Page 7 - Your Money

GST exemption on life, health policies: Lock in lower term premiums now

Enhance sum insured on base health policy, buy add-on cover

Dividend yield funds seen as stable option for sound risk-adjusted returns

These funds may underperform growth funds and lag during bull runs

Hold-to-maturity investors may choose G-Secs with matching horizon

Those who may need liquidity before end of tenor should avoid them

Expensively priced IPOs: Valuations must be justified by growth visibility

If the company has strong fundamentals but is valued expensively, invest for long term or reconsider after six months

UPS to NPS: Opt for NPS if service tenure is long and volatility manageable

Those who have a low risk appetite, prefer predictability, or are approaching retirement should stick to UPS

Invest to boost portfolio resilience amid current bout of uncertainty

These funds could, however, underperform during bull runs when the crowd chases speculative bets

Investing in microcaps: Limit exposure to 5-10%, enter with 5-7-yr horizon

High volatility, low liquidity, and corporate governance are risks investors need to be prepared for

NRIs face residency test upon India return, must stick to 182-day rule

Given the lack of legal clarity in India around status, assuming they are residents immediately after return could invite penalties and prosecution

Credit report: Check quarterly to spot repayment lapses, errors, and fraud

In case of inaccuracies and fraud, report both to the lender and credit bureaus

Liquid funds: Check long-term ratings for clearer view of portfolio quality

Assess the track record of the fund during past liquidity incidents

Earnings recovery can revive value funds, invest with 5-year horizon

Allocation to these funds is essential for style diversity within portfolio

REITs promise stable income, but investors must brace for volatility

REITs invest mostly in offices and malls and are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)

Term insurance plans for NRIs: Ensure policy offers global coverage

Verify insurer's claim settlement ratio, review sum insured limits, and check if medical examination can be done over video

Gold scales new peak; existing investors should book partial profits

New ones should stagger purchases to avoid timing risk

Home insurance claims: Begin repairs only after surveyor's inspection

Non-disclosure of property extensions, late intimation, and incomplete paperwork may reduce or void claims

Treasury bills: Use SIP to smooth rate volatility, invest steadily

Investors with regular income, short-term goals, and a strong need for capital preservation may go for T-Bills

Want expert to decide fund picks, allocation, rebalancing? Go for FoF

Remember that these funds come with a double layer of expenses

Special Opportunities Funds: For seasoned investors open to higher risks

Suitable for seasoned investors willing to take higher risks

Lender loses property documents: Apply to sub-registrar for title copies

Before you can do so, the bank must issue a non-traceable certificate, file an FIR, and publish a public notice in newspapers on your behalf

Crypto security: Keep assets in self-custody, use insured exchange

Those holding crypto keys in a cold wallet must store seed phrases offline in a secure location