What Are Systematic Withdrawal Plans?

Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs) are a way to withdraw your mutual fund investments at a regular interval without depleting the entire corpus. SWPs do so by converting your investment into a steady stream of income. SWPs are also a very tax efficient method of receiving cash flows, as investors are not required to pay any Tax Deduction At Source (TDS).

What is a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)?

An SWP is a facility that allows you to withdraw a fixed amount of money at pre-determined intervals (monthly, quarterly, or annually) from your existing mutual fund investment. This provides a structured way to tap into your capital gains and investment returns, creating a predictable income stream.

While a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a systematic method to invest in mutual funds, an SWP is a systematic method to withdraw your investments, therefore it is exactly the opposite to SIPs.

How Does a SWP Work?

Here's a simplified breakdown of the SWP process:

1. Choose a Mutual Fund Scheme: Select a scheme that aligns with your risk appetite and investment goals. Consider your time horizon and income needs when making this decision.

2. Invest a Lump Sum or Start a SIP: You can either invest a lump sum upfront or opt for a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) to gradually build your investment corpus.

3. Initiate an SWP: Once you're comfortable with your investment amount, instruct the fund house to initiate an SWP. Specify the withdrawal amount, frequency (monthly, quarterly, etc.), and duration.

4. Redemption of Units: On the designated withdrawal date, the mutual fund scheme will redeem enough units from your holding to meet your SWP amount. The number of units redeemed depends on the prevailing Net Asset Value (NAV) of the scheme on that date.

5. Receive the Withdrawal: The redeemed amount will be credited directly to your bank account linked to the mutual fund folio.

Who Should Consider SWPs?

SWPs cater to a diverse investor pool, particularly those seeking:

• Retirement Income: Retirees can leverage SWPs to generate a regular income from their accumulated investments. This helps maintain their desired lifestyle post-retirement.

• Supplementing Income: Working professionals can utilize SWPs to supplement their primary income and meet regular expenses or achieve specific financial goals.

• Disciplined Withdrawals: SWPs instill discipline by dictating a fixed withdrawal pattern, preventing impulsive decisions that could deplete your corpus prematurely.

Benefits of a SWP

• Regular Income Stream: SWPs provide a predictable flow of income, ensuring you have funds readily available to meet your needs.

• Tax Efficiency: Depending on the type of mutual fund scheme chosen and the investment tenure, capital gains earned within the SWP might be tax-efficient compared to a direct redemption.

• For instance if your SWP withdraws from an equity oriented fund, the taxation rules for equity funds apply (10% Long term capital gains, and tax free returns upto Rs. 1 lakh), whereas dividend payout option (IDCW) in mutual fund are taxed according to your tax slab, and can go as high as 30%. It's recommended to consult with your financial counsellor for personalized guidance.

• Flexibility: You have control over the withdrawal amount, frequency, and duration, allowing you to customize the SWP to suit your income needs.

• Continued Investment: While you withdraw funds, the remaining corpus continues to be invested, potentially benefiting from market growth and compounding returns.

Here's an Example to Illustrate the SWP Process:

• Investor invests Rs. 5,00,000 in a balanced mutual fund scheme (growth option).

• The initial NAV on the investment date is Rs. 10 per unit, resulting in 50,000 units (5,00,000/10).

• After a year, the investor decides to initiate a monthly SWP of Rs. 10,000.

• Let's assume the NAV on the first SWP date is Rs. 12 per unit.

• To meet the Rs. 10,000 withdrawal, (10,000/12) = 833.33 units will be redeemed from the investor's holding.

• The remaining corpus stays invested, and the SWP continues as per the set frequency, redeeming units based on the prevailing NAV to meet the withdrawal amount.

It's important to remember that SWPs aren't without limitations:

• Market Volatility: The success of SWPs depends on the performance of the underlying mutual fund scheme. Market downturns can impact the NAV, potentially reducing the number of units available for withdrawal and impacting your income stream.

• Depletion of Capital: SWPs lead to a gradual decrease in your invested corpus. This might not be suitable for investors with short-term financial goals.

• Tax Implications: Consult your financial counsellor to understand the tax implications of SWPs, especially regarding capital gains tax.

Conclusion

SWPs offer a valuable tool for investors seeking to convert their mutual fund investments into a regular income stream. They provide flexibility, potential tax benefits, and

By starting an SIP, you're laying the foundation for a secure financial future for yourself. Regardless of your age or financial situation, starting now allows you to benefit from the power of compounding to achieve your long-term investment goals. The earlier you start, the more significant your long term wealth accumulation can be. However, It's crucial to remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Speak to your financial counsellor to understand what is the safest approach for your personal risk tolerance and financial goals.