SIP - Systematic Investment Plan Meaning, Benefits & Working

Investments have become an integral part of financial planning. Initially it was only savings, but now the quest to earn higher returns have led to investment. SIP is one such way of investment which has been largely opted by investors.

What is SIP

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a disciplined approach to investing. It comes with various advantages, allowing investors to build wealth by regularly investing a predetermined sum at a set interval. The intervals could be weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Investors can also go with auto-debit to automate withdrawals from their bank accounts for investment in the pre-decided scheme.

SIPs provide investors with a flexible investment approach. They have options to adjust their investment amounts based on their finances. This flexibility enables investors to increase or decrease their SIP contributions with great control.

How does an SIP work?

An SIP works like a recurring investment, where the amount is auto-debited from your bank account and invested in the mutual fund of your choice. Once the amount is deposited, you get a certain number of units of the mutual fund scheme where you have invested. The number of units that you have invested depends upon the Net Asset Value (NAV) of that particular scheme for that particular day.

SIP mutual fund allots you additional units of the scheme with every instalment. As the NAV of the scheme keeps on changing, with the same SIP amount you may buy fewer units when the market is high and more units when the market is low.

So, why is SIP an ideal investment option? There are two underlying processes to understand the work of SIP.

Learn SIP through an Example 

Suppose you plan to start an SIP with a monthly investment of Rs. 10,000 in a mutual fund named "B." The mutual fund's current Net Asset Value (NAV) is Rs. 80 per unit, resulting in an initial allocation of 125 units.

As illustrated above, the number of units allocated each month is different and is based on the NAV of the mutual fund. Then, these units are added to your portfolio, enabling and contributing to growth. The fluctuation in NAV reduces the impact of market volatility.

Features of SIP Investment Plan

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a flexible investment strategy that allows individuals to invest in Mutual Funds with several advantageous features:

1. Modest investment plan: SIP is an ideal option for those interested in starting an investment with a relatively small amount, in contrast to substantial lumpsum investments. SIP allows you to commence with as little as Rs 500 per month and allows for gradual increases as your income grows.

2. Consistent investment intervals: SIP promotes a disciplined approach to saving and investing by allowing you to choose from various investment intervals such as weekly, monthly or quarterly. This regular investment pattern facilitates rupee cost averaging and assists in building a systematic investment habit.

3. Fixed investment amount: When you start a SIP, the investment amount is fixed. While you can use the ‘SIP Top-up’ feature to make supplementary contributions, it is important to note that you cannot reduce the SIP amount without discontinuing the existing plan and creating a new one.

4. Investment pause option: SIP mutual fund offers the flexibility to temporarily suspend your investments for one to three months, which can be particularly valuable during financial hardships. The SIP resumes automatically upon the conclusion of the pause period. It is advisable to consult with your Mutual Fund provider to confirm the availability of this pause facility.

5. Adjustable SIP intervals: SIP grants you the convenience of altering your investment intervals between weekly, monthly or quarterly SIPs. You can initiate this change through an online request or by submitting a written request to your respective Mutual Fund provider.

6. No maximum investment limit: While the minimum SIP investment is Rs 500, no stringent upper limit exists. This allows investors to invest any sum they choose through the SIP. It is crucial to maintain the consistency of your SIP investment for the duration of the plan.

7. Cancellation provision: SIP provides the flexibility to terminate the plan at any time. Cancellation can be done online or by providing the SIP cancellation form to the relevant Mutual Fund provider. Additionally, you can remove the Asset Management Company (AMC) as a biller from your bank account to halt SIP payments

Power of Compounding

The power of compounding in SIP mutual funds is quite a valuable feature. Unlike simple interest, which calculates interest solely on the principal amount, compounding involves reinvesting earnings, leading to exponential growth over time.

Lets understand it by taking an example, let’s say, investing Rs 100 for 5 years at 10% interest yields Rs 150 with simple interest but Rs 161 with compounding. Over 20 years, this disparity becomes even more pronounced. By initiating SIP investments early and remaining committed to them, investors can harness the power of compounding to accumulate substantial wealth for their long-term financial objectives.

Compounding in SIP mutual funds offers significant benefits. It helps your money grow faster by earning interest not just on your initial investment but also on the returns you've already gained. This steady growth over time means you can gradually build wealth, making reaching your financial goals faster.

Rupee Cost Averaging

This is another advantage of SIP in which a person buys more units when the market is low and buys fewer units when the market is high. Here is an illustration which explains rupee cost averaging; we consider two situations of investment in mutual funds one through SIP and another through lump sum.

Over a period of 6 months, the investment through SIP gets more units i.e. 300 with per unit cost at Rs 12. Similarly, with a lump sum investment, one gets only 240 units with per unit cost as high as Rs 15.

Benefits of Investing in SIP

Investing in a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a wise choice with many advantages for those seeking to participate in Mutual Funds in a systematic and organised manner.

1. Disciplined investment: SIP promotes disciplined investing by requiring regular contributions of a fixed amount. This approach encourages individuals to avoid attempting to predict the unpredictable nature of the market. It enables a consistent, reliable habit of saving and investing, a fundamental element in long-term wealth accumulation.

2. Cost efficiency: SIP makes Mutual Fund investment accessible to a broad spectrum of investors owing to its low minimum investment threshold. Moreover, breaking the investment into smaller, regular portions helps in reducing the influence of market fluctuations. Costs associated with investing in Mutual Funds through SIP are also relatively lower than those of alternative methods.

3. Power of compounding: SIP harnesses the power of compounding. Regular contributions over an extended timeframe allow not only the initial investment to grow but also the generated returns. This compounding effect leads to significantly higher returns on investment.

4. Flexibility: SIP mutual fund allows investors to start, pause, increase or decrease their investments, aligning their strategies with evolving financial objectives and circumstances.

5. Diversification: SIP enables access to a diversified portfolio of assets, given that Mutual Funds typically invest in various securities such as stocks, bonds and diverse instruments. This diversification effectively spreads investment risk, reducing vulnerability to market volatility.

When to invest in SIP

Here’s when you can start investing in SIP:

Early Age Advantage

Starting to invest in SIPs in your 20s or 30s leverages the power of compounding for long-term growth. You can benefit from ample time to accumulate substantial wealth for future needs.

Mid-Life Start 

Initiate SIP in your 40s or 50s to secure a comfortable retirement or meet financial goals. Disciplined investing can yield meaningful results despite needing more time for compounding.

Stable Income 

Ensure a steady income source before beginning SIP to commit to contributions comfortably. Assess the financial situation to ensure surplus income after essential expenses for stress-free investing.

Beginning of the Month 

Start SIP at the start of the month to promote financial discipline and avoid delaying investments. You can benefit from Rupee Cost Averaging by consistently investing early, potentially reducing overall investment costs.

Special Occasions

Invest in SIP upon receiving lump sum amounts like bonuses or inheritances to put money to work efficiently. Commemorate special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries by initiating SIP for meaningful wealth growth.

Clear Financial Goals 

Start SIPs with specific goals such as vacation, home purchase, education funding, or retirement planning. Align SIP contributions with focused and committed savings objectives, ensuring effective wealth accumulation.

Things to Consider Before Starting SIP 

Before starting SIP, it is helpful to consider these points:

Financial Goals

Define your investment objectives, whether wealth creation, retirement planning, or education funding, to align your SIPs with specific goals.

Risk Tolerance 

Assess your risk tolerance to determine the appropriate asset allocation between equity, debt, and hybrid SIPs.

Investment Horizon 

Determine your investment horizon, considering short-term liquidity needs and long-term financial objectives.

Fund Selection 

Research and select SIP Mutual Funds based on factors like fund performance, expense ratio, fund manager expertise, and consistency.

Cost Analysis 

Evaluate the total cost of SIPs, including fund management fees, exit loads, and taxes, to ensure they align with your budget and investment strategy.

SIP Amount 

Determine the optimal amount based on your financial capability, considering income, expenses, and existing investments.

Regular Monitoring

Commit to monitoring SIP performance and portfolio rebalancing as needed to stay on track toward your financial goals.

Conclusion

The entire process of SIP can be beneficial only when a person starts investing early and parks the money in the market for a longer period. One can start low and increase investments in the long run to enjoy the benefits of compounding. SIP calculator helps you to calculate your returns on your systematic investment. Start investing in your preferred fund through SIP to fulfil your long dreamt financial goals.

Systematic Investment Plan FAQs

Is SIP Mutual Fund taxable?

SIP Mutual Funds are subject to taxation based on the type of mutual fund and the holding period. Equity SIPs held for over a year are taxed at 10% on gains exceeding Rs 1 lakh, while debt SIPs are subject to short-term capital gains tax if held for less than three years.

Is SIP good for Beginners?

Yes, SIPs are generally considered quite beneficial for beginners due to their systematic investment approach, which helps cultivate disciplined saving habits and mitigate market volatility through rupee cost averaging.

Is SIP good for the long term?

SIPs are well suited for the long term as they offer the potential for wealth accumulation through regular investments over an extended period. They allow investors to benefit from the power of compounding and smooth out market fluctuations, making them an effective tool for achieving long-term financial goals.

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