Difference of Sukanya Samriddhi Account Vs PPF (With Tax Benefits)

Recently Government launched a girl child scheme called Sukanya Samriddhi Account and I have already written about this in my earlier post. When you compare this scheme with PPF, many features look similar with slight changes. So in this post let us discuss about this (including the tax benefit of Sukanya Samriddhi Account under Sec.80 C)

In the below table, I simplified the features.

 

So now, you can see the difference along with that what may be the negative points of this scheme over PPF. The major drawbacks over PPF are listed as below.

Tenure-This account has a tenure of 21 years with contributing term as 14 years. Whereas, PPF offers 15 year tenure where you can contribute for 15 years too.

Interest Rate-Currently Sukanya Samriddhi Account offers a higher interest rate at 9.1% whereas PPF at 8.7%. However, the big question is, whether the next Governments offer the same lucrative interest rate? I doubt it.

Interest rate of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme for 2015-16 will be 9.2% and whereas for PPF it remained 8.7%.

Tax Benefits-Sukanya Samriddhi Account and PPF offers EEE type of tax benefits. It means while investing, you get the tax benefit under Sec.80 C. Interest earned is tax free (According to Budget 2015) and maturity benefit is tax-free. So both plan offers EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt).

Liquidity-This account is less liquid than PPF. Because you cannot withdraw until girl attains the age of 18 years.

Investment option-This account does not offer online investment facilities. Whereas you can operate PPF account online.

So overall, when you compare this product with PPF, you notice that apart from the interest rate and specific to girl, none of the features holds good with PPF. Hence, my view is that PPF holds well than this account.

You can opt the account if you are totally risk averse and still believe in traditional products for the sake of safety and ready to invest higher amounts than going by equity-oriented mutual funds. This plan best suites for those who feel the risk free return (remember in this scheme interest rate changes yearly and interest earned is taxed) and offers more return than typical child insurance plans.

BasuNivesh

View Comments

  • Hi Sir,

    Its regarding Sukanya Samriddhi Account , I just wanted to know if i opening the account in SSA for the interest rate 8.1 percent and if the interest rate goes down or up next year , is that applicable
    For my account too. Or the interest rate when I opened was maintain forever. Please clarify.

  • Hello Bsasvaraj,

    Is it worth to invest 5000 every month in SSY scheme rather then repaying home loan with additional EMI amount or invest in mutual funds.

    I am little confused on this. How to invest 5000 rupees every month. Please list few options like (SSY, PPF, Mutual Funds, Etc.,) I am paying 40000 (Fourty Thousand) towards my home loan and like to double or make it 150% from Jan-2017, with this, planning to reserve enough money for child's education expense.

    • Prakash-Why you want to invest? Child education right? Whether you can avoid both EMI and Child Future? NO...Then the only option is to manage BOTH the things are MUST for you. If you have any surplus beyond that, then think for funding of early closure of loan. Again, for kid's future, you have to allocate the debt:equity in a ratio based on timeframe of a goal. Refer my post "Top 10 Best SIP Mutual Funds to invest in India in 2017".

  • If I deposit 1 lck in My ppf account and same in 2 new ac of SSA for My 2 daughters, then total investment will be 3 lck per annum,
    Can I do like this?
    Tax benifit total will be 1.5 lck but can I invest 3 lck or more in such way?
    Please suggest

    • Satish-Yes, you can invest. But do you feel investing yearly Rs.3 lakh in such schemes for your long term goals is wise?

      • Yes sir, if the scheme dont change in future, it looks better then any other ,
        So I want to do such way.
        In this way I ll get income tax rebate u/s 80 c will b 3.0 lck or only 1.5lck

  • When to invest to get the maximum returns out the investment in SSA.
    If I open account in May 1-5 ,how much will I loose on the benefits if the same I would have opened in 1-5 April.
    In case I want to put lump sump when should I inject in the PPF and SSA ?

  • Hi, Sir, can you suggest me is the SSY is really good or not? why I am thinking this because if we started this account however we have to follow the T&C of respective account, but there is no possibilities are found that Modiji's government can rule this country up to maturity of our accounts. the next coming government can made lot of change either they good means favour of SSY OR REVERSE?

  • Hello Sir,

    What is the time frame for deposition of money maximum to 150000 to avail the interest in Sukanya Samridhi Yojna.
    It is Yearly (from January to December) or it as per financial year i.e. from April to March.

    Thanking you in advance sir.

  • Hi,

    My girld child age is 1 and 1/2 months, I am planning to have a SSY and another LIC policy. Can you suggest, is it good way to secure her life. Or else if you suggest further will help to plan for her future.

    Thanks
    Biplab

    • Biplab-Avoid both and start investing in equity oriented mutual funds and also buy pure term plan to cover your life.

      • Can you please elaborate about term plan, is it like LIC Endowment Plan (Table No. 830) or anything else

        • Biplab-Term plans are pure life insurance products, where your nominee get the amount which is equal to sum assured in case of your untimely death. However, if you survive till policy period, then they will not give any money.

  • IF ANY EMPLOYEES HAVING MORE THAN 15000 SALARY THEN HOW MUCH THE CONTRIBUTION OF EPF PLEASE

    • Mohan-It is 12% only. But your employer may restrict his or her own contribution to 12% of Rs.15,000 or 12% of actual salary.

  • As far as i understand in PPF account for any individual / individual +children below 18 -maximum total investments all put together allowed is 150000 only per Financial Year . Pl inform if in Sukanya Samridhi Scheme - for 2 Girl child can investments by one parent can be individual 150000 per girl child per Financial Year or total of 150000 for 2 girl children - Is there any such restriction ? Pl also inform if amount investment has to be uniform every year or can it vary. Pl also inform if both parents can open separate accounts for girl child or only 1 parent can open for same girl child. ( My query has no links with 80-C )

    • Makhanlal-Your understanding about PPF is correct. But regarding Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, the same rule applies. As of now, there is no such clarity on this.

  • I have a PPF account in my name and I plan to open PPF/ sukanya smridhhi in my daughter's name. If I open a PPF in my daughter's name, can I invest 1,5 lac each (total 3 lac investment) in these two PPF accounts (I will claim only 1.5 lac u/s 80C)?

    If there is a ceiling of 1.5 lac on all PPFs maintained, will opening a sukanya smridhhi account allow me to make a total invesent of 3 lacs (1.5 each in my PPF and daughter's sukanya smridhhi)? I will still claim only 1.5 lac u/s 80C.

    • Partly because I am lazy and partly because I am conventional, I feel comfortable with SSA. With this account, I don't have to worry about monitoring the stock market. I can afford to set aside 1.5 lac a year and forget about it (for 21 years). Also it gives me flexibility to adjust contribution amount as per my affordability.

      I prefer to go in for lesser but secure return viz a viz high return in a risky investment portfolio. Thanks anyways for your kind response and suggestion. Do let me know if there is a product which you feel would suit a lazy and conventional investor like me.

      • VB-SECURED? What is secured in PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi Account? Interest rate risk is always there in these two products. Along with that a fully illiquid product.

          • PC-Yes, but political gimmick attached with this scheme may not harm until this NDA Govt in power. Later on, only GOD can protect the investors.

        • You have a point there. What would you suggest in my situation? Something that has more liquidity, less monitoring, decent return and less complicated Income Tax filing at the end of the year. Do you also offer paid investment guidance service?

          • VB-Nothing comes easily. That applies to your investment. You work hard to earn money. But if you not work hard to manage that then someone will sell you few dummy products and you may blindly invest. You have to work to monitor your money. It does not mean that you must monitor on daily base. But the active participation is must. Otherwise no use of your EARNED MONEY. The simplest way of earning SOMETHING is keeping money in savings account. I am not degrading your thoughts. But making you anger and my only intention is to make you LEARN...LEARN and LEARN.

    • VB-The maximum amount you can invest in PPF (including your own and kid's account where you are guardian) is Rs.1,50,000. However, you can do so in Sukanya Samriddhi Account. But the maximum you can claim under Sec.80C is Rs.1.5 Lakh only. Also, do you feel investing so much aggressively into PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi Account really help your kid's future expenses? Think and decide.

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BasuNivesh

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