Top 10 Investment Options For Women in India?

Key Takeaways

• Investing provides women with financial security, helping them sustain their families and uphold a decent quality of life.
• There are best investment options for women to invest in like PPF, EPF, SSY, ULIP, etc.
• The government offers the best investment plan for females like the Post Office Mahila Samman Savings Scheme with a return interest rate of 7.5%.
• Investment options for women yield greater returns the sooner they start investing.

Women’s empowerment in India, especially in the last two decades, has been remarkable. Today women are not only educated but are also independent both socially and financially. This is a grand feat for us as a society. However, for every woman, savings have been a critical priority. As they succeed more and more, the options for new finance and investment avenues are expanding for them. Investment options for women not only enable them to be independent but also allow them to support their families and maintain a good and healthy living standard.

What is the Importance of Investment for Women?

Investment options for women allow them to achieve financial independence. It provides them with the opportunity to grow their wealth and secure their financial future, regardless of their marital or employment status. Moreover, investment options for women not only adds to their independence but also empower them to participate in economic decision-making and shape their futures actively.

Overall, investment options for women enable them to secure their financial well-being, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to a more equitable society. In order to do so, women today, opt for options like investment in profitable options like mutual funds, ULIPs, SGBs, etc., apart from the traditional method of saving money in a bank account.

Best Investment Options for Women in India

The investment market overflows with a diversified range of investment options for women. These include plans like PPF, EPF, SSY, ULIP, and many others. Let us take a quick look at women investment tools and understand what makes them reliable investment options for women:

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Considered the most optimal and secure investment options for women looking to strengthen their savings, the PPF stands out as a widely popular investment tool. It offers a competitive interest rate currently set at 7.1% over a 15-year tenure, surpassing many other comparable long-term savings schemes tailored for women.

Women can invest in PPF to build a retirement corpus or save for other long-term goals as it ensures tax-free returns and long-term wealth creation, empowering them with financial independence and security.

Mutual Funds

Mutual funds pool money from various investors to invest in diversified portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other securities. They are excellent investment options for women as they offer flexibility, professional management, and the potential for higher returns compared to traditional fixed-income investments.

Mutual funds are suitable for women with a long-term investment horizon and willingness to accept market fluctuations. These investment options for women are good because they offer diversified investment options with potentially higher returns, helping women build a robust investment portfolio.

National Pension Scheme (NPS)

NPS is a voluntary retirement savings scheme regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). It offers tax benefits under Section 80CCD of the Income Tax Act and allows investors to build a retirement corpus through regular contributions.

These investment options for women provide a tax-efficient retirement savings plan, enabling women to secure their golden years financially. Therefore, women can benefit from the flexibility and choice of investment options offered by NPS.

Fixed Deposits (FDs)

One of the most reliable investment options for women, FDs offer stable returns with low risk making them a safe investment option with guaranteed returns, suitable for women with low-risk appetites. These investment options for women also offer flexibility in terms of tenure, ranging from a few months to several years. Women can opt for FDs with banks or post offices depending on interest rates and tenure.

National Savings Certificate (NSC)

NSC is a government-backed savings scheme in India that encourages small to medium savings investments. It offers a fixed interest rate and can be purchased from post offices.

NSC provides secure investment options for women with guaranteed returns, making it suitable for conservative investors, including women who prioritize capital preservation over high returns. It is also beneficial for tax-saving purposes as the interest earned qualifies for deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)

ULIPs are insurance cum investment products that offer both life insurance coverage and investment options. ULIPs suit women who are comfortable with market fluctuations and seek both protection and growth opportunities. These can prove great investment options for women if they carefully assess charges and fund performance before investing.

Life Insurance

Life insurance proves to be one of the oldest investment options for women. It provides financial protection to the policyholder’s beneficiaries in the event of the policyholder’s death. It pays out a lump sum amount (death benefit) to the beneficiaries in exchange for the premiums paid by the policyholder during their lifetime. Women, especially those with dependents, should consider life insurance to safeguard their family’s future financial needs.

Gold Investment

Gold has traditionally been considered the safest and one of the best investment options for women in India. Women can invest in gold through various avenues such as physical gold (jewelry, coins), gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), or sovereign gold bonds.

This traditional investment avenue can hedge against inflation and provide a financial cushion, making it a valuable addition to an investment portfolio.

Capital Guarantee Plans

One more popular investment options for women are capital guarantee plans which are investment products with assured return of the invested capital at maturity. These offer the possibility of earning additional returns based on the performance of underlying assets. These plans provide a balance between capital protection and market-linked returns, making them one of the excellent investment options for women who seek moderate risk with some growth potential. However, it is essential to review fees and terms to ensure they align with your investment objectives.

Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)

EPF is a retirement savings scheme for employees in India. It offers a fixed interest rate declared by the government annually. EPF provides a secure and stable avenue for retirement savings. It is one of the most suitable investment options for women looking for a reliable long-term investment with minimal risk.

Also note that women in the private sector can invest a maximum amount of up to ₹2.5 lakhs, while the female employees working in the government sector can invest as much as ₹5 lakhs in the EPF scheme.

Indian Government Investment Schemes for Women

Along with the above-mentioned schemes, the government of India offers a list of investment options for women that are beneficial for them. Let us take a look at the best investment plan for women in India provided by the government:

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

SSY is one of the best investment for women, a government-backed savings scheme specifically designed for the benefit of the girl child. It aims to provide a long-term investment option to ensure the financial security and education of the girl child. Parents or guardians can open an SSY account in the name of a girl child below 10 years of age. Contributions can be made towards the account until the girl reaches 21 years of age, and withdrawals are allowed for her education and marriage expenses.

Post Office Mahila Samman Savings Scheme

One of the best investment options for females, this scheme is offered by the Indian postal service. It provides safe and reliable investment options for women, allowing them to deposit their savings and earn interest. It offers a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum, which is currently one of the highest rates among government schemes for a two-year period. You can invest a minimum of ₹1,000 and a maximum of ₹2 lakh under this scheme.

Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana is an initiative announced in the 2024 Delhi budget specifically for women residents. It aims to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to eligible women. The focus of these investment options for women is yet to be implemented, and it is to empower and financially support women in Delhi, particularly those from economically weaker sections.

Lakhpati Didi Scheme

The Lakhpati Didi initiative is one of the latest investment options for women started by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It is focused on economic empowerment and financial self-sufficiency among women residing in rural regions. A Lakhpati Didi is a member of a Self-Help Group whose annual household earnings amount to Rupees One Lakh (₹1,00,000) or more. This income is assessed over at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles, with an average monthly income surpassing ₹10,000, ensuring its sustainability.

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)

KVP is a government-backed savings scheme available to all individuals, including women. KVP offers attractive interest rates, currently fixed at 7.5% per annum. The interest is compounded annually and matures the investment in approximately 9.5 years (115 months), doubling the initial investment.

Post Office Time Deposit Scheme

The Post Office Time Deposit (TD) Scheme is one of the secure investment options for women offered by the Indian post office. It caters to individuals seeking guaranteed returns on their investment for a fixed tenure. These investment options for women offer fixed interest rates on deposits, which range from 5.5% to 7.5% p.a., depending on the chosen deposit period. You can open an account with a minimum deposit of ₹200 and make further deposits in multiples of ₹100. There is no maximum limit on investment.

Benefits of Investment for Women

With time, it has become more convenient for women to invest and secure their future financially. It gives them control over any financial emergency as well as helps them live a respectful life. Some of the major benefits of investment options for women are as follows:

Supporting Family Goals

Investment options for women are best suited for long-term goals that require long-term commitment, like buying a house, or raising children, etc.. Sometimes, salary and savings are not enough to fulfill all the dreams. Hence, properly planned investment options for women are essential to achieve all the long-term goals.

Financial Security

Regular investment options for women help maintain a substantial corpus and provide financial stability to the family. Thus, investment helps achieve short-term or long-term goals without burning the pocket.

Planning For Children’s Future

Investment options for women can fulfill the dream of higher education. Everyone wants to give their children a top-notch education; with investment options for women, single mothers can put aside a lump sum amount for the child’s education, which can later be utilized to fund the child’s higher education.

Retirement Planning

It is always beneficial to save for a comfortable life after retirement. By investing wisely in investment options for women, they can work towards achieving long-term financial objectives such as retirement planning.

When is the Right Time for Women to Start Investing?

Time is a crucial factor in investing due to the power of compounding. The sooner women start investing, even the small amounts, the more time their investments have to grow and accumulate wealth. It is important for women to identify their financial goals, whether it is saving for retirement, buying a home, funding education, or starting a business. Once goals are established, they can develop an investment strategy tailored to achieving these objectives.

It is never too late for women to start investing, even if they are in their later years. With proper planning and investment strategies, they can still build wealth and achieve financial security.

Empowering Women through Socially Responsible Investing

Empowering women through socially responsible investing is a powerful approach that aligns financial goals with social and environmental impacts. By investing in companies and initiatives that promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable practices, women can not only grow their wealth but also contribute to positive societal change. This investment strategy offers several significant benefits:

Supporting Women-Led Businesses

Socially responsible investing promotes companies with diverse leadership and gender-inclusive policies, fostering an environment where women can thrive professionally and economically.

Advancing Women’s Rights and Education

Investment options for women can be directed towards organizations that champion their rights, provide educational opportunities, and address gender-based inequalities, contributing to the overall advancement of women globally.

Promoting Sustainable Development

By investing in companies focused on sustainable practices, women can support initiatives that address environmental and social challenges, ultimately creating a better world for future generations.

Financial Empowerment

Socially responsible investing empowers women to align their financial decisions with their values, encouraging financial literacy and independence.

Inspiring Positive Change

As more women embrace socially responsible investing, it sends a powerful message to corporations and governments, compelling them to prioritize gender equality and sustainable practices.

By embracing socially responsible investing, women can leverage their financial power to create a ripple effect, driving positive social and environmental changes while securing their financial futures.

Way Forward

Ladies, it is time to take control of your financial future! Exploring tailor-made investment options for women is not as daunting as it may seem. Start by setting clear goals and determining your risk tolerance. Are you saving for retirement, buying a home, or planning a fabulous vacation? Once you know where you are headed, it becomes easier to map out your investment journey.

Diversification is the name of the game. Do not put all your eggs (or investment money) in one basket. Spread your investments across asset classes like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs. This way, if one investment underperforms, you would not be left hanging in the middle of a crisis.

Before investing in any kind of policy and putting your hard-earned money at risk, it is advisable to read the documents of any financial plan carefully before investing in them! The market is filled with a variety of policies; one should understand and go through all the options before opting for the one that suits them the best.

FAQs on Investment Options For Women