SberLife Insurance has begun selling Russia’s first equity-linked life insurance (DLC) product under its own license. The minimum investment threshold is just 1,000 rubles, with a projected annual return of 21.36% under a neutral scenario.

The law permitting life insurers to offer DLC products came into force on January 1, 2025. By January 9, SberLife Insurance had already obtained a license to manage investment funds, mutual funds (PIFs), and non-state pension funds (NPFs). On March 6, the company joined the NAUFOR registry, and on March 26, the Central Bank of Russia approved the trust management rules for SberLife Insurance’s mutual fund.

The company’s first DLC strategy carries low risk, with the portfolio evenly split (50/50) between money market instruments and bonds. A management fee (0.9% annually) and other fund expenses (up to 0.33% annually) are included in the unit price, with no additional fees for purchasing (surcharge) or redeeming (discount) units.

Ruslan Vesterovsky, Senior Vice President, Head of the Wealth Management Division at SberBank:
“DLC products benefit investors, attract long-term capital to the economy, and advance financial markets. With a low entry threshold—starting at just 1,000 rubles—DLC has strong potential to become a widely accessible program. We are now developing DLC under our own license. In the first half of the year, we plan to launch another open-ended mutual fund (OPIF), and in the second half, a range of new funds in partnership with a leading asset management company.”

Igor Kobzar, Vice President and CEO of SberLife Insurance:
“We are proud to be the first in the market to launch DLC under our own license. The introduction of equity-linked life insurance marks a milestone for the entire industry. Launching this product this year is particularly timely, given the current high market potential. I have become the first investor in SberLife Insurance’s DLC and plan to invest long-term. We are confident this product will be in demand, deliver strong returns, and provide clients with a positive ownership experience.”

The specialized depository for SberLife Insurance’s DLC product is INFINITUM, Russia’s largest depository and leader by market value of securities under custody.

DLC policies are now available at SberPremier offices and via the SberBank Online web platform. Portfolio performance, composition, and value are displayed in the personal account on SberLife Insurance’s website, with integration into SberBank Online planned for the future.