The 2-Phase Retirement Strategy
LIC Pension / Annuity Plans Compared
*Approximate annuity rates. Actual rates vary by age, plan, and annuity option chosen. Check with LIC for current rates.
Annuity Options — Which to Choose?
Highest pension amount. Pension stops on death — nothing returned to family. Best if you have other assets for family.
Slightly lower pension. On death, full purchase price returned to nominee. Most popular option — you get pension AND family gets money back.
Pension for both spouses. After primary annuitant's death, spouse continues to receive pension. Good for couples.
Pension guaranteed for fixed period even if you die early. After guaranteed period, pension continues for life.
Worked Example — Monthly Pension
| Annuity Option | ~Annual Rate | ~Monthly Pension | On Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Annuity Only | ~9% | ~₹37,500 | Nothing |
| Life + Return of PP ⭐ | ~7.5% | ~₹31,250 | ₹50L returned |
| Joint Life | ~7% | ~₹29,167 | Spouse continues |
| 10-yr Guaranteed + Life | ~8% | ~₹33,333 | Min 10 yr guaranteed |
*Approximate rates for age 60, ₹50L purchase price. Actual annuity rates vary by LIC's prevailing rates. Monthly pension = annual annuity / 12.
Complete Retirement Portfolio — The LIC Way
| Component | Monthly | Maturity/Corpus at 60 | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIC Jeevan Anand (₹15L SA) | ~₹7,875 | ~₹30-33L | Guaranteed + lifelong cover |
| PPF (₹1.5L/year) | ~₹12,500 | ~₹1.0-1.2Cr | Tax-free, guaranteed |
| EPF (employer) | Auto-deducted | ~₹50-80L | Base retirement |
| NPS/MF SIP | ~₹5,000 | ~₹50-70L | Growth component |
| TOTAL | ~₹25,375/month | ~₹2.3-2.8 Crore | ₹1.5-2L/month pension |
₹2.5Cr at age 60 → convert to annuity at 7.5% → approximately ₹1.56L/month pension for life. Plus EPF pension. These are approximate projections. Actual amounts depend on returns and LIC rates.
💡 Expert Tip (Haresh Hirapara): Most people make the mistake of buying only LIC endowment for retirement — the maturity gives a lump sum, but no regular income. My recommended strategy: (1) Age 25-30: Start Jeevan Anand/Labh + PPF — these build your corpus. (2) Age 55-60: Convert LIC maturity + PPF withdrawal into Jeevan Shanti or Saral Pension for guaranteed monthly income. (3) Choose the "Life Annuity with Return of Purchase Price" option — you get pension AND your family gets the money back on your death. Also, don't forget Jeevan Umang (745) if you start early — 8% of SA every year after PPT is like a built-in pension. Consult a financial advisor for a personalised retirement plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. LIC-Calculator.com is not affiliated with LIC of India. Pension rates, annuity amounts, and retirement projections are approximate based on publicly available information. Actual annuity rates depend on LIC's prevailing rates at the time of purchase. For official information, visit licindia.in.
This is not financial advice. Please consult a certified financial advisor for personalised retirement planning.