PPF

@Reema said in Should I prioritize PPF over immediate liquidity needs?:

Starting a PPF early can benefit you due to compounding and tax-free returns. However, if you're a young earner, you also want to keep some cash on hand for emergencies and skills training. The best move is to find a balance. You can allocate some money to a PPF for growth, but keep some funds in easily accessible savings or short-term options to secure your future. This way, you can ensure a secure future while still being covered for immediate needs.

I'm worried about locking too much into my PPF. Since that money is tied up for years, will I miss out on opportunities to upskill or handle emergencies? Should I consider a mix of liquid and market-linked funds instead?

You're making a sensible choice by hesitating to lock everything into a PPF while still needing a solid emergency reserve. While PPF is great for tax-free growth, the 15-year lock-in makes it hard to access cash quickly.

First, try to build an emergency fund covering 3 to 6 months of expenses in a simple savings account. Once everything is set, you can effortlessly manage PPF and SIPs without worrying about your monthly budget. Liquidity is just as important as growth.

As an NRI, you can not open a new PPF account. But if you had already opened your PPF account when you were an Indian resident, you can continue investing in it until its maturity. You can deposit up to ₹1.5 lakh per year, and withdrawals are allowed as per PPF rules.
And once your PPF account completes 15 years, you cannot extend it further. Extensions beyond 15 years are not allowed for NRIs.

It’s great and important to diversify your investment for retirement. You can consider:

PPF: gives you guaranteed returns and helps you in tax benefits. Debt Funds: considered as low-risk funds, gives you a steady return. ELSS Mutual Funds: gives you a tax rebate with a potential growth rate.

If you are still not able to understand, it’s better to consult a financial advisor for a personalized plan.