Types of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs)

Ever heard of "little drops of water make a mighty ocean"? That's the magic of SIPs, or Systematic Investment Plans, in a nutshell! But hold on, the SIP world is more than just meeting an individual’s needs. Let's dive into the different types of SIPs available, making your investment journey smooth and personalised.

Types of SIPs

Choosing the right SIP is like picking the perfect spice for your dish. Here's a taste of the options:

1. Regular SIP

Like your morning chai, this SIP is consistent and reliable. You invest a fixed amount at regular intervals (monthly, quarterly, etc.) - perfect for building discipline and long-term wealth. Think of it like putting aside some pocket money every month for your future self!

Example: Rs. 1,000 invested monthly for 10 years at 10% returns could potentially grow to Rs. 3.43 lakhs!

Let’s understand the mathematics behind this example by calculating the future value of a series of regular investments, also known as an annuity. Here's a breakdown:

1. Formula:

We can use the Future Value of Ordinary Annuity (FVORA) formula to calculate the final amount:

FVORA = P * (((1 + R)^n - 1) / R)

where:

• P = Monthly investment amount (Rs. 1,000)
• R = Annual interest rate (10% expressed as a decimal: 0.1)
• n = Number of investment periods (10 years * 12 months/year = 120 months)

2. Calculation:

Plugging the values into the formula:

FVORA = 1000 * (((1 + 0.1)^120 - 1) / 0.1)

FVORA ≈ Rs. 343,232.45

3. Explanation:

• The formula considers the time value of money, meaning each invested amount grows with interest over time.
• The part (1 + R)^n calculates the future value of each individual investment after n periods.
• -1 accounts for the initial investment amount that hasn't grown interest yet.
• Dividing by R adjusts for the interest rate being applied annually.

2. Top-up SIP

Feeling a raise or bonus coming your way? This SIP lets you increase your investment amount periodically, say annually or based on milestones. It's like giving your investment wings to fly higher!

Example: Start with Rs. 1,000 monthly and increase by 10% every year. The potential return over 10 years could be Rs. 4.02 lakhs, compared to Rs. 3.43 lakhs with a regular SIP!

Now, let’s understand how’s it calculated:

Assumptions:

• Initial monthly investment: Rs. 1,000
• Annual increase: 10%
• Investment period: 10 years
• Rate of return: 12% (assumed for illustration purposes)

Regular SIP Calculation:

• Total invested amount over 10 years: Rs. 1,000/month * 12 months/year * 10 years = Rs. 1,20,000
• Future value of regular SIP using the formula: Future Value = Present Value * (1 + Rate of Return)^Number of Periods
• Future value = Rs. 1,20,000 * (1 + 0.12)^10 = Rs. 3,43,215.63

Top-up SIP Calculation:

• Year 1: Monthly investment = Rs. 1,000
• Year 2: Monthly investment = Rs. 1,000 * (1 + 0.1) = Rs. 1,100
• Year 3: Monthly investment = Rs. 1,100 * (1 + 0.1) = Rs. 1,210
• ...
• Year 10: Monthly investment = Rs. 2,593.74 (rounded to two decimal places)
• Total invested amount over 10 years:
  • We can use the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series:
  • Sn = n/2 * [2a + (n - 1)d]
  • Where:
    • Sn = Sum of the series (total invested amount)
    • n = Number of terms (years) = 10
    • a = First term (initial monthly investment) = Rs. 1,000
    • d = Common difference (annual increase) = Rs. 100
  • Sn = 10/2 * [2 * 1000 + (10 - 1) * 100] = Rs. 1,64,550
• Future value of Top-up SIP:
  • Future value = Rs. 1,64,550 * (1 + 0.12)^10 = Rs. 4,02,395.70

Comparison:

• Regular SIP future value: Rs. 3,43,215.63
• Top-up SIP future value: Rs. 4,02,395.70

Difference: Rs. 59,180.07

As you can see, with the Top-up SIP, the investor benefits from the power of compounding not only on the initial investment but also on the annual increases. This leads to a higher future value compared to a regular SIP with the same initial investment.

3. Flexible SIP

Life throws curveballs, and your SIP shouldn't be rigid. This SIP allows you to adjust the amount you invest based on your income flow. Need to skip a month due to an unexpected expense? No worries!

Example: Invest Rs. 1,000 when your salary arrives, Rs. 500 if it's a lean month. While the final returns might be slightly lower than a regular SIP, it ensures consistency and avoids missing out completely. Didn’t get it? No, worries let’s break it down:

Assumptions:

• Investment duration: 1 year (12 months)
• Regular SIP amount: Rs. 1,000 per month
• Flexible SIP amount: Rs. 1,000 in high-income months, Rs. 500 in low-income months (assuming equal distribution of high and low months)
• Annual return rate: 10% (for simplicity)

Regular SIP:

• Total invested amount: Rs. 1,000/month * 12 months = Rs. 12,000
• Future value using the Future Value (FV) formula: FV = P * (1 + R)^n, where P is the principal amount, R is the annual return rate, and n is the number of investment periods.
• FV = Rs. 12,000 * (1 + 0.10)^1 = Rs. 13,200

Flexible SIP:

• Total invested amount in high-income months: Rs. 1,000/month * 6 months = Rs. 6,000
• Total invested amount in low-income months: Rs. 500/month * 6 months = Rs. 3,000
• Total invested amount: Rs. 6,000 + Rs. 3,000 = Rs. 9,000
• Future value for high-income months: FV = Rs. 6,000 * (1 + 0.10)^1 = Rs. 6,600
• Future value for low-income months: FV = Rs. 3,000 * (1 + 0.10)^1 = Rs. 3,300
• Combined future value: Rs. 6,600 + Rs. 3,300 = Rs. 9,900

Comparison:

• Regular SIP future value: Rs. 13,200
• Flexible SIP future value: Rs. 9,900

Difference: Rs. 3,300

Key Points:

• The flexible SIP, while offering flexibility, results in a lower future value compared to the regular SIP due to the lower total invested amount.
• The return difference depends on the investment duration, return rate, and the frequency and amount of adjustments in the flexible SIP.
• The benefit of the flexible SIP lies in its ability to adapt to changing income streams, potentially allowing for continued investment even during lean months.

4. Trigger SIP

Imagine your SIP investing on autopilot! This SIP kicks in when a specific market condition occurs like the Sensex reaching a certain level. It's like setting a smart investment trap to catch opportunities automatically.

Example: Set a trigger to invest Rs. 2,000 whenever the Sensex dips below 50,000. This helps you buy more units when the market is low, potentially leading to higher returns when it rebounds. Let's delve into the math behind this example:

Scenario:

• Trigger: Sensex dips below 50,000
• Investment amount: Rs. 2,000

Understanding the Math:

1. Unit Purchase: We need to calculate how many units you purchase with Rs. 2,000 when the trigger activates. This depends on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the chosen mutual fund at that time.

Let's assume the NAV is Rs. 100 when the Sensex dips below 50,000.

• Units purchased = Investment amount / NAV = Rs. 2,000 / Rs. 100 = 20 units

1. Cost Averaging: Now, imagine the market recovers, and the NAV increases to Rs. 150. The value of your 20 units becomes:

• Unit value at higher NAV = Rs. 150
• Total value of your investment = Units purchased * Unit value at higher NAV = 20 units * Rs. 150 = Rs. 3,000

1. Potential Gain: This represents a potential gain of:

• Gain = (Total value at higher NAV) - Investment amount = Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 2,000 = Rs. 1,000

Key Points:

• The actual gain depends on the chosen fund's performance and the NAV fluctuations.
• Trigger SIPs encourage buying more units when the market is low, potentially averaging out your cost per unit over time.
• This can lead to higher returns when the market recovers compared to a fixed SIP amount regardless of market conditions.

Additional Considerations:

• Trigger Level: Setting the trigger level too high might limit buying opportunities. Conversely, setting it too low could lead to frequent purchases during minor dips.
• Market Volatility: Trigger SIPs work best in volatile markets where dips offer buying opportunities. Stable markets might not trigger purchases often.
• Diversification: Don't rely solely on trigger SIPs. Diversify your portfolio across different asset classes and investment strategies.

5. Perpetual SIP

Unlike most SIPs with a fixed end date, this one goes on forever, like your love for delicious samosas! Perfect for long-term wealth creation and ensuring a steady flow of income even after retirement.

Example: Start a perpetual SIP of Rs. 1,000 monthly. By the time you retire 30 years later, the potential corpus could be a whopping Rs. 1.67 crores! The potential corpus in the perpetual SIP example involves two main components: regular investment and compounding. Let’s understand in depth.

1. Regular Investment:

• You are starting a monthly SIP of Rs. 1,000.
• Over 30 years (360 months), this translates to a total investment of:
  • Total invested amount = Monthly SIP amount * Number of months
  • Total invested amount = Rs. 1,000/month * 360 months
  • Total invested amount = Rs. 3,60,000

2. Compounding:

• The key factor that amplifies your returns is compounding. This means your earnings also earn interest over time.
• We need an assumed annual return rate to calculate the impact of compounding. Let's assume a conservative 8% annual return.
• Using the Future Value (FV) formula with compounding, we can calculate the potential corpus:
  • FV = P * (1 + r)^n
  • Where:
    • FV = Future Value (corpus after 30 years)
    • P = Present Value (total invested amount) = Rs. 3,60,000
    • r = Annual return rate = 8% (expressed as a decimal: 0.08)
    • n = Number of years = 30

Calculating the Future Value (FV):

• FV = Rs. 3,60,000 * (1 + 0.08)^30
• FV ≈ Rs. 1,67,34,928

Therefore, the potential corpus after 30 years with a monthly SIP of Rs. 1,000 and an assumed 8% annual return could be around Rs. 1.67 crores.

6. Multi SIP

Multi SIP, as the name suggests, allows you to invest in multiple mutual funds through regular Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). This strategy goes beyond the basic principle of SIP and introduces the concept of diversification. Think of this as having multiple investment baskets. This SIP allows you to invest in different mutual funds simultaneously, spreading your risk and potentially maximizing returns across various sectors.

Example: Invest Rs. 1,000 each in an equity fund, a debt fund, and a hybrid fund. This diversification helps balance your portfolio and potentially weather market fluctuations better. Let's break down the math behind this approach:

Scenario 1: Single SIP in One Mutual Fund

• Invest Rs. 1,000 per month in an Equity Fund (assumed average annual return: 12%)
• After 5 years, the total invested amount = Rs. 1,000 x 12 months/year x 5 years = Rs. 60,000
• Assuming a constant 12% annual return, the total corpus after 5 years = Rs. 60,000 * (1 + 12%)^5 ≈ Rs. 95,300

Scenario 2: Multi SIP in Three Mutual Funds

• Invest Rs. 333.33 each per month in an Equity Fund (12% return), Debt Fund (8% return), and Hybrid Fund (10% return)
• After 5 years, the total invested amount in each fund = Rs. 333.33 x 12 months/year x 5 years = Rs. 20,000
• Assuming respective annual returns, the total corpus after 5 years in each fund:
  • Equity Fund: Rs. 20,000 * (1 + 12%)^5 ≈ Rs. 32,600
  • Debt Fund: Rs. 20,000 * (1 + 8%)^5 ≈ Rs. 26,700
  • Hybrid Fund: Rs. 20,000 * (1 + 10%)^5 ≈ Rs. 29,500
• Total corpus across all three funds = Rs. 32,600 + Rs. 26,700 + Rs. 29,500 ≈ Rs. 88,800

Key takeaways:

• In both scenarios, you invest a total of Rs. 60,000 over 5 years.
• However, with Multi SIP, your portfolio is diversified across different asset classes, potentially reducing risk.
• While the individual fund returns might be slightly lower, the combined corpus in Multi SIP is approximately Rs. 7,500 higher due to diversification.

7. SIP with Insurance

This SIP combines the benefits of investment and insurance, offering a safety net in case of unforeseen circumstances. It's like having a security guard for your investment journey.

Example: Invest Rs. 2,000, of which Rs. 1,500 goes towards the mutual fund and Rs. 500 towards life insurance. This provides financial security for your loved ones while your investment grows. Let’s getn into the potential mathematical aspects involved in such an investment:

1. Investment Growth:

• Total Investment: Rs. 2,000 per month
• Allocation: Rs. 1,500 towards mutual fund, Rs. 500 towards life insurance
• Mutual Fund Growth: We need historical data or an assumed average annual return rate for the mutual fund to calculate its future value. Let's assume a hypothetical 10% annual return.

Note: This is a simplified example and does not consider factors like fees, taxes, or inflation.

2. Insurance Coverage:

• Life Insurance Cover: We need specific details about the insurance plan, such as the sum assured and premium amount. Let's assume a hypothetical sum assured of Rs. 10 lakhs for a premium of Rs. 500 per month.

3. Overall Analysis:

• Investment Growth Potential: Over 3 years, the mutual fund investment might grow to Rs. 65,546 (assuming a 10% annual return), excluding fees and taxes.
• Insurance Coverage: The life insurance provides a constant Rs. 10 lakhs cover throughout the period.

Choosing the Right SIP

There's no person-specific SIP. Consider your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Talk to a financial advisor who can guide you based on your unique needs and risk profile. 

Let’s look at Ms. Sharma’s story who took advice from her financial advisor. She is a teacher, and started a regular SIP of Rs. 500 monthly 10 years ago. Today, she has accumulated over Rs. 8 lakhs, helping her achieve her dream vacation.

Conclusion

So, the world of SIPs is no longer a mystery! With a wide variety of options available, you can now choose the one that perfectly complements your financial goals and risk tolerance. Remember, consistency is key - start small, stay invested, and watch your wealth grow like a well-seasoned dish!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Which SIP is the best for me?
Ans: There's no single "best" SIP, as it depends on your individual circumstances. Consider your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Consulting a financial advisor can help you choose the right SIP for your unique needs.

Q: Can I have multiple SIPs?
Ans:  Absolutely! Diversifying your investments across different SIPs with varying risk profiles can help manage risk and potentially enhance returns.

Q: What happens if I miss an SIP installment?
Ans: Most SIPs offer flexibility, allowing you to skip or modify installments under certain conditions. However, missing installments can impact your investment discipline and potential returns.

Q: What are the charges associated with SIPs?
Ans: SIPs usually incur minimal charges like entry load, expense ratio, and transaction fees. Check the specific charges associated with your chosen SIP scheme.

Q: Can I withdraw money from my SIP?
Ans: While some SIPs offer partial withdrawals, it's generally recommended to stay invested for the long term to benefit from compounding. Early withdrawals can impact your overall returns.