance and an endowment plan works well here. The term plan provides critical life coverage to support your family if something happens to you, while the endowment plan acts as a savings tool.

individuals planning retirement

For Individuals Planning for Retirement (Age 45-60)

As you approach retirement, your focus may shift towards savings and securing your financial future. An endowment plan is beneficial at this stage since it protects your life and helps you accumulate savings over time. This plan is designed to provide a lump sum at the end of the policy term, which can be a crucial source of income during retirement. It allows you to build a retirement fund while ensuring a safety net for your family.

FAQs about Term Plan vs Endowment Policy

What is the maximum and minimum age to apply for endowment plans?

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The maximum age to apply for an endowment policy insurance coverage is between 55 and 60 years, while the minimum age to opt for this policy is 7 years.

What is the age limit for obtaining a term insurance policy?

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To qualify for a term life insurance policy, the applicant must be between 18 and 65 years old.

Can I have both Term Insurance and an Endowment Policy?

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Yes, you can have both. A term plan ensures adequate coverage, while an endowment policy helps in savings.

Which policy is better for tax savings endowment or term plan?

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Both plans offer similar tax benefits under Sections 80C and 10(10D).

Can I switch from term insurance to an endowment policy?

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No, these policies are fundamentally different. However, you can purchase an endowment policy separately.

Is there a return premium option for term insurance?

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Yes, some insurers offer Return of Premium (ROP) term plans, which return the premiums paid if you survive the policy term. However, the premiums for ROP plans are higher.

Are Endowment Policies a good investment?

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Endowment policies are low-risk investments with guaranteed returns. However, they may not yield as high returns as mutual funds or other market-linked investments.

Which policy is more affordable, term insurance or an endowment policy?

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Term insurance is significantly more affordable as it focuses only on life coverage. Endowment policies are costlier because they include a savings/investment component.

Can I add riders to both types of policies?

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Yes, riders like accidental death benefits, critical illness cover and waiver of premium can be added to both term insurance and endowment policies for enhanced coverage.

Can I surrender the endowment or term insurance policy?

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Yes, you can surrender an endowment policy and receive the surrender value, which is usually less than the total premiums paid. For term insurance, surrendering is less common as these policies typically do not have a cash value. If you stop paying premiums, the coverage lapses.

Which policy is better for a young professional?

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Term insurance is better for young professionals to secure life coverage at an affordable cost. They can invest the savings from low premiums into higher-yielding financial coverage.

What are the advantages of a term insurance policy?

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The advantages of a term insurance policy are as follows:

  • Substantial coverage at affordable premiums.
  • Multiple payout options for death benefits.
  • Income tax benefits on premiums and payouts.
  • Availability of riders.

What Are the disadvantages of a term insurance policy?

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Below are some disadvantages of term insurance policy:

  • You cannot withdraw money in case of emergencies.
  • It will not help you in wealth creation.
  • You cannot use the money to meet specific financial goals. 

What are the advantages of an endowment insurance policy?

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The advantages of an endowment policy are as follows:

  • It is a low-risk investment and provides assured returns.
  • You can avail tax benefits, maturity benefits and death benefits.
  • Helps in building a savings fund to meet future goals. 

What are the disadvantages of an endowment insurance policy?

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Below are some disadvantages of term insurance policy:

  • Expensive policy premiums. 
  • Lower returns as compared to other pure investment options.
  • Lower cash surrender values in case of surrender. 
  • It can be complex at times.

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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