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The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) (Hindi: ) is the largest state-owned life insurance company in India, and also the country's largest investor. It is fully owned by the Government of India. It also funds close to 24.6% of the Indian Government's expenses. It has assets estimated of 9.31 trillion (US$206.68 billion).[1] It was founded in 1956 with the merger of more than 200 insurance companies and provident societies.[2] Headquartered in Mumbai, financial and commercial capital of India,[3] the Life Insurance Corporation of India currently has 8 zonal Offices and 101 divisional offices located in different parts of India, at least 2048 branches located in different cities and towns of India along with satellite Offices attached to about some 50 Branches, and has a network of around 1.2 million agents for soliciting life insurance business from the public.
History
The Oriental Life Insurance Company, the first corporate entity in India offering life insurance coverage, was established in Calcutta in 1818 by Bipin Bernard Dasgupta and others. Europeans in India were its primary target market, and it charged Indians heftier premiums. The Bombay Mutual Life Assurance Society, formed in 1870, was the first native insurance provider. Other insurance companies established in the pre-independence era included
Bharat Insurance Company (1896) United India (1906) National Indian (1906) National Insurance (1906) Co-operative Assurance (1906) Hindustan Co-operatives (1907) Indian Mercantile General Assurance Swadeshi Life (later Bombay Life)
The first 150 years were marked mostly by turbulent economic conditions. It witnessed, India's First War of Independence, adverse effects of the World War I and World War II on the economy of India, and in between them the period of world wide economic crises triggered by the Great depression. The first half of the 20th century also saw a heightened struggle for India's independence. The aggregate effect of these events led to a high rate of bankruptcies and liquidation of life insurance companies in India. This had adversely affected the faith of the general public in the utility of obtaining life cover. The Life Insurance Act and the Provident Fund Act were passed in 1912, providing the first regulatory mechanisms in the Life Insurance industry. The Indian Insurance Companies Act of 1928 authorized the government to obtain statistical information from companies operating in both life and non-life insurance areas. The subsequent Insurance Act of 1938 brought stricter state control over an industry that had seen several financially unsound ventures fail. A bill was also introduced in the Legislative Assembly in 1944 to nationalize the insurance industry.
Nationalization
In 1955, parliamentarian Amol Barate raised the matter of insurance fraud by owners of private insurance companies. In the ensuing investigations, one of India's wealthiest businessmen, Ram Kishan Dalmia, owner of the Times of India newspaper, was sent to prison for two years. Eventually, the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance of India Act on 1956-06-19, and the Life Insurance Corporation of India was created on 1956-0901, by consolidating the life insurance business of 245 private life insurers and other entities offering life insurance services. Nationalization of the life insurance business in India was a result of the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956, which had created a policy framework for extending state control over at least seventeen sectors of the economy, including the life insurance.
Current status
Over its existence of around 50 years, Life Insurance Corporation of India, which commanded a monopoly of soliciting and selling life insurance in India, created huge surpluses, and contributed around 7 % of India's GDP in 2006. The Corporation, which started its business with around 300 offices, 5.6 million policies and a corpus of INR 459 million (US$ 92 million as per the 1959 exchange rate of roughly Rs. 5 for a US $ [4], has grown to 25000 servicing around 180 million policies and a corpus of over 8 trillion (US$177.6 billion).
The recent[when?] Economic Times Brand Equity Survey rated LIC as the No. 1 Service Brand of the Country. The slogan of LIC is "Zindagi ke saath bhi,Zindagi ke baad bhi"in hindi. In english it means "with life also,after life also. According to The Brand Trust Report[5] 2011, LIC is the 8th most trusted brand of India.
Group
A) Nature of the Scheme: Group (term) Insurance Scheme is meant to provide life insurance protection to groups of people. Administration of the scheme is on group basis and cost is low. Under Group (Term) Insurance Scheme, life insurance cover is allowed to all the members of a group subject to some simple insurability conditions without insisting upon any medical evidence. Scheme offers covers only on death and there is no maturity value at the end of the term. B) Premium Chargeable: Group (Term) Insurance Scheme is at present offered under One Year Renewable Group term assurance plan (OYRGTA). Every year on Annual Renewal date LIC charges the premium depending upon the changes in size and age distribution of the age group. C) Different Schemes: Group (term) Insurance Scheme has a number of varieties . The Scheme may provide for a uniform cover to all members of the group or graded covers for different categories of members, cover for all amounts of outstanding housing loans or vehicle advances, or some other benefits (e.g., life cover to supplement pension or PF benefits in case of death). The schemes may have add-ons like Double Accident Benefit,Critical Illness Benefit, Disability benefit etc. D) General Featues of various Group Insurance Schemes: 1. PREMIUM: The premium under such scheme may be wholly paid by the employer or the Nodal Agency. However, the scheme may be contributory i.e. the members may also contribute.
3. ELIGIBILITY:
For Group Insurance Scheme in lieu of EDLIS the insurability condition is that should be a member of the Provident Fund Scheme of the employer. For other GI Schemes of employer-employee groups the insurability condition is that the member should not be absent on ground of sickness on the entry date. For all non-employeremployee Group Schemes the basic insurability condition is that the member should be in good health on the date of entry.
such balance exceeds Rs.35,000, insurance cover would be equal to Rs.35,000 plus 25% of the amount in excess of Rs.35,000 subject to a maximum of Rs.60,000. Thus if the lenth of service is not adequate and/ or the salary is low the average balance may be substantially less and such the benefit to the employee's family is either inadequate or non-existent. The contribution @ 0.50% of each employee's salary is payable by the Employer to the Provident Fund Authorities. THE BETTER ALTERNATIVE: However, under Sec. 17(2A) of the act, the employer may be exempted from contributing to this scheme, if he/she has provided for better insurance benefits through alternative scheme. LIC's Group Insurance Scheme in lieu of EDLI has been accepted as one such better alternative. ADVANTAGES TO THE EMPLOYER : 1. 2. 3. The premium payable by the employer is usually less than the total contribution being paid by the employer to R.P.F.C; particularly when the salary level is high and average age of the group is low. Settlement of claim is quicker, LIC requires only the death certificate and the Claim Form from the employer. Premium paid by the employer is treated as normal business expenses for Income-Tax purpose.
ADVANTAGES TO THE EMPLOYEE: Each employee is covered for a sum assured ranging between 5,000 to 2,00,000 depending upon the current salary and service put in from day one irrespective of the actual balance in the Provident Fund. Alternatively every employee/ worker can be covered for a uniform sum assured which will be decided depending upon the group size. ACCIDENT BENEFIT: Double accident benefit can be allowed to the extent of the Sum Assured for an extra Premium. STEPS TO INTRODUCE THE SCHEME: 1. 2. Put up notice for the knowledge of the employees that you are going in for LIC's Scheme in lieu of EDLI. Apply to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner under Sec.17 (2A) of the E.P.F. and M.P. Act 1952 to exempt you from EDLI Scheme. The application should be accompanied by the prescribed requirements including the Rules of the Proposed Group Insurance scheme. Central PF Commissioner, has authorized the R.P.F.C. to grant exemption from the 1st of the month in which the application for relaxation is submitted. LIC also offers necessary guidance to the employers for seeking relaxation.
Fund management under interest accumulation system Claim settlement on exit as per company rules/gratuity act Built in Insurance arrangement for the employees for future service MIS related to Income Tax and trusts accounts and Actuarial valuation
Fund management: Critical issues Safety: Liability on account of gratuity experiences sharp increase every year due to its nature of its computation. Apart from increase in service, increase in salary also contributes to increase in liability substantially as the benefits are payable on last drawn salary. Hence funds have to be invested in a conservative way with a consistent growth and insulated from market risks
The unique advantage with LIC is the contributions made by the company and interests credited by LIC are irreversible. This ensures highest level of safety for the total corpus and consistency in future contributions. As the gratuity payments are statutory and LIC gratuity scheme being the only investment tool which enjoys sovereign guarantee, gives a greater comfort to employer. Liquidity: Funds available with LIC is a single account for investment and claim settlement. Hence 100% liquidity is ensured for the purpose of claim settlement Yield: LIC has been offering very competitive and consistent interest rates over the years. For the year 2009-10, LIC has offered 9.00% - 9.65% depending on fund size. The interest declared is net of administrative expenses incurred, hence no separate charges are charged after crediting the interest. Interest rate offered by LIC is on daily balancing method. Hence, there is no idle time for earning interest, hence effective rate of interest is much higher. Another significant aspect is interest gets compounded annually, hence no reinvestment issues and no time lags. No responsibility on trustees on Investment decisions: Trustees are free from all investment risks and hassles in cash accumulation system. Advantage of real outsourcing can be derived by associating with LIC No hidden charges: The scheme is focused on a long term association in compliance with investment regulations and statutory payment obligations and no charges are levied on the transactions for which the fund is meant for. Funding can also be in a staggered pattern during the year, but no charges at entry level for any number of payments. No charges on withdrawals for resignation or retirement or death. Total corpus comprising of money contributed by the company and interest credited by LIC is available for claim settlement up to 100% subject to availability of funds. Actuarial recommendations: On annual basis, LIC provides this information to the trustees and recommends the level of contributions. Claim settlement: On the exit of an employee due to retirement / death/ resignation, trust may prefer a claim from LIC by sending a claim form. Claim amount will be made available to trustees. Trustees can have the following options
Preferring a claim from LIC and paying to employee Paying the money to employees and seek reimbursement Paying claims to employees at their end and seeking annual reimbursement
MIS: LIC provides statement of receipts and payments and actuarial valuation certificate and certificate of balance for the trust account. Besides the above said advantages, the scheme also provides for employee welfare measures with built in insurance cover.
Another salient feature of the Gratuity Scheme with LIC is that it provides for insurance coverage to the employees to the tune of future service gratuity subject to certain limits. The insurance cover can be flexible depending on the requirements of the Trust. The Group Insurance premium will be commensurate to the cover provided.
The insurance premium paid towards the above said benefits is treated as deductible business expenses to the company. The premium is not treated as perks in the hands of the employees
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Create a privately managed trust fund and as and when a member retires, purchase annuity from LIC to provide pension for such retiring member. Entrust the Management of the Pension Fund to an Insurer by purchasing its Group Superannuation Scheme.
ADVANTAGES OF THE LIC MANAGED PENSION FUND: The LIC managed Pension fund has the following added and distinct advantages:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. An attractive and competitive yield on the fund will be credited to Fund A/c. The problem of liquidity gets automatically eliminated as soon as the fund is managed by LIC. We conduct free actuarial valuations of the funds administered by us from time to time. The Administration of the fund is carried out by us in a scientific manner and claims are promptly settled. Group Insurance in conjunction with the Group Superannuation Scheme can be taken by an Organization to provide for an attractive lump sum payment on the unfortunate death of a member while in service, at very nominal cost.
Superannuation Scheme Provided by LIC: The employer contributes a certain fixed percentage of salary of each member. Such Contributions are accumulated by LIC and the accumulated amount is utilized to provide various benefits as mentioned below. BENEFITS: 1) ON RETIREMENT: On Retirement of a member, the corpus (contributions plus interest) is utilized to provide the pension as per his choice. 2) ON DEATH: The Pension is payable on the life of the beneficiary. Corpus is utilized towards the payment of pension of the type the beneficiary may opt and the benefit so received is tax free. A lump sum payable by way of death besides the pension, if the employer has taken Group Insurance Scheme in conjunction with the Group Superannuation Scheme. 3) ON WITHDRAWAL:
He can get the equitable interest transferred to the Superannuation Scheme of the new employer or opt for immediate or deferred pension.
PENSION OPTIONS PROVIDED BY LIC: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Life Pension ceasing at death. Life Pension with Return of Capital and Group Pension Terminal Bonus on death. Life Pension guaranteed for 5,10,15 or 20 years and life thereafter. Joint Life Pension payable on the last survivor of the employee and spouse. Joint Life Pension payable to the last survivor of the employee and spouse with return of capital on the death of the last survivor. If desired , 1/3rd of the pension can be commuted at vesting.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITION: It is not obligatory or statutory on the part of the employer to provide for pension to all employees. It is entirely upto him to decide to which class/ classes of employees he desires to extends the scheme. The eligibility conditions may be defined on the basis of designation or salary. (However, after the categories are specified, employer cannot discriminate between the employees and thus extends the scheme uniformly). CONTRIBUTION: The maximum annual contribution that an employer can make to the Pension Fund and Provident Fund is restricted by the Income Tax Provisions to 27% of the annual salary (basic plus D.A.) The annual contributions are treated as deductible business expenses.
WHO PAYS CONTRIBUTION? Mostly the employer contributes, but is so desired, both the employer and the employees may contribute, in which case the scheme is called a Contributory Pension Fund Scheme. TAX BENEFITS: The provisions relating to the approved Superannuation Scheme are set out in Part 'B' of the Fourth Scheme of the IncomeTax Act, 1961 and Part XIII of the Income Tax Rules , 1962. The income tax concession will be available only if the scheme is approved by the CIT. 1. 2. 3. The annual contribution is treated as a deductible business expense in term of Section 36(1) (iv) of the I.T. Act. In terms of a Notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes .80% of the contribution (s) towards the past service liability are treated as deductible business expenses spread over in the subsequent years of payment. The employee's contribution , in the case of the Contributions scheme qualifies for exemption under Section 80C of the Income-Tax Act.
GROUP INSURANCE SCHEME IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUPERANNUATION SCHEME: The members of the Group Superannuation scheme can be covered under Group Insurance in conjunction with superannuation scheme so as to provide death risk cover while in service subject to certain conditions.
Protection at low cost without individual evidence of health. Attractive returns on savings to meet post retirement needs. Simple procedures for granting life cover to large groups under one umbrella.
II) INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME: a) The Scheme can be introduced by employers provided certain percentage of employees is willing to join the Scheme. b) For the new entrants to the Company, the membership of the Scheme is compulsory.
III) PREMIA: It is decided on the basis of Group size and the occupation of the group.Premium has two components i.e. Risk Premium and Savings Premium.Risk Premium is utilized to offer life cover and the Savings Premium is accumulated in members account. IV) ACCIDENT BENEFIT: Double accident benefit can be allowed to the extent of the Sum Assured for an extra Premium. V) INTEREST ON SAVINGS: The present rate of interest allowed on saving portion of premium is 8% compounding yearly.
VI) ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN THE SCHEME: Any employee irrespective of his present state of health is eligible to join the scheme subject to certain conditions. The only insurability condition is that the employee should not be absent on medical ground on the date of commencement of the scheme. All employees who have not crossed the retirement age are eligible to join the scheme. All future employees have to join the scheme compulsorily. VII) TAX BENEFITS: Employees' total contribution, savings as well as risk premium is entitled for income-tax rebate under Sec. 80C of the Income Tax Act. The entire claim amount including interest earned payable on retirement or leaving service or on death is free from income-tax. The premium paid by the employer towards insurance cover is treated as business expenses.
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Benefits: 1. On the exit of an employee or encashment of leaves during the service the Leave Encashment amount will be paid from the Fund of the scheme maintained with LIC. On the death of an employee, in addition to his / her leave encashment benefit, his/her family will be entitled to the amount of Insurance Cover, which will be tax-free. The Life Insurance Corporation of India will do the Actuarial Valuation and will provide necessary certificate as per AS-15. The amount of Term Insurance Premium paid for Life Insurance Cover will be treated as business expenses.
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Group Mortgage Redemption Assurance SchemeGroup Mortgage Redemption Assurance Scheme, is a Group
Insurance Scheme for the borrowers of Housing/Vehicle Loans from Financial Institutions where Loan is recovered under EMI. Under the Scheme, the premium is payable in a single installment covering a decreasing life cover. Insurance cover every year will be almost equal to the loan outstanding at the anniversary date of each borrower. Under the scheme, the premium depends upon: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Age (nearer Birthday) at entry of the member into the Scheme. Outstanding loan amount at entry date. Term of loan. Schedule of repayment. Rate of interest with which the loan was availed.
Any borrower may become member of this scheme . The minimum term of assurance is 3 years. Existing Borrowers can join the scheme with certain conditions within 6 months of the commencement of scheme. In case of death of the member during the coverage period ,life cover on the anniversary date preceding the date of death is payable .The claim proceeds are used to square off the outstanding loan.
Cancer 2. Coronary Artery (Bye pass) Surgery 3. Heart attack (Myocardial infarction) 4. Stroke
2. Kidney failure (End stage renal disease) 6. Aorta (Surgery of Aorta) 7. Heart valve replacement 3. Major Burns.
BENEFITS : 1. 2. The Critical Illness Accelerated benefit is payable upon the first incidence of any of the 8 specified diseases and evidenced as per the diagnostic criteria specified. The rider shall terminate on payment of the Critical Illness benefit. The Group Critical illness (Accelerated) Benefit pays a lump sum amount as a percentage of Sum assured out of the Sum assured under the life cover in the event of occurrence of 8 diseases covered under the rider. No Critical Illness Benefit shall become payable to a member if the disease occurs within 90 days of the start of the coverage for that member of the scheme. This period of 90 days shall be called Waiting period. In case of death nothing is payable under this rider. However, under the base plan (i.e., the scheme on which the rider is opted for) benefits as under shall become payable :
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A benefit equal to base sum assured if no critical illness benefit is payable or has been paid earlier. If critical illness benefit is payable or already paid, the benefit is reduced by the amount of critical illness benefit
payable or already paid. In other words, the difference between the base sum assured and the critical illness benefit already paid is payable on death. EXCLUSIONS: 1. 2. Diseases in the presence of an HIV infection. Diseases that have previously occurred in the life of the member of the scheme i.e. the benefit is payable only if the disease is a first incidence , regardless of whether the earlier incidence occurred before the individual was covered or whether the insured was covered by us or another insurer. Any disease occurring within 90 days of the start of the coverage for each member of the scheme. (I.e. during the waiting period). No payment will be made for any claim directly or indirectly caused by, based on, arising out of, or howsoever, to any Critical Illness for which care, treatment, or advice was recommended by or received from a Physician, or which first manifested itself or was contracted before the start of the policy period, or for which claim has or could have been made under any earlier policy. Any congenital condition. Alcohol or solvent abuse or taking of drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances unless taken in accordance with the lawful directions and prescription of a registered medical practitioner. Failure to seek or follow medical advice. War, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities(whether war be declared or not),armed or unarmed truce, civil war ,mutiny, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power, riot or civil commotion, strikes. Taking part in any naval, military or air force operation during peace time. Participation by the member of the scheme in any flying activity, except as a bona fide, fare-paying passenger of a recognised airline on regular routes and on a scheduled timetable. Participation by the member of the scheme in a criminal or unlawful act. Engaging or taking part in professional sport(s) or any hazardous pursuits, including but not limited to , diving or riding or any kind of race, underwater activities involving the use of breathing apparatus or not, hunting, mountaineering, parachuting , bungee-jumping. Nuclear contamination, the radio active, explosive or hazardous nature of nuclear fuel materials or property contaminated by nuclear fuel materials or accident arising from such nature. Intentional self inflicted injury, suicide or attempted suicide, while sane or insane. Existing diseases are not covered.
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Additional exclusions may be disease-specific and would be incorporated into the definition of the disease. TAX BENEFITS : 1. 2. All benefits under the policy are also subject to the Tax Laws and other financial enactments as they exist from tome to time. The premium payable are exempted under section 80D of Income Tax act.
Products
1. Insurance Plan :
As individuals it is inherent to differ. Each individual's insurance needs and requirements are different from that of the others. LIC's Insurance Plans are policies that talk to you individually and give you the most suitable options that can fit your requirement.
2. Pension Plans:Pension Plans are Individual Plans that gaze into your future and
foresee financial stability during your old age. These policies are most suited for senior citizens and those planning a secure future, so that you never give up on the best things in life.
3. Unit plans :Unit plans are investment plans for those who realise the worth of hardearned money. These plans help you see your savings yield rich benefits and help you save tax even if you don't have consistent income.
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Special Plan : LICs Special Plans are not plans but opportunities that knock on your door once in a lifetime. These plans are a perfect blend of insurance, investment and a lifetime of happiness!