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LoansJagat Team

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05 Jun 2025

How to Surrender LIC Policy – Step-by-Step Guide

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Ravi from Pune bought a Life Insurance Corporation of India policy at age 25, paying ₹18,000 annually for 15 years. That’s a total investment of ₹2,70,000. Now at 40, he is launching his dream café and needs quick cash to cover an ₹8,00,000 setup cost. His brain sparks with a question: how to surrender LIC policy and recover part of his investment?

 

Sounds relatable? Millions of Indians invest in policies for future security. But life happens. Whether it is chasing entrepreneurial dreams, managing an emergency, or shifting to smarter investments, understanding how to surrender LIC policy becomes crucial.

 

So chalo, let’s decode this money move.


“Jab paisa tight ho, toh LIC policy surrender karna banaye kaam easy bro!”

 

This blog serves sizzling real-life examples, simplified surrender steps, accurate math, Hindi punchlines, and legit links from LIC. Let us roll!

 

What Does Surrendering an LIC Policy Mean?

 

When someone surrenders a policy, they voluntarily terminate it before maturity. In return, they receive a certain amount called the surrender value. The moment a policy is surrendered, all benefits, bonuses, and future cover end.

 

Now the real question: how to surrender LIC policy without regrets or financial loss?

 

"Jab paisa chahiye turant, LIC surrender hai sabse brilliant!"

 

Eligibility: When Can One Surrender the Policy?

 

Not every policy can be surrendered instantly. There are conditions:

 

Here is a table for clarity:

 

Policy Type

Minimum Premium Payment Tenure

Surrender Allowed After

Traditional Endowment

3 years

After 3 years

Term Insurance

Not eligible

Not Applicable

Unit Linked Insurance

Depends on terms

Usually 5 years

 

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Surrender LIC Policy

 

If someone is wondering how to surrender their LIC policy today, here is exactly what to do:

 

  1. Visit the Home Branch:
     

     One must surrender the policy at the same branch from where it was issued.

  2. Fill Out the Surrender Form:
     

     This is Form No. 5074. It can be downloaded from the official LIC India website.

  3. Attach Required Documents:

    • Original policy bond

    • Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card

    • Canceled cheque

    • Recent passport-size photograph

  4. Submit and Wait:
     Once submitted, LIC usually processes the surrender in 7 to 10 working days.

"Policy ka game over, paisa milega sober!"

 

Real-Life Case Study: Priya’s Surrender Success Story

 

Priya, a 32-year-old from Delhi, had a twenty-year endowment policy. She had been paying an annual premium of 25,000 rupees for 8 years.

 

She wanted to invest in mutual funds instead, so she enquired how to surrender LIC policy.

 

Let us do her math:

 

  • Total Premiums Paid: 25,000 x 8 = 2,00,000 rupees

  • Guaranteed Surrender Value (usually 30% of total premiums, excluding the  first year):


 30% of (2,00,000 - 25,000) = 52,500 rupees

  • Special Surrender Value (varies but generally higher, say 70% of maturity value):
     

    Suppose her maturity value was 2,80,000 rupees.
     

     70% of 2,80,000 = 1,96,000 rupees

She got 1,96,000 rupees, as the higher amount is paid when both values are compared.

 

Types of Surrender Values: Know the Maths

 

There are two central surrender values:

 

Surrender Type

Description

Guaranteed Surrender Value

Fixed percentage of premiums paid (excluding first-year premium)

Special Surrender Value

Based on policy duration, sum assured, and bonuses; generally higher

 

The Special Surrender Value formula is:

 

(Sum Assured + Vested Bonus) x Surrender Value Factor / 100

 

Surrender Value Factors are available at branches or can be estimated through the LIC Customer Portal.

 

"Tension na le bhai, LIC policy ki value tu nikaal hi layi!"

 

Where to Submit the Request

 

While surrendering online is not fully available for all policies yet, LIC allows booking appointments and downloading forms online at https://licindia.in.

 

Physical submission must happen at the branch. The online portal helps in:

 

  • Tracking policy status

  • Downloading surrender forms

  • Booking branch visits

Example: How Rahul Lost Out by Delaying the Surrender

 

Rahul had a money-back plan for 10 years. He completed 6 years of premiums but delayed surrendering until the 8th year.

 

Due to policy clauses, the surrender value is reduced after the 7th year because of payouts already received.

 

He finally received only 60,000 rupees from a plan that could have returned 90,000.

 

Moral of the story: Time your surrender wisely.

 

Important questions Around How to Surrender LIC Policy

 

  1. Is there a penalty for early surrender?
     Yes. The first-year premium is excluded and bonuses may be reduced.

  2. Will tax benefits be reversed?
     If surrendered before 5 years, the tax benefits claimed under Section 80C get reversed.

  3. Is surrender better than taking a loan against policy?
    Depends on urgency. A loan is less loss-making but involves interest payments.

How Does Surrender Impact Future Insurance Planning?

 

Once a policy is surrendered, all benefits and cover vanish.

 

Surrendering multiple policies can affect the proposer’s credibility with insurance underwriters.

 

Hence, experts suggest thinking twice, or considering a paid-up option.

 

Option

Impact

Surrender

Immediate funds, but total policy ends

Paid-up

No premiums paid further, benefits reduced

Loan

Get money, keep policy active

 

"Bina soch samjhe policy na chhodo, paisa kam milega aur regret zyada hoga!"

 

Do’s and Don’ts When Planning to Surrender

 

Do’s

Don’ts

Calculate both surrender values

Panic-surrender during market lows

Confirm if bonuses are included

Ignore the tax implications

Inform family members if policy was for their benefit

Misplace the original bond

 

Example: Ankit Chose Paid-up Instead of Surrender

 

Ankit had paid five premiums of 15,000 rupees on a 20-year policy. Instead of surrendering, he made it a paid-up plan.

 

He will now receive a reduced maturity benefit instead of getting a small surrender amount.

His surrender value was 45,000 rupees. Paid-up value is 75,000 rupees; he just needs to wait for maturity.

 

Also Read - How to Pay LIC Premium Online – Step-by-Step Guide

 

Final Words: Should You Surrender or Not?

 

The answer to how to surrender LIC policy lies in first asking, Should I surrender it at all?

If the reason is temporary, consider a loan. If it is permanent, do the math. The decision should never be emotional.

 

Use tools on https://licindia.in to help make a rational call.

 

"Soch samajh kar uthao kadam, LIC policy surrender nahi hai ek chhoti si karam!"

 

Conclusion: Be Smart, Not Sorry

 

Surrendering a Life Insurance Corporation of India policy is not complicated, but it must be done wisely.

One should always know how to surrender LIC policy and the financial implications involved.

 

It is not about quick money. It is about smart decisions.

 

Ask questions. Run numbers. Consult advisors. And only then proceed.

 

Now that you know how to surrender LIC policy, do not forget to share this guide with your friends.

 

Someone out there is probably wondering the same thing Ravi, Priya, Rahul, and Ankit once did.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. Can I surrender my LIC policy online?
 No, complete surrender must be done at the LIC home branch. However, you can download forms and book appointments through the LIC Customer Portal.

 

2. What happens if I surrender my LIC policy before three years?
 If you surrender before completing three years of premium payments, you will not receive any surrender value.

 

3. How long does it take to receive the surrender amount?
 Once the surrender request is accepted and all documents are verified, the amount is usually credited within 7 to 10 working days.

 

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LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?

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