SIP vs PPF with Rs 1,45,000/year investment: Which can generate a higher corpus in 25 years?

SIP is a way of investing a fixed amount in mutual funds. Individuals can invest daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly in mutual funds.

Public Provident Fund is a government-backed retirement scheme that is eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. 

The minimum amount to invest in every mutual fund varies. Thus, there is no definite minimum investment amount, but some funds offer a minimum investment amount as small as Rs 100.

The minimum deposit in a year is Rs 500, whereas the maximum limit is Rs 1.5 lakh.

Investors select a mutual fund that aligns with their investment goals and risk tolerance.  Once a scheme is chosen, an SIP is set up with a specific investment amount and frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly).  The agreed-upon SIP amount is automatically deducted from the investor's bank account at the pre-defined intervals.  The deducted amount is invested by the fund manager in the chosen mutual fund scheme, resulting in a specific number of units (or shares) being allocated to the investor.  The value of these units increases as the fund's Net Asset Value (NAV) increases, leading to growth in the investor's SIP investment over time.  Investors can choose to withdraw their accumulated wealth at the end of the SIP tenure or at periodic intervals.

You can start with a minimum deposit of Rs 500 per year.  Maximum Deposit: The maximum annual deposit limit is Rs 1.5 lakh.  Flexibility: You can deposit in a lump sum or installments. Tax Benefits: Deposits are tax-deductible under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. 

Currently Public Provident Fund is offering an interest rate of 7.1 per cent.

Since there are no fixed returns in SIP investment, we are calculating as per annualised returns of 8 per cent (debt fund), 10 per cent (equity fund), and 12 per cent (hybrid fund).

Yearly investment: Rs 1,45,000 (monthly investment Rs 12,083x 12 months) Time period: 25 years Rate of interest: 7.1 per cent 

On a Rs 1,45,000/year investment, the retirement corpus in 25 years will be Rs 99,64,414. The estimated total interest during that time will be Rs 63,39,414, and the invested amount during that time will be Rs 36,25,000. 

Since there are no fixed returns in SIP investment, we are calculating as per annualised returns of 8 per cent (debt fund), 10 per cent (equity fund), and 12 per cent (hybrid fund). We're also assuming a monthly investment of Rs 12,083(1,45,000/12)

At 12 per cent annualised growth, the estimated corpus in 25 years will be Rs 2,05,67,762. During that time, the invested amount will be Rs 36,24,900, and estimated capital gains will be Rs 1,69,42,862.

At 10 per cent annualised growth, the estimated corpus in 25 years will be Rs 1,50,21,098. The estimated capital gains will be Rs 1,13,96,198.

At 8 per cent annualised growth, the estimated corpus in 25 years will be Rs 1,10,54,005. The estimated capital gains will be Rs 74,29,105.