What are Child Savings Plans?
Child Savings Plans are plans that help build a corpus to fund your child’s education, marriage, and other expenses related to the child. These plans offer the dual benefit of savings and life insurance. In the event of the death of the parent, the child will receive a lump sum amount, which can be utilised to pursue higher education.
There are an array of child savings plans with different features and benefits. You can choose the best saving plan for child with a 10 to 20-year term and with a host of benefits. While choosing a child savings plan, it is recommended to choose a long-term plan and play the premium regularly to keep the policy active.
Why is it Important to Have a Children's Savings Plan?
Shaping your children’s future depends on the quality of education they get and the financial backing they have if they decide to establish a business. With the rising costs due to inflation, it is important to have robust financial planning now to secure the future of your child. Children savings plan helps provide the best education and financial backing for any venture that your children wish to start. A well-designed saving schemes also provides a robust financial safety net for your child's future, providing financial security and builds a strong foundation for your children and will bolster their confidence.
How Do Child Savings Plans Work?
A child savings plan provides dual benefits. It helps save funds for your children’s education children’s marriage, and other major expenses. It is also a financial safety net for your children in case of eventualities. This is how the children savings plan works:
If you purchase a child savings plan and pay the premium regularly throughout the policy term, you can use the maturity amount for your child’s higher education. In case of any eventuality during the policy term, the death benefit ensures that your child can pursue his/her higher education and fulfil his/her dreams.
Key Benefits of Child Savings Plans
The main objective of buying a children savings plan is to fund their future expenses like higher education, marriage, and establishing a start-up. It also provides financial security to your children in your absence. The key benefits of a child savings plan are:
It provides the benefit of savings as well as life insurance. It secures your child’s future and provides financial security to him/her in your absence.
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This child saving scheme comes in handy in emergencies. You can make part withdrawals whenever you need funds.
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In case of an eventuality, your children get a lump sum payment by way of a death claim. Also, the plan continues to be live, and the future premium payments are taken care of by the insurance companies. At the end of the policy term, they receive a payout that will ensure they fulfil their dreams at any cost.
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The premiums paid for a child savings plan are eligible for deductions up to Rs. 1.50 lakhs under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 19613. The payout received also has tax benefits under Section 10(10D) 3.
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Best Child Savings Plan in India 2025
The best child savings plan can help you save according to your child’s dreams and aspirations. Here are few of options that you can evaluate:
Sr.no. |
Best Child Savings Plan |
Purpose |
Tax Benefits |
1 |
Child ULIPs |
These plans provide growth in wealth through investment in marked linked avenues and protect your child’s financial future in case of an unfortunate event. |
Under Section 80C and Section 10 (D). (Maximum deduction that can be claimed is Rs 1.5 lakhs) |
2 |
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) |
This is an investment scheme by the Government aimed to help parents of a girl child to save for her education and marriage. |
Under Section 80C (Maximum investment of Rs 1.5 Lakhs) |
3 |
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) |
SIPs are a powerful investment tool that helps you investment money and grow your wealth over a long term. |
N/A |
4 |
Life Insurance |
Provides guaranteed returns to your investment to fulfill your child’s financial goals along with life cover to protect the financial future |
Under Section 80C and Section 10 (D). (Maximum deduction that can be claimed is Rs 1.5 lakhs) |
5 |
Debt Funds |
These are low risk investment avenues that offer stable returns and protection to capital which is suitable for your child’s financial future |
N/A |
6 |
Public Provident Fund (PPF) |
PPF provides stable returns in the long term. It has a lock-in period of 15 years making it ideal for disciplined investment for your child’s goals. |
Under Section 80C (Maximum investment of Rs 1.5 Lakhs) |
7 |
National Savings Certificate (NSC) |
NSC is ideal for those prioritizing safety and stability in their investments, offering fixed returns with minimal risk. Making it suitable for child’s future. |
Under Section 80C (Maximum investment of Rs 1.5 Lakhs) |
8 |
Recurring Deposits |
It is an investment option that provides fixed returns by investing is a disciplined manner to save for your child’s future. |
N/A |
9 |
Gold |
It is a conventional investment avenue where you can get high returns to secure your child’s financial future. |
N/A |
10 |
ELSS |
Equity linked savings scheme provide you the opportunity to invest in equity in a disciplined manner to secure your child’s goal in the long term. |
Under Section 80C (Maximum investment of Rs 1.5 Lakhs) |
Why Do You Need a Child Savings Plan?
A child savings plan allows you to set aside money and secure your child's future. Whether for your child's education, higher studies, or emergencies, starting to save at an early age ensures sufficient funds during times of need.
Let’s explore in detail about why you should get a child savings plan:
Birth of the Child
Education
Higher Education
Marriage
Emergencies
Giving birth to your child is a perfect time to start planning for their future. Opening a child savings plan helps you start saving for your child's needs. It is always beneficial to begin at an early age. The earlier you start, the more time you give your money to grow from the power of compounding. Even small contributions during this time help you create a strong financial foundation for the future of your child.
Education constitutes a significant portion of expenses paid by parents. The cost of a child's education rises significantly as they grow up. Thus, by establishing a savings plan for education or a child education plan, you can prevent financial stress.
Begin by estimating the costs of schooling, including uniforms, books, tuition fees, and other expenses. Following a dedicated savings plan, enough funds can accumulate over time and help you cover the costs without sacrificing your own life goals.
When your child grows up, you can send them abroad for higher education. Saving for higher education at an early age requires substantial funds and more when accounting for inflation. Planning beforehand allows you to avoid relying on loans and thus provides your child with the freedom to focus on studies without considering further financial pressure.
Once your child becomes an adult, they might need support during marriage. Wedding costs include the costs of lavish ceremonies, receptions and other expenses. Opting for a child savings scheme allows you to accumulate funds to achieve this milestone, ensuring that your child's special day is memorable without causing further financial strain.
Life is quite unpredictable, and emergencies can arise at any time. Be it a medical emergency or any unexpected situation, having an emergency fund can offer peace of mind. Accumulating more savings enables you to handle emergencies without affecting your regular budget or savings goals.
Tips to Save Money for Your Children's Future
Some of the tips to save money for your children’s future are:
A long-term plan provides better returns. If you start early, you can invest small amounts to suit your pocket for longer periods.
Putting aside small amounts regularly helps accumulate money that can come in handy for your child’s future.
Look for additional benefits that will enhance your maturity proceeds while purchasing a life insurance plan.
The amount you save should be adequate to fulfil your child’s financial needs and should not exceed your budget. You should be able to pay premiums regularly to keep the policy alive.
Which Child Savings Plan is best for You?
To choose the best savings plan for a child, you must take into consideration your financial goals, risk appetite, investment horizon, budget, etc. If you are a new investor and unsure which plan to choose, consult a financial advisor.
Here are some things you should consider while choosing an investment plan for your child:
- Age and Financial Goal of Your Child: The younger your child will be, the more you can invest and the more time you have to save for your child's future.
- You’re Investment Horizon: Plan for how long you can invest before you can access the money.
- Your Budget: Choose the premium amount aligning with your budgetary constraints.
- Risk Tolerance: Decide how much risk you are capable of taking with the investment.
How To Choose the Best Child Savings Plan?
Choosing the best child savings plan is essential to secure your child's future. You should consider factors such as insurance coverage, flexibility, the credibility of the insurer, and tax benefits. Here is a summary of the most important factors to consider while choosing the best child savings plan:
Purpose
Premiums
Flexibility
Insurance Coverage
Credibility of Insurer
Tax Benefits
Before choosing your child's savings plan, find out what you wish to accomplish. Knowing the purpose of saving will also let you reach your goals with ease. Are you planning to save for your child's education, emergency fund or marriage? Choosing the right plan caters to your unique needs. So, list your goals and consider whether they are short or long-term to pick the right investment.
Premiums are the amount you need to pay regularly to keep the plan active. Make sure to keep your premium amount budget-friendly. Choose either a fixed or flexible premium. A fixed premium ensures consistency, while a flexible premium can be adjusted to your financial situation.
Check out the flexibility of the child savings plan you have chosen. Make sure to choose a policy term and a premium paying term that aligns with your goals and budget. Also, look for a plan that provides flexibility, as this helps you adapt to your financial situation while considering your child's future needs.
Choose the life insurance coverage the plan offers. This enables you to determine the amount your child ought to receive in your sudden demise. The coverage amount, however, should be sufficient to meet their future needs. Opting for a good plan ensures that you will receive both insurance protection and an opportunity for savings.
The credibility of an insurer is an important factor when choosing the right plan. Make sure to conduct thorough research about the insurer, studying the customer reviews and financial stability. Choose only a reputed company with a good track record providing customers with better security and reliable services.
You are eligible to claim tax benefits depending on the premium of the policy under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The death benefits are also exempted from taxes under Section 10 (10D) of the Income Tax. This thereby allows you to save money while continuing to invest for your child's future.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Child Savings Plan
Here are some factors you should consider before opting for a child savings plan:
Purpose of the Plan
Duration
Flexibility
Returns and Performance
Tax Benefits
Liquidity
Reputation of the Provider
Inflation
Automatic Features
Consultation
Make sure to determine the primary goal or the main purpose of your savings. Are you investing in your child's education, marriage, or some other purpose?
Take into consideration the time horizon till you consider the funds to utilise. If your child is young and you are investing to save for meeting college expenses or marriage, you then will have a comparatively long time frame in comparison to someone whose child is already a teenager.
Before considering a child savings plan, check its flexibility. Find out whether you can adjust the frequency of payment or tenure as per your requirement. Is it possible for you to increase or decrease the contribution amount over time? There are some savings plans which allow you to make lump sum payments. A flexible plan caters to your unique needs.
While deciding to opt for a child savings plan, consider the returns and performance. If your chosen plan is investment-linked, make sure to review its past performance and associated risks. Past results, however, don't guarantee future returns, but they can provide you with an overall idea. This helps you gain a thorough understanding of the potential growth of investment over time.
Several child savings plans offer tax benefits. You can avail these benefits according to the amount you choose to invest, the returns, and other factors. Thus, make sure to check out the tax implications before selecting a plan. Understand the amount you can save on taxes and whether the plan is eligible for deductions.
Find out how easy it is to withdraw money from your chosen savings plan, especially taking into consideration emergency situations.
Before you proceed to choose a child savings plan, conduct a thorough research about the reputation of the provider. Search for any well-known or reputed institution or company holding a strong track record. A reputable provider will be more likely to provide reliable services and make your investment in your child safe and secure.
While choosing a child savings plan, consider the rate of inflation. Due to inflation, the value of your saved money depreciates over time, so your savings might not be enough to cover future costs. Make sure to plan wisely and invest in inflation-beating assets to ensure sufficient growth over time to meet the future needs of your child.
There are many child savings plans with an automatic mode of investment. This might help in ensuring financial discipline. Moreover, these kinds of features also let your savings grow over time. The invested money can also be adjusted with inflation and provide better financial security when looking at your child's future.
Before choosing a child savings plan, consulting with a financial advisor is a must. A financial advisor can guide you to understand your financial goals and objectives. This guidance thereby enables you to reach an informed decision making and choose the best plan for the future of your child.
Which Child Savings Plan is Right for You?
Some of the best child savings plan to secure your child’s future are:
Sukanya Samridhi Scheme
Sukanya Samnridhi Scheme is a government-backed scheme designed specially for a girl child. It is a low-risk investment that matures when the child turns 21 and can be used to fulfil her goals.
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Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
SIP allows you to invest in a mutual fund scheme of your choice and at the frequency chosen. You can build a corpus for your child’s future over a period.
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Public Provident Fund (PPF)
It is a government-backed scheme with low risk. With the power of compounding interest in PPF, your investment will grow exponentially in 15 years. The part withdrawal facility after 7 years provides funds to cater to your child’s expenses.
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Debt Funds
The investment by debt funds is in fixed-income securities like bonds. They are less riskier than equity mutual funds. According to SEBI, there are 16 types of debt funds, and you can choose any.
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Gold
Investment in gold offers high liquidity, and the funds are immediately available during emergencies. The investment can be in gold coins, gold bonds, gold jewellery or in gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
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Term Insurance Plans
A term insurance plan is a common plan chosen for securing a child’s future. Look for a plan with life cover for financial security.
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FAQs on Child Savings Plan
1 What is the child savings policy?
A child savings policy is a savings plan that helps fund the goals of your child at different life stages.
2 How do I plan savings for my child?
Determine the goals and budget your savings accordingly. Start early so that you can invest less for higher returns.
3 What are the documents required while buying a savings plan for children?
You would require submitting a duly filled Proposal form along with KYC of the child and the parent/guardian. You might need to submit other documents, only on specific request, during the application process.
Here are some of the documents you might have to submit:
- Proposal form
- Identity proof (passport, voter ID card, Aadhaar, driving Licence)
- Address proof (Voter ID card, Aadhaar, Passport, Utility bills, Driving Licence)
- Age proof
- Income proof
4 What are the tax benefits associated with Child Savings Plans in India?
The premium payments have tax benefits under Section 80C3, and the maturity/death payout has tax benefits under Section 10(10D)3.
5 What is the minimum amount for investing in a Child Savings Plan?
The minimum amount for investing in a child savings plan is Rs. 250/-
6 What is the expected tenure period for a plan to receive its maximum value?
The maximum tenure for a plan to receive maximum value is 5 years but can vary with the institution.
7 Do children's savings plans provide partial withdrawal?
Yes. Children's savings plans provide partial withdrawal.
8 Can a minor be a nominee in a savings plan for children?
Yes. A minor can be a nominee in a savings plan for children but should be represented by a guardian.
9 What is the right time to start investing in a Child Savings Plan?
It is recommended to start early, as long-term investments provide higher returns.
10 What is the government savings plan for children?
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a popular government savings plan for a girl child. This plan is designed exclusively for girl children up to the age of 10 years.
Here's all you should know about Child Savings.
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1. Provided all due premiums have been paid and the policy is in force.
3. The above tax benefits are subject to conditions specified u/s 80C and u/s 10(10D) of the Income tax Act, 1961. The afore stated views are based on the current Income-tax law. Tax Laws are also subject to change from time to time. The customer is requested to seek tax advice from his Chartered Accountant or personal tax advisor with respect to his personal tax liabilities under the Income-tax law.
HDFC SL YoungStar Super Premium (Form No. P 501 UIN : 101L068V03) is a Unit Linked Non Participating Life Insurance Plan. Life Insurance Coverage is available in this product.
HDFC Life YoungStar Udaan (101N099V04) is a Non-Linked, Participating, Life Insurance Plan. Life Insurance Coverage is available in this product
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