As a parent, you want the best for your daughter. You want her to be happy, healthy, educated, and successful. But how do you ensure she has a bright and secure financial future? How do you plan for her education and marriage and teach her the value of money, saving, and investing?
Today, we will share some investment avenues for your daughter’s future in India. These are not the only options available but some of the most popular and beneficial ones.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government scheme that allows you to open a savings account for your daughter when she is below 10. You can deposit up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year, and earn an attractive interest rate of 8.2% per annum.
The interest is compounded annually and is tax-free. The account matures when your daughter turns 21 or gets married, whichever is earlier. You can withdraw up to 50% of the balance for her education when she turns 18. The SSY account is a great way to save for your daughter’s education and marriage and enjoy tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Another long-term investment option that you can use for your daughter’s future is the Public Provident Fund (PPF). This government-backed scheme allows you to open an account in any post office or bank. You can invest up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year in this account, and earn a fixed interest rate of 7.1% per annum. The interest is compounded annually and is tax-free.
The account has a lock-in period of 15 years, which can be extended for another 5 years. You can withdraw up to 50% of the balance after 7 years or take a loan against it. The PPF account is a safe and secure investment option that can help you build a corpus for your daughter’s future needs and save tax under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
SIP and SEP
If you are looking for higher returns and are willing to take some risk, you can invest in mutual funds for your daughter’s future; a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) and a Systematic Equity Plan (SEP) are something you can start with. As their names suggest, they both systematically invest your money by deducting an amount from your bank and investing it monthly. SIPs invest in Mutual funds, while SEPs invest in equity directly.
Money in SIPs grows slowly with a reasonable interest rate. Currently, the average growth rate is 18%, so if you start with an SIP of Rs 10,000. In 15 years, you would have saved Rs 18 lakhs, considering 18% annual growth, and that money will compound to Rs 91 lakhs. That amount of money will be more than enough for all your child’s needs. To understand and learn how to safeguard them, you must check out our blog on How to Secure Your Child’s Future with Strategic Financial Planning.
Illustration of
| Returns on SEP if the expected growth rate is 22% | |||||
| Year | Amount Invested | Amount in Portfolio | Growth rate | Profits | Total Revenue |
| 1 | 120000 | 120000 | 22% | 26400 | 146400 |
| 2 | 240000 | 386400 | 22% | 85008 | 471408 |
| 3 | 360000 | 591408 | 22% | 130109.76 | 721517.76 |
| 4 | 480000 | 841517.76 | 22% | 185133.9072 | 1026651.667 |
| 5 | 600000 | 1146651.667 | 22% | 252263.3668 | 1398915.034 |
| 6 | 720000 | 1518915.034 | 22% | 334161.3075 | 1853076.341 |
| 7 | 840000 | 1973076.341 | 22% | 434076.7951 | 2407153.137 |
| 8 | 960000 | 2527153.137 | 22% | 555973.69 | 3083126.827 |
| 9 | 1080000 | 3203126.827 | 22% | 704687.9019 | 3907814.728 |
| 10 | 1200000 | 4027814.728 | 22% | 886119.2403 | 4913933.969 |
| 11 | 1320000 | 5033933.969 | 22% | 1107465.473 | 6141399.442 |
| 12 | 1440000 | 6261399.442 | 22% | 1377507.877 | 7638907.319 |
| 13 | 1560000 | 7758907.319 | 22% | 1706959.61 | 9465866.929 |
| 14 | 1680000 | 9585866.929 | 22% | 2108890.724 | 11694757.65 |
| 15 | 1800000 | 11814757.65 | 22% | 2599246.684 | 14414004.34 |
While SIPs give good returns, they may not be as high as SEP. Usually, mutual funds grow steadily, but equity grows multifolds. For example, Tata Steel has grown 22% annually for years (1st March 2024). At this rate, your Rs 10,000 SEP would make Rs 1.40 crores in 15 years. The profit rates are high on SEPs, but it has an even higher risk. Hence, it is always suggested that you get the help of a financial advisor before you start investing in SEPs.
Gold
Gold is a traditional and popular investment option for your daughter’s future in India. It’s not just an investment but a shagun, and has more emotional value than its monetary value. Gold is considered a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness and is often gifted to daughters on occasions like birth, birthday, graduation, and marriage. Gold is also a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations and can provide stability and diversification to your portfolio.
Fixed Deposits (FDs)
It is another safe and simple investment option for your daughter’s future. FDs are deposits you make for a fixed period, ranging from 7 days to 10 years. You earn a fixed interest rate on your deposit, which is usually higher than the savings account interest rate but not as high as things discussed above. However, FDs are not tax-efficient, as the interest earned is added to your income and taxed as per your slab rate. You can also incur a penalty if you withdraw your FD before maturity.
Conclusion
These are some of the best investment options for your daughter’s future in India. However, you should not limit yourself to these options; explore other avenues, such as insurance, bonds, stocks, etc. Investing early, investing regularly, diversifying your portfolio, and monitoring your performance is key. By doing so, you can empower your daughter’s future and make her financially secure and independent.
*Disclaimer Note: The securities quoted, if any, are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. This article is for education purposes only and shall not be considered as recommendation or investment advice by Research & Ranking. We will not be liable for any losses that may occur. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL, and certification from NISM in no way guarantee the performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.
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FAQs
How much can I invest in SSY per year?
You can invest from Rs. 250 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year in SSY. The interest rate is 8.2% per annum and is tax-free.
What are the tax benefits of PPF?
You can invest up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year in PPF and get a deduction under Section 80C. The interest rate is 7.1% per annum and is tax-free. The maturity amount is also tax-free.
What are the pros and cons of SIP and SEP?
SIP and SEP are regular and disciplined ways to invest in mutual funds or equity. They offer high returns, diversification, and compounding. However, they also involve risk, volatility, and charges.
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.