The year 2020 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as the COVID-19 pandemic raced through the world. Many aspects of life as we knew it were turned on its head. As nations grapple with the devastation, uncertainty and pain the pandemic has caused, we are all united in recognizing that planning for an uncertain future is an imperative.

The one thing the pandemic has taught us at PNB MetLife is that being prepared with adequate resources and the wherewithal to access medical help when it is required is vital. Through the course of the year, we have all heard stories and anecdotes of Indians being stranded around the world without the means and funds to access quality medical assistance.

Indians not saving enough

Most people follow a tried and tested route of saving for the future and ensuring that our loved ones have the funds and resources needed to overcome adversities. However, despite this tradition being passed on from parents to children, a majority of Indians still feel that they are not saving enough to keep up with rising costs. According to several reports and analysts, while India's cost of living is increasing marginally, anticipated developments in urban transportation, quality healthcare, higher food prices, increasing consumerism, and changing lifestyle patterns are expected to impact the cost of living in India in the next decade.

As Indians demand better healthcare and increased access to basic goods and services, the inflation rate is only expected to rise, and may outstrip savings interest rates. Despite practicing a healthy savings culture, planning the future on savings alone may not be enough in 2030 or 2040.

The need for security and normalcy

As we look for some security and normalcy in a world that is changing rapidly, grappling with modernization, infectious diseases and fast-moving technology, the need to secure our future as well as those of our dependents becomes an imperative for most of us. As our view of life changes, merely saving for the future is no longer sufficient.

Having enough to pay for medical emergencies, enjoy and manage retirement, provide for our children, and care for our parents and elders becomes a challenge when the interest on our savings is not keeping up with the nation's cost of living and inflation rates. A term insurance plan, especially 1 crore term insurance plans, may be the most viable and intelligent option for Indians looking to consolidate their financial position for the future.

1 Crore Term Insurance - A plan for Indians

A 1 cr term plan is designed not only to provide for the potential and inevitable medical expenses in old age, but also for leaving behind a legacy for our children and enabling a comfortable and dignified retirement.

While it is a protection plan for when emergency strikes, 1 cr term insurance also ensures that our dependents get a leg up and the opportunity to benefit from the financial leverage a term plan provides. 1 cr term insurance with appropriate health rider is a comprehensive protection plan for effective financial cover of medical emergencies.

Imagine as you approach the final years of your career, you have not only been adequately covered for any medical emergencies, but you have also covered your spouse, provided for your children's education, and stand to cash out 1 crore at the end of the policy term as a retirement benefit. You not only fulfill your duties as a parent, child or family member, but you also ultimately help to free yourself from the financial concerns that plague many Indians in old age.

Make a smart plan, ahead of time

According to various surveys, most Indians across the country feel that they do not have adequate funds for their retirement. As a result, they are dependent on their children, siblings and younger relatives. A combination of not being able to save enough to keep up with rising costs, and growing expectations of children seeking more independence, career-focused Indians today may not have adequate funds for a comfortable retirement that includes the resources for comprehensive medical coverage.

The best term plan for 1 cr has flexibility built into it to address people's unique needs and includes a solid medical cover in terms of health rider that ensures peace of mind as you navigate life, career and family milestones. Talk to a financial advisor about how a 1 cr term plan may suit your needs and lifestyle.

Visit PNB MetLife to know more about life insurance, Long Term Savings and more.