Page 22 - Personal Finance

Cover for natural death begins after the initial waiting period ends

The initial waiting period is meant to safeguard against moral hazard

Filing ITR for AY 2025-26? Avoid these common mistakes and new pitfalls

New ITR forms, stricter checks, filing your AY 2025-26 return? Here's what to watch out for to avoid delays, notices, or penalties

Dynamic bond funds: Check rate-cycle track record before investing

A dynamic bond fund (DBF) can help investors navigate rate cycles effectively

Corporate FDs can get you higher returns if you are prepared for the risk

Such FDs are similar to those offered by commercial banks but carry a higher interest rate, as well as risk of default

Risk-tolerant, long-term investors may hold these in satellite portfolio

EW index-based funds can be more volatile due to exposure to smaller companies

Bajaj Allianz Life declares biggest bonus ever: Who will get payout

Company says payout shows 'strength of prudent investment strategies and finances'

Gold ETFs gain favour; choose ones with low cost, minimal tracking error

More investors now adhere to the principle of asset allocation. "Increasingly, they treat gold as a financial asset in their portfolio rather than just as jewellery," says Vikram Dhawan

From MCLR to repo-linked loans, pick lenders with low, stable spread

Agarwal points out that rate changes in the external benchmark are transmitted automatically, without being influenced by a bank's internal cost structure

Why competition in money matters can be damaging to your financial journey

Unnecessary competitiveness shifts our focus from our own destination to imagined races. It turns a fulfilling long-term journey into a relentless sprint that leaves us tired and anxious

EPFO makes pension claims smoother: 5 updates you should know about

IT upgrades and simpler process leads to 'less paperwork, faster processing' of claims

Need to break your fixed deposit early? Here's how to slash penalty costs

Learn how to minimize penalties on premature FD withdrawals by choosing the right bank and smart structuring strategies like laddering, sweep-in, and loans against FDs.

No I-T on new flat received exchange for old under Section 56(2)(x)

The judgment is likely to benefit prospective homeowners who are planning to exchange their old homes for upgraded accommodations in newly developed residential projects

Underinsured? 75% in India have health policies below Rs 10 lakh cover

The issue is most pronounced in South India, where 66% of policyholders have coverage of Rs 5 lakh or less.

Axis mutual fund uses ONDC to reach underserved, remote investors

This integration 'marks a significant step toward making mutual fund investments more accessible, affordable, and inclusive', says the company

Minimising payout on home loan: Boost credit score, prepay, cut tenure

A home loan balance transfer can help move to a lower interest rate

Experts divided over HC verdict on pension rights to second wife

Legal experts term it a 'progressive' order which may open Pandora's box

Is pre-closing personal loans a smart move? Know benefits & drawbacks

You save on interest costs, particularly if you make early repayments in the loan cycle when interest forms a large portion of the EMI

Why Zerodha's Nithin Kamath thinks investors must take a break from trading

'It is vital for one's survival to know when to stay out of the markets,' says Zerodha's leader

18% GST on dining at 'specified premises' hotels: How it changes your bill

Hotels with room rents under Rs 7,500 in FY25 aren't 'specified premises' unless they opt in voluntarily

Expensive but innovative: IB schools offer an alternative learning arc

In a world that's rapidly shifting from rote to reasoning, the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme stands out as a different education system, valuing questioning over memorising