Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Review: Good or Bad?

You work hard to fulfill your family’s needs. As you live through various stages of life, your financial goals and needs for your family change consistently. With the uncertainty of life, achieving these goals becomes challenging. You need to safeguard your financial goals from unfortunate events.

In order to protect your family Kotak has launched a product. Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder, a Life Insurance Plan to safeguard your family’s future with an assurance to fulfil your goals.

What are the Advantages(pros) and Disadvantages(cons) of the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder?

In this article, let us do a detailed review of the product to find out whether the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder is a Good or Bad investment option for your future.

Table of Contents

1.)An Overview of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder
2.)Features of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis
3.)Eligibility Criteria of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis with Illustration
4.)Plan options under Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Review
5.)Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Review of Benefits in detail
6.)Additional Benefits under Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis
7.)The Grace period, Reduced Paid-up Policy and Revival of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis
8.)Free Look Period of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder
9.)Surrendering Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder
10.)Advantages of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis
11.)Disadvantages of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis
12.)Research Methodology of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

• Benefit Illustration – IRR (Internal Rate of Return i.e. Interest Rate) Analysis of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder

13.)Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder vs. Other Investment Products – Review

• Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Pure Term Insurance + PPF / ELSS
• Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Kotak Assured Savings Plan
• Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. LIC Dhan Vriddhi Plan

14.)Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Other Investment Products – Review Conclusion
15.)Final Verdict on Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Good or Bad?

1. An Overview of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder

It is a Non-Participating, Non-Linked, Individual, Savings, Life Insurance Plan. It is a dynamic savings-oriented life insurance plan. It provides guaranteed benefits to suit your multiple needs of wealth creation, income for short-term, or long-term goals, or secure your child’s future with guaranteed payouts.

Please Click Here to read the official brochure of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder for more policy details.

2. Features of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

• Provide financial security through life cover

• Guaranteed Benefits with multiple plan options to suit your varied needs

• Option to secure your child’s future with guaranteed payouts and in-built waiver of premium benefit

• Guaranteed lump sum benefit with a flexible liquidity option

• Option to avail Guaranteed Income for your short-term and long-term goals

• The joint-life option allows you to add your spouse

• In-built Value-Added Services for the wellbeing of your health

3. Eligibility Criteria of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis with Illustration

Plan options	Long term Income	Early Income	Assured Wealth	Bright Future
Minimum Age at Entry	3 years	8 years	90 days	18 years
Maximum Age at Entry	60 years	60 years	For Limited Pay: 60 years For Single Pay: Option 1 – 60 years Option 2 – 40 years	60 years
Minimum Age at Maturity	18 years	18 years	18 years	26 years
Maximum Age at Maturity	75 years	70 years	For Limited Pay:  75 years For Single Pay: Option 1 – 75 years Option 2 – 55 years	75 years
Premium Paying Term	5/7/10 years	7 to 10 years	Single pay/ 5/6/7/8/10 years	5 to 10 years
Deferment period	1-5 years	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	3-8 years
Income Benefit period	15/20/25 years	7/8/9/10 years	Not Applicable	3/4/5/6 years
Policy Term	6-15 years	7-10 years	For Single pay: 10 / 15 years For 5 pay: 10 / 15 years For 6 pay: 12 / 18 years For 7 pay: 14 / 20 years For 8 pay: 16 / 20 years For 10 pay: 15 / 20 years	8-18 years
Premium Payment Mode	Yearly, Half-yearly, Quarterly, Monthly
Income benefit frequency	Yearly, Half-yearly, Quarterly, Monthly

4. Plan options under Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Review

Long Term Income:

Under this option in Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder, you will have the choice to receive Guaranteed Income in arrears for 15, 20, or 25 years commencing at the end of the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Policy Term.

Option A: Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Income with 100% Return of Total Premiums paid – Guaranteed Income will be paid in arrears. At the end of the Income Benefit Period, 100% of Total Premiums Paid will be paid in lump sum along with the last guaranteed income payout.

Option B: Income only – Guaranteed Income will be paid in arrears during the Income Benefit Period, which commences at the end of the Policy Term.

Early Income:

Under this option, you will receive Guaranteed Early Income during the Policy Term and Guaranteed Income after the end of the Policy Term.

Guaranteed Early Income is expressed as a percentage of the Annualized Premium and will be paid in arrears at the same frequency as the Premium Payment Frequency opted by You.

After the end of the Policy Term, Guaranteed Income will be paid in arrears during the Income Benefit Period as per the Income Benefit Frequency opted by You.

Assured Wealth:

Under this Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder option, Guaranteed Yearly Additions (GYA) will accrue annually during the Premium Payment Term on the accumulated premiums paid, commencing from the first end of 1 policy year and will continue till the end of the Premium Payment Term.

After the end of the Premium Payment Term, you will have the option to encash the cash value of Guaranteed Yearly Additions at any time during the Policy Term.

On survival till the end of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Policy Term, Basic Sum Assured plus Loyalty Additions plus accrued Guaranteed Yearly Additions, if any will be paid to You in a lump sum

Bright Future

Under this Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder option, you will receive Milestone Payouts in arrears for 3, 4, 5, or 6 years at the end of the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Policy Term. Milestone Payouts will be paid as per the Income Benefit Period in arrears and Income Benefit frequency opted by You.

5. Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Review of Benefits in detail

Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Death benefit – Review

Death Benefit under all options is payable in case of death of Life Insured during the Policy Term, provided all due premiums are paid or the policy is in Grace Period.

Death Benefit for Single Life under plan option Long Term Income and Early Income:

Sum Assured on Death will be paid in a lump sum to the nominee

Death Benefit for Single Life under plan option Assured Wealth:

Sum Assured on Death plus accrued Guaranteed Yearly Additions, if any will be paid in lump sum to the nominee.

Death Benefit for Single Life under plan option Bright Future:

In case of death of Life Insured during the Policy Term, the following benefits will be payable:

• Future Premiums (if any) will be waived and the Policy will continue

• Sum Assured on Death will be paid in 10 equal yearly installments only, the first installment being due on the date of claim intimation

• Milestone Payouts will be paid as per the Income Benefit Period

Sum Assured on Death in case of Limited Premium/Regular Premium is Highest of,

• Death Benefit Factor * Annualized Premium plus Extra Mortality Premiums, if any (for Long Term Income, Early Income and Bright Future Plan Options only); or

• 11 x Annualized Premium plus Extra Mortality Premium, if any (for Assured Wealth Plan Option only)

• Present value of future income payouts discounted at 7.5% p.a. as on the date of intimation of death (for long-term income and Early Income option only), or

• 105% of all premiums paid (including extra mortality, if any) till the date of death

• Basic Sum Assured (for Assured Wealth Option only)

Sum Assured on Death in case of Single Premium (for Assured Wealth Option only),

Option 1: Higher of 1.25 times of Single Premium^ or Basic Sum Assured

Option 2: Higher of 10 times of Single Premium^ or Basic Sum Assured

Death Benefit (in case Spouse Cover has been selected)

Death benefit in case of death of Life Insured during the Policy Term, provided all due premiums are paid, then,

• Death Benefit is payable PLUS

• Waiver of future premiums of Spouse Cover and Policy continues with the life cover for Spouse, till the end of the Policy Term of Spouse Cover PLUS

• On the death of the Spouse during the Policy Term, after the death of the Life Insured, the Sum Assured on Death for the Spouse shall be payable.

Death benefit in case of death of Spouse during the Policy Term, provided all due premiums are paid, then,

• Sum Assured on Death applicable to Spouse is payable and spouse cover terminates,

• Policy on Life Insured continues subject to payment of all due premiums

Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Maturity Benefit – Review

On survival of Life Insured till the end of the Policy Term, he will receive the maturity benefit.

Under Long Term Income:

Guaranteed Income payouts shall be payable in arrears as per the Income Benefit and frequency of the payout opted by the Policyholder.

In the case of Long-Term Income Option, A, a 100% return of the total premium will be paid along with the last Guaranteed Income payout.

Under Early Income:

Guaranteed Income payouts shall be payable in arrears as per the Income Benefit and frequency of the payout opted by the policyholder at the inception of the policy.

Under Assured Wealth:

• Basic Sum Assured plus
• Accrued Guaranteed Yearly Additions, if any, plus
• Loyalty Addition

Under Bright Future:

Milestone Payouts will be payable in arrears as per the Income Benefit Period and frequency of the payout opted by the Policyholder.

6. Additional Benefits under Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

Guaranteed Income – Analysis

Guaranteed Income is available with Long Term Income and Early Income Options. It is expressed as a percentage of Annualized Premium and payable in arrears during the Income Benefit Period and as per the Income Benefit Frequency opted by the policyholder.

Guaranteed Early Income – Analysis

Guaranteed Early Income is available with the Early Income option. It is expressed as a percentage of the Annualized Premium and payable during the Premium Payment Term as per the premium payment frequency opted by the Policyholder.

Milestone Payouts – Analysis

Milestone Payouts are available with Bright Future Option. It is expressed as a percentage of the Basic Sum Assured and payable during the Income Benefit Period as per the Income Benefit Frequency opted by the policyholder.

Guaranteed Yearly Additions – Analysis

Guaranteed Yearly Additions are available under the Assured Wealth option only. They are expressed as a percentage of ‘Total Premiums paid’. It will accrue on the Policy Anniversary throughout the Premium Payment Term (For single premium policies – first 5 years)

Loyalty Additions – Analysis

Loyalty Additions Loyalty Additions are available under the Assured Wealth option only. They are expressed as a percentage of the Basic Sum Assured and will be paid only on survival till the end of the Policy Term.

Value Added Services – Analysis

This product offers inbuilt Health and Wellbeing Management Services where policyholders/Life Insured can avail health and wellbeing management services.

Additional Protection through Riders – Analysis

Increase the protection level under the plan by choosing from a wide range of optional riders. There are six optional riders.

7. The Grace Period, Reduced Paid-up Policy, and Revival of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

Grace period

In Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder there is a grace period of 30 days from the due date for payment of premium for the yearly, half-yearly, and quarterly modes, and 15 days for the monthly mode.

Reduced Paid-up Policy

In the case of Limited Premium and Regular Premium, after the policy acquires Surrender Value, if the subsequent premiums are not paid within the Grace Period the Base Policy will be converted into a Reduced Paid-Up policy by default.

Revival

A lapsed / Reduced Paid up policy can be revived within five years from the due date of the first unpaid premium during the Policy Term.

8. Free Look Period of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder

The Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Policyholder is offered 15 day free look period for a Policy sold through all channels (except in case of policies obtained through Distance Marketing mode and electronic policies which will have 30 Days) from the date of receipt of the Policy wherein the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Policyholder may choose to return the Policy.

9. Surrendering Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder

For Limited Premium and Regular Premium, Surrender Value will be acquired after payment of 2 consecutive full years’ premiums. For Single Premium, Surrender Value will be acquired immediately. Surrender Value payable will be higher than Guaranteed Surrender Value or Special Surrender value.

10. Advantages of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

• Premium Paying terms and Policy Terms can be chosen as per convenience.

• You can choose among Four plan options that suit your requirements.

• The policyholder can design his Income benefit period and Income benefit frequency.

• Life Insured has the option to insure his/her Spouse under spouse cover.

• Premium Break is an inbuilt benefit for Female lives where Policyholders can avail 1-year Premium Break during the Premium Payment Term.

• The Wellbeing app is an inbuilt benefit. This App is aimed at encouraging a healthy lifestyle of Life Insured and provides the necessary tools to manage a healthy lifestyle.

• Loans can be availed under this plan with a maximum limit of 80% of the Surrender Value of the policy.

• Rider options and Tax benefits are added advantages.

11. Disadvantages of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

• Most of the added benefits are limited to particular plan options. For example, Loyalty addition is available only for the Assured Wealth option.

• The Sum Assured is too low.

• The lock-in period is 2 years for surrendering or to obtain a loan.

12. Research Methodology of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Analysis

As an investor, you should look at the return generated by the plan. For this, we need to estimate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder. There are four plan options under this plan. The cash flow patterns vary from plan to plan. Here, we have taken Option 3: Assured wealth. In this option either you have the option to encash the cash value of Guaranteed Yearly Additions at any time during the Policy Term or you can withdraw it at the time of maturity.

Benefit Illustration – IRR (Internal Rate of Return i.e. Interest Rate) Analysis of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder

For Male aged 35 years, Premium: ₹ 1,00,000 p.a. excl. GST paid annually, Premium Payment Term: 10 years, Policy Term: 20 years, Basic Sum Assured: ₹ 14,64,080.

Male	35 Years
Basic Sum Assured	14,64,080
Policy Term	20 years
Premium Paying Term	10 years
Annualised premium	1,00,000
Plan Option	Assured Wealth

Here, in this illustration, we assume that the policyholder allows the Guaranteed Yearly additions to accrue. On maturity, he will be receiving a lumpsum of Basic Sum Assured plus Loyalty Additions plus accrued Guaranteed Yearly Additions.

		Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder
Age	Year	Annualised premium / Maturity benefit	Death benefit
35	1	-1,00,000	14,64,080
36	2	-1,00,000	14,64,080
37	3	-1,00,000	14,64,080
38	4	-1,00,000	14,64,080
39	5	-1,00,000	14,64,080
40	6	-1,00,000	14,64,080
41	7	-1,00,000	14,64,080
42	8	-1,00,000	14,64,080
43	9	-1,00,000	14,64,080
44	10	-1,00,000	14,64,080
45	11	0	14,64,080
46	12	0	14,64,080
47	13	0	14,64,080
48	14	0	14,64,080
49	15	0	14,64,080
50	16	0	14,64,080
51	17	0	14,64,080
52	18	0	14,64,080
53	19	0	14,64,080
54	20	0	14,64,080
		23,06,896	14,64,080
	IRR	5.46%

In the above illustration, the IRR is calculated at 5.46%.

If he pays the premium regularly for 10 years, then he will be receiving a maturity of ₹ 23.06 Lakhs. The IRR for this cash flow is 5.46%. This rate of return is lower than the economic inflation rate. So, obviously, there will be difficulties in achieving your financial goals. The rate of return is not in favour of the investor and the Sum assured is also too low.

13. Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder vs. Other Investment Products – Review

The final maturity corpus is not sufficient under Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder. Investing in this plan will derail your financial goals. So let us look out for other investments where you could yield better returns.

Let us compare the Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder with other products by investing the same premium of ₹ 1 lakh as seen in the above illustration.

i) Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Pure Term Insurance + PPF / ELSS

In the previous illustration, the sum assured is ₹ 14.64 lakhs and the annualised premium is ₹ 1 Lakh. The premium paying term is 10 years and the Policy Term is 20 years. For the same metric, a Pure-Term life insurance plan will cost you ₹ 12,500. Out of ₹ 1 Lakh, after the Pure Term Insurance Premium Payment will leave you with ₹ 87,500 p.a. This amount could be invested as per risk appetite.

Pure term Insurance
Basic Sum Assured	15,00,000
Policy Term	20 years
Premium Paying Term	10 years
Annualised premium	12,500
Investment	87,500

Investors who are ready to take risks can go for equity-related instruments and others can stick to debt instruments. In the below calculation, both equity and debt instruments are considered just to showcase the two different scenarios.

PPF – The Premium Paying Term in the earlier illustration is 10 years but in PPF the contribution is 15 years. In the last 5 years adjustments were made to make a minimum contribution of ₹ 500. After that, the account is extended for the next 5 years and the final maturity is available at the end of 20 years.

ELSS – Investment is made in the initial 10 years and the fund grows for the next 10 years. The final maturity proceeds at the end of 20 years are subject to capital gains tax.

Below are the Tax calculations.

		Term Insurance + PPF		Term insurance + ELSS
Age	Year	Term Insurance premium + PPF	Death benefit	Term Insurance premium + ELSS	Death benefit
35	1	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
36	2	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
37	3	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
38	4	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
39	5	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
40	6	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
41	7	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
42	8	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
43	9	-1,00,000	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
44	10	-97,500	15,00,000	-1,00,000	15,00,000
45	11	-500	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
46	12	-500	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
47	13	-500	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
48	14	-500	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
49	15	-500	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
50	16	0	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
51	17	0	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
52	18	0	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
53	19	0	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
54	20	0	15,00,000	0	15,00,000
		25,82,127	15,00,000	49,04,727	15,00,000
	IRR	6.21%		10.51%

In the above illustration, the IRR of Term Insurance + PPF is calculated at 6.21% and the IRR of Term insurance + ELSS is calculated at 10.51%

The Maturity Value under PPF is ₹ 25.82 Lakhs and the IRR for this along with Pure Term Insurance is 6.21%.

The Maturity Value under ELSS is ₹ 49.04 Lakhs (post-tax value) and the IRR for this along with Pure Term Insurance is 10.51% (Post-Tax Return).

ELSS Tax calculation:

Maturity value after 20 years	53,41,363
Less
Purchase price	8,75,000
Long-term capital gains	44,66,363
Exemption limit	1,00,000
Taxable LTCG	43,66,363
Tax paid on LTCG	4,36,636
Maturity value after tax	49,04,727

The above analysis clearly shows that the returns under PPF and ELSS along with pure term insurance policy yield better than Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder. Investing separately for your life goals always aids you in achieving your goals.

ii) Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Kotak Assured Savings Plan

Please read the complete review of The Kotak Assured Savings Plan Here. It is a Non-Participating Endowment and Assurance Plan. This Plan not only promises security but also assists in the accumulation of wealth for the achievement of your future financial goals by providing Guaranteed Benefits.

iii) Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. LIC Dhan Vriddhi Plan

You can find the complete review of the LIC Dhan Vriddhi Plan Here. This plan promises to give financial support to the family in the event that the life assured dies unexpectedly during the Policy Term. It also provides a Guaranteed Lump Sum amount for the ensured living life on the Maturity Date.

14. Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder Vs. Other Investment Products – Review Conclusion

After comparing and analyzing “Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder” with other investment options. It seems clear that Term Insurance + PPF or ELSS is a better option for the long term because it doesn’t mix insurance and investment components together.

15. Final Verdict on Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder – Good or Bad?

Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder is a guaranteed savings plan where all the benefits are guaranteed. Moreover, you can choose whether you need early income, regular income, or lumpsum payment. Either you can receive the benefits immediately or you can accrue and then withdraw as and when required.

The Death Benefit under each plan option varies and it is a little complex to understand. It differs based on the plan option; premium paying frequency and life cover option chosen.

Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder is an insurance cum investment product. From an investment perspective, the return is lower than a bank’s Fixed deposit interest rate. This rate is not favorable for a long-term investment. From a life cover perspective, the Sum Assured is too low to cover the family’s basic needs in case of eventualities.

Don’t get misled by the Good reviews of Kotak Guaranteed Fortune Builder on social media platforms like Quora, Facebook, Twitter, etc. A Pure Term Policy and a diversified investment portfolio aided by a professional financial planner will provide you with financial security.

But insurance agents will push these types of endowment policies insisting on Guaranteed Returns. It is solely for their high agent commission. Please, beware!