- Home>
- Blog>
- Investments>
- ULIP Returns in 10 Years
Trust of 20+ Years in Industry


Written bySumit Narula
Investment Writer
Published 15th December 2025
Reviewed byPrateek Pandey
Last Modified 15th December 2025
Investment Expert

What is a 10-year ULIP?
A 10-year ULIP is a type of life insurance policy which offers coverage to the policyholder for a period of 10 years. It also allocates a part of the premium to market-linked assets.
The policyholder can choose between equity, debt or hybrid funds, along with having the option to switch between them during the policy term, based on their risk appetite.
As these assets are market-linked, they have the potential to generate a significant corpus over the 10-year period. However, the overall ULIP returns in 10 years will depend on market fluctuations.
The plan also offers financial security to your family alongside wealth creation. In case of the policyholder’s unfortunate demise within the term, the nominee gets the sum assured, which enables them to cater to their living expenses and future goals.
How Does a 10-year ULIP Work?
A 10-year ULIP combines long-term investment with life insurance, helping you grow wealth while staying financially protected. Your premiums are split between providing life cover and investing in market-linked funds.
Over the 10-year term, you can adjust your investments based on your goals, risk appetite, and market conditions.
- Life Insurance Protection
A share of each premium is set aside to provide life cover. If you pass away during the policy term, your nominee receives either the fund value or the sum assured, whichever amount is higher. This gives your family financial security when they need it most. According to IRDAI Regulations, for regular ULIPs, your sum assured is generally 10 times your annual premium amount. - Investment in Market-linked Funds
The rest of your ULIP premium is invested in market-linked funds. When you decide to invest in ULIPs, you have a choice of investments based on your financial needs and your willingness to accept risk.Your ULIP can be modified throughout your 10-year investment period, depending on how you feel about your financial priorities.
Suppose you choose a 10-year ULIP to build funds for a future goal while keeping your family protected. You pick a mix of equity and debt funds that suit your risk appetite.
As the years pass, you adjust your allocation based on market conditions, shifting towards equity when you want higher growth or towards debt when you prefer stability.
Throughout the term, the life cover stays active, ensuring your family receives financial support if anything unexpected happens to you.
Benefits of Investing in a ULIP for 10 years
Investing in a ULIP for 10 years offers a balanced approach to financial planning by combining protection, flexibility, and growth.
It allows you to stay invested long enough to benefit from market cycles while enjoying life cover and tax advantages. This makes a 10-year ULIP a suitable option for achieving long-term financial goals with added security.
1. Combined Life Cover and Investment Growth
ULIPs combine both your insurance and investment needs into one product. Part of the premium supports your life cover, while the remaining contribution is directed into funds that align with your risk appetite. This structure ensures that your family remains financially protected while you simultaneously build wealth for future goals.
2. Investment Flexibility
One of the most useful aspects of a ULIP is the flexibility to switch between funds whenever needed. This freedom helps you respond to market movements and adjust your portfolio, which is helpful when aiming for the best ULIP returns over 10 years. Since most fund switches come at no additional cost, you can select the funds that best support your long-term financial plans.
3. Partial Withdrawal Facility
Most ULIPs allow you to withdraw part of your money when the lock-in period completes. It is a good option in case you encounter an urgent expenditure or require capital towards short-term objectives during your 10-year investment tenure.
4. Strong Potential as a Long-Term Investment
ULIPs are one of the best investment options for long-term goals because their returns are linked to the stock market. Keeping your money invested for 10 years helps balance out short-term volatility and improves the potential for healthier gains. Many investors prefer to look at the returns over 10 years, because this period often reflects the true growth capability of the plan.
5. Option to Enhance Coverage With Riders
ULIPs allow you to include riders that provide added protection. These additions can cover critical illness, accidental death or other specific risks. By doing so, they turn your ULIP into a more complete financial safeguard that supports you through different life situations.
6. Tax Benefits
Premiums paid towards the life insurance portion of your ULIP are eligible for tax relief under Section 80C up to the permissible limit. However, this is only available if you are filing under the old regime.
Additionally, the maturity value, subject to prevailing tax rules, may also qualify for exemption under Section 10D. This means your investment works in two ways by helping you save tax while creating long-term growth opportunities.
What is the Expected Return on a ULIP Policy After 10 Years?
The growth you can expect from a ULIP over 10 years depends largely on the type of funds you select within the plan.
Since ULIPs provide access to different fund categories such as equity, debt and balanced options, the performance of these underlying investments directly shapes your results.
This is why a proper ULIP return comparison in 10 years becomes useful when assessing how different fund choices may perform over time.
Your ULIP returns in 10 years will also vary according to how you manage your portfolio during the policy term, as well as broader market movements. It is worth remembering that ULIPs include certain charges, and these deductions can influence the final value of your investment.
How is the Return on a ULIP Calculated?
There are two main methods through which you can calculate and understand ULIP returns growth:
Absolute Returns
To work out the absolute return, you need the initial Net Asset Value (NAV) and the latest NAV of the fund. NAV represents the value of a fund’s assets after subtracting its liabilities and indicates the price per unit of the fund. This helps you judge whether the units are valued fairly.
The formula to calculate absolute return is as follows:
Absolute Return = [(Current NAV − Initial NAV) ÷ Initial NAV] × 100
This approach is most useful for shorter investment periods because NAV values tend to fluctuate over longer horizons, which may change the final outcome
CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
For long-term investments, CAGR provides a clearer picture of how much your ULIP has grown each year on average. The calculation uses both the starting NAV and the current NAV, along with the number of years you have been invested. The formula is:
CAGR = [{(Current NAV ÷ Initial NAV)^(1 ÷ Number of Years)} − 1] × 100
By entering these details into a ULIP calculator , you can receive an estimated projection of future returns. The calculator takes into account factors such as potential fund performance, inflation and applicable charges to offer a realistic assessment of how your ULIP might grow over tim
Key Factors Affecting ULIP Returns in 10 Years
Several factors influence how your ULIP will perform, and understanding them can help you work towards achieving the best ULIP returns over 10 years:
ULIP Charges
Different insurers apply several types of fees, such as mortality charges, administration fees, fund management charges and premium allocation costs. These deductions are taken from your fund value before the maturity amount is paid out and can therefore influence your overall returns.
As you explore ULIP plans, it is helpful to compare these charges carefully. The IRDAI has also placed limits on the fees insurers can levy to ensure policyholders are protected from high costs.
Fund Management Quality
The experience and investment style of the fund manager greatly influence the performance of your fund. An effective manager is able to make decisions that are informed and might lead to improvement in performance. The evaluation process should involve checking the track record and the background of the manager.
Premium Level
The amount you invest also affects the overall results. The higher the premiums, the more wealth can be created, but the contribution must always be affordable and in line with your financial plans. Premium allocation charges are also worth examining.
Market Performance
Your ULIP returns in 10 years depend heavily on how the market behaves throughout your investment horizon. Reviewing historical trends, including ULIP returns over the previous decade, can provide helpful insights and assist in making better fund choices.
Investor Strategy
The investment style you use personally has an impact on the end result. An aggressive strategy could be associated with more robust growth but with a greater risk, whereas a cautious strategy would provide consistent yet small returns. It is crucial to select an approach that suits your risk appetite and long-term goals.
Market Conditions
Some economic aspects that can affect the performance of your policy include inflation and interest rates. Thus, it is always good to keep an eye on the broader economic picture and set more realistic expectations. Furthermore, investment diversification will reduce risk levels, as well as increase chances of better returns.
Asset Allocation
The manner in which your funds are allocated to equity, debt and hybrid options is of primary importance in the performance determination. An effective balance that incorporates your objectives and risk tolerance can be used to stabilise market change without compromising growth opportunities.
A 10-year ULIP gives you the combined advantages of life cover and long-term market-linked investment. By choosing suitable funds, managing your allocation wisely and staying invested through market cycles, you can make the most of ULIP returns growth over the decade.
Associated charges, the condition of the market, the quality of fund management, and your own investment strategy are all influencing factors on the final outcome. A well-chosen ULIP plan held for 10 years can significantly boost long-term wealth generation while safeguarding your loved ones in your absence.
FAQs about ULIP Returns in 10 Years
What is the typical return on a ULIP over 10 years?
Over a 10-year period, ULIP returns usually fall within the range of 8% to 12% annually. The exact value is dependent on the nature of the fund you select and the market performance during the investment period.
Can ULIP returns be predicted over 10 years?
No, the returns of ULIP cannot be forecasted. This is because the investment aspect is tied to the performance of the markets, and returns will differ depending on the market trends as well as the fund's behaviour in the long run.
What factors affect ULIP returns over 10 years?
The ULIP performance over 10 years is influenced by factors such as market conditions, fund type (whether equity, debt or hybrid), and various ULIP charges like fund management fees and mortality charges.
How does market volatility impact ULIP returns over 10 years?
The ULIP values may fluctuate due to market volatility, especially for equity-oriented funds. Nevertheless, a 10-year investment usually cancels short-term volatility and possibly enhances stability.
5.Can I switch between funds during the 10-year ULIP investment?
Yes, most ULIPs do give you the option to change between funds, such as between equity and debt, within the policy term. This flexibility lets you adjust your investment according to changing market conditions or your own risk tolerance.
How do ULIP returns compare to mutual funds over 10 years?
Over a decade, ULIPs can deliver returns that are broadly in line with mutual funds, especially when you invest in equity-oriented ULIP funds. The difference is actually that ULIPs are a combination of market-oriented growth and embedded life insurance cover, with the potential of investment and financial protection in the same plan.
What are the tax benefits of investing in ULIPs for 10 years?
By investing in a ULIP for 10 years, you will be able to enjoy great tax benefits. Premiums qualify for deductions under Section 80C up to the specified limit (old regime), and, subject to prevailing tax rules, the maturity amount may be exempt under Section 10(10D). This will not only help you create long-term wealth in your ULIP, but it will also enable you to save taxes.
How do ULIP charges affect returns over 10 years?
The fees incurred include premium allocation, mortality charges and fund management fees, which are charged against your investment and can reduce the end results. These costs should be considered when comparing a 10-year ULIP plan.
Dec25/1212/KBBB
Sources:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/tax/short-term-capital-gains-on-listed-equities-hiked-from-15-of-20-how-will-it-impact-your-investments/articleshow/111952832.cms
https://cleartax.in/s/asset-types
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/tutorials/14-%20stcg.pdf
https://cleartax.in/s/short-term-capital-gain-tax-on-property
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/tax/short-term-capital-gains-on-listed-equities-hiked-from-15-of-20-how-will-it-impact-your-investments/articleshow/111952832.cms
https://cleartax.in/s/asset-types
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/tutorials/14-%20stcg.pdf
https://cleartax.in/s/short-term-capital-gain-tax-on-property

Online Sales Helpline
- Whatsapp: 7428396005Send ‘Quick Help’ from your registered mobile number
- Phone: 0124 648 890009:30 AM to 06:30 PM
(Monday to Sunday except National Holidays) - service.helpdesk@axismaxlife.comPlease write to us incase of any escalation/feedback/queries.
Customer Service
- Whatsapp: 7428396005Send ‘Hi’ from your registered mobile number
- 1860 120 55779:00 AM to 6:00 PM
(Monday to Saturday) - service.helpdesk@axismaxlife.comPlease write to us incase of any escalation/feedback/queries.
NRI Helpdesk
- +91 11 71025900, +91 11 61329950 (Available 24X7 Monday to Sunday)
- nri.helpdesk@axismaxlife.comPlease write to us incase of any escalation/feedback/queries.





