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VPF vs PPF

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If there is one thing that is inarguably true about retirement planning, it is that the sooner you begin the process, the better off you are likely to be in achieving your retirement and post retirement financial goals. Since there is a wide array of diversified investment options to choose from, retirement planning can be done in a planned and strategic manner.

While the existence of several investment avenues holds its advantages, it is not without its cons; it can be difficult to determine which option/s to select for your retirement plan. Two of the most prominent investment avenues in India that can serve as excellent additions to your retirement plan are the Public Provident Fund or PPF and Voluntary Provident Fund or VPF. Both the schemes have a plethora of benefits which you must peruse to gauge them as worthy additions to your retirement plan. In this article, we shall discuss these schemes, their eligibility criteria, maturity period, subscription ceilings, and help you settle the VPF vs PPF debate.

Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)

Before delving into PPF vs VPF, let us understand how both the schemes work. Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) is a part of the Employees' Provident Fund scheme which is a savings and retirement programme launched and backed by the government of India. All organisations with more than 20 employees have to open EPF accounts for them, and contribute 12% of their respective monthly salaries (basic pay plus dearness allowance) into their EPF accounts. For instance, X works in organisation ABC, and has a monthly basic pay plus dearness allowance of ₹30,000. His employer would have to contribute ₹3,600 to his EPF account every month.

In addition to employers, employees also have to contribute a minimum of 12% of their salary (basic pay plus DA) to their EPF account every month. They can choose to increase this contribution and that is where the Voluntary Provident Fund comes into the picture. As its name suggests, VPF is a scheme through which employees can enhance their contribution to their EPF account. All they have to do is complete the required formalities with their employer, and initiate the VPF deductions which shall be credited to their existing EPF accounts.

The interest rate for EPF and VPF are determined each year by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. VPF interest rate for FY 2024-25 was 8.25% per annum. Interest is computed on the opening balance in the account every month, and credited at the end of the fiscal.

Eligibility requirements for VPF

In order to enrol in the Voluntary Provident Fund scheme, a person has to be a salaried employee in an organisation in India. Although it is mandatory for organisations with more than 20 employees to open EPF accounts for each, even organisations with fewer employees can enrol in the scheme. Contributions made to the VPF are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (up to ₹1,50,000). The interest earned on VPF contributions and the maturity proceeds are also tax exempt. However, it is always prudent to check the tax laws for VPF and EPF for the pertinent fiscal.

Contributions to the Voluntary Provident Fund

An employee can contribute as much as 100% of their salary (basic salary and DA) to their Voluntary Provident Fund account. Hence there is no upper limit for VPF contributions. The proportion of VPF contributions can be changed at the beginning of each financial year (if required by the concerned employee).

VPF maturity period

Let us discuss the maturity period for investments made into Voluntary Provident Fund. Since VPF contributions are made into an individual's EPF account, they mature in the event of retirement, resignation, or premature withdrawal (in specific circumstances). Should an employee wish to transfer their EPF account to a new employer, they can follow the due process for the same. When it comes to VPF vs PPF in terms of maturity period, a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account has a maturity period of 15 years with partial withdrawals allowed (under specific circumstances) after seven years.

Tax considerations for Voluntary Provident Fund

The taxability of the contributions made to the Voluntary Provident Fund is contingent upon the tax laws declared for a specific fiscal. Employees can claim tax deductions to the tune of ₹1.5 lakhs for contributions made to the EPF (including VPF contributions). Furthermore, the interest earned on VPF contributions is tax exempt as are the maturity proceeds.

Public Provident Fund

Let us now turn our attention to the Public Provident Fund. Counted amongst the most popular savings schemes in India, the Public Provident Fund or PPF is backed by the government of India. PPF is renowned for its safety, significant returns, and tax benefits. Any citizen of India can open a PPF account and start contributing into the scheme; this is an important point in the PPF vs VPF discussion since the latter is only accessible to salaried individuals.

The maturity period of PPF accounts is 15 years, and the interest rate is determined by the government of India every year. PPF interest rate for FY 2024-25 stood at 7.1% per annum. Partial withdrawals are allowed once the account has been in operation for seven years, albeit for a limited set of reasons, including children's education and medical requirements.

Eligibility criteria for PPF

The Public Provident Fund is accessible to all resident Indian citizens. Individuals in the aforementioned category can open a PPF account with any leading bank or post office. It is worth noting here that non resident Indians cannot open PPF accounts nor can Hindu Undivided Families. With regard to VPF vs PPF, while the former requires subscription to an existing EPF account, there is no such requirement for the latter.

PPF contributions

Public Provident Fund account holders have to adhere to a minimum yearly contribution of ₹500. The maximum permissible annual contribution to a PPF account is ₹1.5 lakhs. Interest on PPF investments is paid at the end of each fiscal year by way of credit to the account. Traditionally, PPF interest rates have hovered in the 7 to 9 % per annum bracket, with the current rate being 7.1% per annum. As far as VPF vs PPF is concerned, VPF interest rates are generally higher than those for PPF.

Maturity period of PPF

The Public Provident Fund carries a maturity period of 15 years. Investments made into a PPF account are, therefore, locked in for that period. However, partial withdrawals are permitted at the end of the seventh year of tje operation of the account if the account holder requires it for medical reasons or the education of their children. The maturity of PPF accounts can be extended in blocks of 5 years after the expiration of 15 years.

Tax considerations for PPF

Contributions made into Public Provident Fund accounts are eligible for tax deductions up to ₹1.5 lakhs (under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961). The interest earned on PPF investments and the maturity proceeds are also tax exempt (although the tax laws prevailing during the year of account maturity shall apply).

Differences between VPF and PPF

Both Voluntary Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund are savings schemes that can serve as worthy additions to your retirement plan. With relatively low risk, substantial returns, and permissibility for partial withdrawals, both the schemes have no dearth of benefits. Furthermore, there is a plethora of tax benefits associated with both PPF and VPF.

Let us now gauge PPF vs VPF on various important parameters.

VPF vs PPF - at a glance

Point of difference

Public Provident Fund

Voluntary Provident Fund

Nature of the scheme

The Public Provident Fund is a savings scheme open to all resident Indians (irrespective of their employment status).

The Voluntary Provident Fund is an extension of the Employees' Provident Fund and is accessible only to salaried individuals in India.

Eligibility criteria to subscribe

Resident Indians can subscribe to the Public Provident Fund.

Salaried employees can participate in the Employees’ Provident Fund and the Voluntary Provident Fund.

Maturity period

The maturity period for PPF accounts is 15 years. However, extensions in blocks of five years are allowed post that period.

VPF contributions can stay active until the account holder’s resignation, retirement, or transfer of EPF account to another employer.

Minimum and maximum contribution

Minimum contribution: ₹500 per annum

Maximum contribution: ₹1,50,000 per annum

Minimum contribution: 12% of basic pay plus dearness allowance

Maximum contribution: 100% of basic pay plus dearness allowance

Interest rate

The current interest rate for VPF is 8.25% per annum.

The prevailing interest rate for PPF is 7.1% per annum.

Partial withdrawals

Partial withdrawals are allowed for

  • Medical payments

  • Construction of a house

  • Marriage

  • Loan repayment

Partial withdrawals are allowed after the completion of seventh year of the account and for

  • Medical reasons

  • Children's educational expenses

To sum it up

You can choose to invest in the Public Provident Fund, Voluntary Provident Fund, or both based on your financial plan and retirement plan, life stage, return expectations, etc. Before choosing either of the schemes, it is prudent to peruse the latest rules surrounding interest rates, subscription, partial withdrawals, and taxability.

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Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

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