SBI Life Smart Elite Plan-ULIP Review: Should you Buy it or Not?

Table of Content:

1.)Introduction to SBI Life Smart Elite Plan
2.)What is the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan?
3.)Features of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan
4.)Review the Benefits of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan

• Death Benefit
• Maturity Benefit

5.)Eligibility Criteria for SBI Life Smart Elite Plan:
6.)Fund Options of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis with illustration
7.)Charges of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Review

• Premium Allocation Charge Analysis with Illustration
• Policy Administration Charge Analysis
• Fund Management Charges Analysis with Illustration
• Discontinuance Charge Analysis with Illustration
• Partial Withdrawal Charge Analysis
• Switching Charge Analysis
• Premium Redirection Charge Analysis
• Mortality Charge Analysis
• Accidental Benefit Charge Analysis
• Medical Expenses on Revival Analysis

8.)Research Methodology of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan Analysis
9.)SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis with an illustration
10.)IRR (Internal Rate of Return i.e. Interest Rate) Calculation of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan with Illustration
11.)SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs. Risk-Free Investments + Term Insurance Review with Illustration
12.)Advantages of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan Analysis
13.)Disadvantages of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan Analysis
14.)Discontinuance of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan Analysis

• Discontinuance during the lock-in period
• Discontinuance after the lock-in period

16.) Surrendering/Cancelling SBI Life Smart Elite Plan after the free look period Analysis

• During the lock-in period
• After the lock-in period

17.) Final Verdict of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan-ULIP Review Good or Bad?

Introduction to SBI Life Smart Elite Plan

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan is a ULIP that provides both life protection and investment option.

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan claims that this ULIP plan gives you the power to choose the options that suit your requirements.

But will SBI Life Smart Elite Plan give us power enough to reach our financial freedom?

Let’s analyse SBI Life Smart Elite Plan and see whether you should buy it or not.

What is the SBI life Smart Elite Plan?

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan is a Unit Linked life insurance product for individuals.

It gives us the flexibility to pay the premiums for a limited period or a lump sum.

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan gives us the freedom to stay invested and life protection. It gives you market-related investment returns.

As per your life stage and requirements, you can choose your Premium Payment Terms, Policy Terms, Premium A mount, and Life Protection.

The Death Benefit in this insurance plan has two options.

1. Gold Option
2. Platinum Option

You can choose any one of these options while purchasing the SBI Life Smart Elite policy.

But once you choose this option then, it cannot be changed during the Policy Term.

Features of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Review

• Option to pay your premium for 7, 10, or 12 years premiums or lump sum.
• The investment return is market-related. So, it can give a better return in the long term.
• You don’t have to pay Premium Allocation Charge from the 6th Premium Term onwards.
• You can invest in various funds and can manage them at your convenience.
• Options to choose between Gold option and Platinum Option.
• The value of life coverage will be 7 times a Single Premium in Limited Premium Payment and 1.25 times in lumpsum.
• This policy has switching and redirecting options.
• Accidental Death and Permanently Disabled benefits are part of the plan.
• You can get a Tax Benefit under this plan.

Analysis of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan (ULIP)

Review of Benefits – SBI Life Smart Elite Plan Review of Four Options under Death Benefit

If the policyholder passes away, unfortunately, then the nominee will get the death benefit.

Gold Option:

In the Gold Option of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan, the nominees will get the death benefit which is the highest of the following.

• Fund value as on the date of claim or
• Sum Assured minus any applicable partial withdrawal or
• 105% of the premium paid

Platinum Option:

In the Platinum Option of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan, the nominee will the death benefit which is the highest of the following

• Fund value as on the date of the claim plus sum assured or
• 105% of the total premium paid

In-built plan:

If in case the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan holder becomes permanently disabled, then he will get an accident benefit. But, it is valid for one time. After that, the policy will become a basic one.

Settlement Option:

The death benefit can be paid in the form of a lump sum or as per the settlement option.

Under the settlement option, the nominee can receive the amount within 2 to 5 years as a yearly, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly payout.

Maturity Benefit in SBI Life Smart Elite Plan :

After the end of the SBI Life Smart Elite policy term, the policyholder will get the fund value on the date of maturity as lumpsum.

Eligibility Criteria for SBI Life Smart Elite Plan:

Fund Options of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis with Illustration

You can invest in any of the funds or the combination of the following funds in the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan.

Charges of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Review

Premium Allocation Charge: Analysis with Illustration

This charge will be deducted from your SBI Life Smart Elite Plan premiums.

 Policy Administration Charge: Analysis

This charge will cost Rs. 60 per month for LPPT, and Rs. 50 for a single premium. This shall be deducted during the cancellation of the units.

The SBI Life Smart Elite policy Administration fee will be subjected to a cap of Rs. 500.

Fund Management Charges: Analysis with illustration

A percent proportion of the asset value of the relevant fund will be levied before computing the NAV on a daily basis, as shown below:

Discontinuance Charge: Analysis with illustration

This shall be deducted as a percentage of your annual premium term or fund value during the year of discontinuance.

Partial Withdrawal charge: Analysis

There is one free partial withdrawal available per year. After that, you need to pay Rs. 100 for every partial withdrawal.

The partial withdrawal charge is subject to a cap of Rs. 500 per withdrawal.

Switching Charge: Analysis

You have the freedom to switch your policy only 2 times per year without any cost. But, after that, you have to pay Rs. 100 for every switch. This Switching charge is subject to a cap of Rs. 500 per switch.

Premium Redirection charge: Analysis

There is one free redirection available per year. After that, you have to pay Rs. 100 for every redirection.

These fees can be recovered by canceling units at the current unit price on the date of the redirection request. Redirection charge is subject to a cap of Rs. 500 per transaction.

Mortality Charge: Analysis

It is deducted from the fund value on the first day of each month through unit cancellation. It is depended on your age and the sum at risk during the time of charge deduction.

Accidental Benefit Charge: Analysis

The Accidental Benefit Charge will be deducted Rs. 0.50 p.a per 1000 sum assured on monthly basis through the cancellation of units. This charge will not be deducted if the SBI Life Smart Elite policy status is mentioned as “paid.”

Medical Expenses on Revival: Analysis

This charge will be paid by the policyholder through the cancellation of units that are subject to an utmost of Rs. 3000.

Do you want to watch this SBI Life Smart Elite Plan review as a Youtube video?

With an expert view on IRR analysis and PowerPoint illustrations, check our youtube video review below

Research Methodology of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis

Hope you have understood by now, what is the overall benefits, SBI Life Smart Elite Plan offers you.

Let us further analyse, by creating different investment combinations which would give us similar investment and insurance benefits.

So that we can evaluate SBI Life Smart Elite Plan by comparing and contrasting it with similar benefit-giving investments.

First, let us calculate the Internal Rate of Return provided by this SBI Life Smart Elite Plan and then compare the same with PPF and ELSS and mutual fund investments along with term insurance combinations.

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis with an illustration:

IRR (Internal Rate of Return i.e. Interest Rate) Calculation of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan with an Illustration:

Now, let’s calculate the IRR of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan by using the online calculator provided by SBI Life.

Annual contribution: Rs. 5, 00, 000

Premium Term: 10 years

Policy Term: 20 years

Now, let’s see the IRR (Internal Rate of Return) for the worst-case scenario with an illustration. Here let’s take the assumed gross return as 4% in the worst-case scenario.

As you can see in the above illustration, in the worst-case scenario, the IRR is calculated at 2.26%.

It gives us the Maturity benefit is Rs. 70, 84, 547 and the Death benefit is Rs. 55, 73, 115.

Now, let’s take the best-case scenario. Here let’s take the assumed gross return is 8%.

As you can see in the above illustration, the best-case scenario IRR is calculated at 6.20%.

At the end of the policy term, it gives us the Maturity benefit of Rs. 1, 28, 87, 865 and the Death benefit is Rs. 69, 40, 724.

Do you want to watch this review in Hindi?

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan (एसबीआई लाइफ स्मार्ट एलीट) -ULIP (हिन्दी) Review (Should you buy it or not?) – Hindi

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs. Risk-Free Investments + Term Insurance: Review with Illustration

This insurance policy may give you the impression of long-term wealth. But in reality, accompanied by risk level it is not enough to beat long-term inflation.

You can simply yield a better return on risk-free investment products. Such as FDs, PPF, Post office schemes, NPS, etc.

Here, let’s see the IRR of risk-free investment products compared to SBI Life Smart Elite Plan.

Let’s take the annual contribution as Rs. 5, 00, 000

Term Insurance:

Sum Assured: Rs. 1, 00, 00, 000

Annual Premium: Rs. 13, 500

Tenure: 20 years

Investment Contribution: Rs. 4, 86, 500

Tenure: 7 years with contribution + 13 years without the contribution

As you can see in the above illustration, even a risk-free investment gives you a better return compared to SBI Life Smart Elite Plan.

Now, let us compare the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan value with the investment value which involves risk.

SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs. ELSS + Term Insurance:

So, here I am taking ELSS for a comparison.

Let’s take the same value as above.

Let’s take the annual contribution as Rs. 5, 00, 000

Term Insurance:

Sum Assured: Rs. 1, 00, 00, 000

Annual Premium: Rs. 13, 500

Tenure: 20 years

Investment Contribution: Rs. 4, 86, 500

Tenure: 7 years with contribution + 13 years without the contribution

Then,

As you can see in the above illustration, the ELSS IRR is calculated at 11.69% after taking the risk. At the end of the 20 years, we will get Rs. 2, 94, 32, 643 as investment return.

So, after taking risks ELSS gives us the best return compared to SBI Life Smart Elite Plan.

• SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs SBI Life Smart Privilege Plan

Both plans are ULIPs. But, the main difference between SBI Life Smart Elite Plan & SBI Life Smart Privilege is that SBI Life Smart Privilege Plan has 11 different fund options to choose from.

To read the whole review, click the link below.

How Good or Bad is SBI Life Smart Privilege Plan?– Review 2023

• SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs SBI Life Retire Smart Plan

Both plans are ULIPs. But the difference between the two is that, SBI Life Retire Smart Plan is designed to be a pension plan whereas SBI Life Smart Elite Plan is for life protection.

Please read the review below with the Maturity Value calculator.

SBI Life Retire Smart Plan Review—Should You Buy It?

• SBI Life Smart Elite Plan vs Other Investment Plans – Review Conclusion

If you have read this review carefully till now, you would have concluded that PPF or ELSS + Term Insurance gives far better returns with not much risk.

Yes! That’s right, new plans should always be compared and reviewed with other plans for a better overall understanding.

Now, let’s just analyze the advantages of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan in short points!

Advantages of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis

• There are two types of protection available: Gold Option and Platinum Option.
• There is no Premium Allocation Charge after the 6th policy year onwards. It can help you to increase the value of your fund.
• You can invest in any funds among the 8 suggested funds that suit your requirements. Min switch amount is Rs. 5000 after that you have to pay Rs. 100 for every switch. It is allowed during the settlement period.
• From the 2nd policy term onwards, premium redirection is available to the policyholder. One Premium redirection is free, after that, you have to pay Rs. 100 for every transaction.
• Partial withdrawal is allowed from the 6th policy term onwards. One partial withdrawal is free after that you have to pay Rs. 100 for every withdrawal.

Disadvantages of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis

• The policyholder bears the investment risk in the investment portfolio during the settlement term.
• The Lock-in period is 5 years.
• During the first 5 years of the policy term, the SBI Life Smart Elite Insurance plan will provide no liquidity. Policyholders will not be able to totally or partially surrender or withdraw funds until the conclusion of the 5th policy term.
• There is no option of availing of a loan under this SBI Life Smart Elite insurance plan.
• Despite the fact that it is a combination of insurance and investment products, neither insurance nor investment satisfies the goal.

Discontinuance of the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan: Analysis

If you didn’t pay the premium term, then you will be given a grace period to pay the premium. After the grace period, it will be considered a Discontinuance of the policy.

The grace period will be 30 days in yearly, half-yearly, and quarterly modes and 15 days in monthly modes.

Discontinuance of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan during the lock-in period:

If you didn’t pay the premium during the grace period, then you will have the following options,

• Option to revive the policy within 3 years
• Option to surrender the policy.

Discontinuance of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan after the lock-in period

The policy will be converted into a reduced paid-up policy if the policyholder decides to discontinue the policy after the lock-in period. According to the policy, you have the following discontinuance options.

• Revive the policy within 3 years
• Surrender the policy

The Paid-up sum assured will be the sum assured multiplied by the total number of premiums paid. All charges will be applied according to the terms and conditions.

For more details, you can read the SBI Life Smart Elite plan brochure here(pdf).

So, now let’s see what you should do if you are thinking about canceling/surrendering the insurance policy.

Surrendering/Cancelling SBI Life Smart Elite Plan during the Free Look Period: Analysis

If you are not satisfied with the SBI Life Smart Elite Plan, then you can return the policy by stating your reason during the free look period.

The free look period will be 15 days for any channel mode and 30 days for electronic mode.

Surrendering/Cancelling SBI Life Smart Elite Plan after the free look period: Analysis

During the lock-in period:

• The surrendering policy is applicable.
• You have to pay the discontinuance charge.
• You will earn min interest of 4% in the fund value.
• Life cover and In-Built Accident Benefit will become invalid
• The fund value is payable on the 1st day of the 6th policy term.

After the lock-in period:

The fund value will be paid as soon as possible.

Final Verdict of SBI Life Smart Elite Plan-ULIP Review: Good or Bad?

Compare to separate investment and insurance plans, this SBI Life Smart Elite Plan doesn’t fulfill the conditions of an investment and insurance.

Even the money accumulated during the policy term, cannot help you to beat the inflation.

After analysing all the factors, for long-term wealth creation,

Like many policies in the bazaar, this SBI Life Smart Elite Plan is not worth the money and time of the investor.

Insurance agents would try to push you into this plan for their agent commission. Please beware!

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