Why RD for PPF Yearly Funding is a Unsuitable Technique?

Many save in RD for subsequent yr’s PPF deposit, however this hurts returns. Right here’s why month-to-month PPF earlier than fifth is a wiser technique.

On the subject of Public Provident Fund (PPF), nearly each investor is aware of the golden rule—deposit your cash earlier than the fifth of the month to earn curiosity for that month.

Due to this, many individuals comply with a well-liked technique: they put cash right into a Recurring Deposit (RD) all year long, and within the subsequent April (between 1st and fifth), they switch the RD maturity to PPF as a lump sum.

At first look, this feels just like the “better of each worlds”: you earn curiosity from RD for the yr and nonetheless seize full-year curiosity in PPF. However is that this actually the neatest method to develop your cash?

The fact is RD for PPF yearly funding is definitely a unsuitable technique. By doing this, you might be dropping out on compounding and paying pointless taxes. Let’s perceive this step-by-step with numbers.

Why RD for PPF Yearly Funding is a Unsuitable Technique?

How PPF Curiosity Works

• Present PPF rate of interest = 7.1% (tax-free)
• Curiosity is calculated month-to-month on the bottom stability between fifth and month-end
• Credited yearly, however successfully compounding works yr after yr
• So should you make investments Rs.10,000 earlier than the fifth of each month, that installment earns curiosity for that month plus the remainder of the yr

In brief, the sooner you deposit every month, the extra months your cash earns tax-free curiosity.

How RD Works (and Why It Seems to be Enticing)

• Suppose you make investments Rs.10,000 monthly in a one-year RD.
• After a yr, the RD matures, and also you switch the maturity to PPF in April.
• On paper, it seems sensible as a result of:
  • You earn curiosity in RD for 12 months
  • You then earn PPF curiosity for a full yr (because you invested lump sum in April)

However right here’s what’s missed:

1. RD curiosity is totally taxable (added to your earnings, taxed at your slab charge).
   • In case you are within the 30% tax bracket, a 7.1% RD earns solely ~4.9% post-tax.
2. Misplaced compounding – Within the month-to-month PPF route, every installment earns tax-free compounding for 15 years. Within the RD route, your PPF compounding begins one yr later for every installment.

Present 1-12 months RD Charges (August 2025)

Even on the finest RD charges, post-tax returns are nowhere near PPF’s 7.1% tax-free return.

Actual Comparability: Month-to-month PPF vs RD ? PPF

Let’s assume:

• You wish to make investments Rs.1,20,000 per yr (Rs.10,000/month) for 15 years
• Possibility 1: Make investments month-to-month in PPF earlier than fifth of every month
• Possibility 2: Put money into RD, then switch yearly lump sum to PPF in April

Appropriate Simulation Outcomes

By the fifteenth yr, the distinction is Rs.35,000, though we assumed RD charge = PPF charge (7.1%). In actuality, since RD is taxable and normally decrease, the hole will likely be even larger.

Key Observations

1. Small leak turns into large loss – Yearly, you lose a bit of to RD taxation and delayed compounding. Over 15 years, this provides up.
2. Tax-free at all times wins – PPF’s tax-free curiosity makes it unbeatable in comparison with RD.
3. RD is pointless intermediary – As a substitute of RD, direct PPF month-to-month deposits give higher returns with out further steps.
4. Simplicity is the sting – With direct PPF, you don’t depend upon RD maturities or tax calculations.

Widespread FAQs

1. Is lump sum in April higher than month-to-month deposits?
Sure, if you have already got the complete cash obtainable in April, lump sum is right. However should you don’t, then month-to-month deposits earlier than fifth work finest.

2. What if my money movement doesn’t permit month-to-month deposits?
In case you can solely prepare funds month-to-month, simply deposit immediately into PPF as an alternative of RD. You earn tax-free compounding instantly.

3. Can RD nonetheless be helpful?
RD could be helpful for short-term targets or as a compelled saving software, however not for constructing a PPF corpus.

4. What if PPF charges change?
Charges might change quarterly, however each lump sum and month-to-month deposits get the prevailing charge. The benefit of avoiding RD taxation and beginning compounding early at all times stays.

Fable vs Actuality

• Fable 1: Lump sum in April is at all times higher.
  Solely true if you have already got money prepared. In case you don’t, month-to-month PPF earlier than fifth beats RD + lump sum.
• Fable 2: RD helps earn further returns earlier than PPF.
  False, as a result of RD curiosity is taxable and also you lose a yr of PPF compounding.
• Fable 3: Distinction is negligible.
  Over 15 years, the hole could be Rs.35,000–Rs.50,000 or extra, relying on tax bracket and RD charge.

Remaining Conclusion

At first, utilizing an RD to construct a yearly PPF corpus seems sensible. However whenever you think about taxation and misplaced compounding, the fact is evident:

RD for PPF yearly funding is a unsuitable technique.

If you wish to maximize your PPF returns:

• Deposit earlier than the fifth of each month, or
• If in case you have lump sum in April, deposit it instantly.

With this strategy, you:

• Earn greater, tax-free returns,
• Keep away from pointless RD taxation,
• Construct self-discipline and ease,
• And stroll away with a much bigger maturity corpus.

In private finance, typically the neatest technique is the best one. For PPF, that technique is direct month-to-month deposits earlier than fifth—not RD detours.

Discuss with all our earlier posts associated to PPF-related articles right here – EPF and PPF