Public Provident Fund (PPF) accounts for minors can be a great way to save and invest money for a child before he or she turns 18. PPF offers many benefits of long-term investments along with tax benefits, which makes it one of the most ideal investments for adults and minors.
Moreover, the PPF scheme has the backing of the Central Government. Hence, your money remains safe. If you want to open a PPF account for a minor, then do read this blog, as it takes a deep dive into this topic.
What is a PPF Account for Minors?
When a parent or a legal guardian opens a public provident fund (PPF) account in the name of a minor, it is called a PPF account for a minor. PPF is a long-term savings and investment scheme, which is backed by the Government of India.
PPF accounts offer several benefits. For example, they offer tax deductions up to a certain limit. Besides, PPF investments have a lock-in period of 15 years. As a result, an investor cannot withdraw funds before the completion of 15 years, which helps him reap the benefits of compounding his interest income.
By starting a PPF account for a minor, a parent or a guardian can help create a sizeable fund before the minor turns 18, thereby providing him with a solid financial base.
What is the Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme?
The PPF scheme is one of the most popular investment avenues in India. It is backed by the Government and offers several benefits. The interest and maturity amount of a PPF account are tax-free. Besides, when you contribute an amount to a PPF account, it is tax-deductible up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Moreover, the PPF scheme offers a decent interest rate. Plus, it has a lock-in period of 15 years. A combination of tax benefits, decent interest rates, and a lock-in period of 15 years, can help an investor earn significant returns on his investment over a long period of time. This is why several investors contribute to their PPF accounts every year.
Key Purpose of a PPF Account for a Minor
The main objective of a PPF account for a minor is to build a sizable corpus for him by the time he turns 18. If a parent or a guardian regularly contributes to a minor’s PPF account, it can become a big amount by the time the minor becomes an adult, which can be used for his education, marriage, or any other purpose. More importantly, it will give him a solid financial base to build a successful adult life.
PPF Age Limit for Minors
Anyone less than 18 can have a PPF account in his or her name, provided it is managed by a parent or a guardian until the minor turns 18. Hence, there is no age limit for opening a PPF account for a minor.
Rules and Eligibility for a PPF Account for Minors
If you want to open a PPF account for a minor, here are the rules you must keep in mind:
You have to be an Indian resident to apply and open a PPF in the name of a minor.
A minor’s PPF account can be opened by his mother or father. However, the father and the mother both cannot open an account. Only one of them can do that.
If both the parents are deceased, a legally appointed guardian can open a minor’s PPF account.
A nominee has to be registered for a minor’s PPF account.
A minor can have only one PPF account in his name. Hence, you cannot open multiple PPF accounts in a minor’s name.
Documents Needed to Open PPF Account for Minors
The following documents are required to open a PPF account in the name of a minor:
- A guardian must provide his details and those of a minor in an account opening form.
- A guardian has to provide these KYC documents: Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Passport, and Driving License.
- An age proof of the minor has to be provided, which can be a Birth Certificate or an Aadhar Card.
- Photographs of a guardian.
- A cheque of ₹ 500 or more for the initial contribution towards a PPF account.
Steps to Open a PPF Account for Minors
- A guardian should visit a post office or a designated bank to open a PPF account for a minor.
- There, he needs to get a PPF account opening form and fill it up by providing his and the minor’s details.
- With the form, he has to provide the necessary documents, which are listed above.
Things to Know Before Opening a Minor's PPF Account
Please keep the following things in mind while opening a PPF account for a minor:
- he minimum initial amount is ₹ 500 to open a minor’s PPF account. The maximum amount you can deposit in such an account is ₹ 1.5 lakh.
- A parent or a guardian can claim tax benefits for the amount he deposits in a minor’s PPF account under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
- On turning 18, a minor’s PPF account has to be transferred from his guardian. For this purpose, an application needs to be submitted with required documents and the signature of the just become adult (who was a minor) along with approval from the guardian who had opened the PPF account.
- A minor’s PPF account can be closed prematurely to meet his higher education expenses.
- Such a PPF account can be closed after 5 years only if the money is needed for the medical needs of the account holder.
Final Thoughts
Needless to say, a PPF account for a minor is a great way to save and invest for a child’s future. Before opening a minor’s PPF account, you should use PPF calculators, which are available online. Such tools can help you estimate the growth of your PPF investments over time.
Meanwhile, you must bear in mind that a PPF account is not the only way to save for a child. If you can invest for a couple of decades, then you can also consider investing in equity-oriented mutual funds for a child. However, equity mutual funds are a riskier investment option than PPF.
Hence, the decision to start a PPF account for a minor depends upon your objective, the time horizon of investment, and your risk-taking ability.