Breaking down the different types of SIPs: Which one is right for you?

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a disciplined way of investing in mutual funds. The concept behind SIPs is simple. You invest an amount at regular intervals (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or yearly) into a mutual fund scheme. Over time, this regular investment can grow into a substantial corpus due to rupee-cost averaging and the power of compounding.

Wondering which type of SIPs would work best for you? Here is a breakdown of the six most popular types of SIPs to help you make an informed decision.

1. Regular SIP

The regular SIP is the most basic and widely used type of SIP. Here, you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals (e.g., monthly), into a mutual fund of your choice. This SIP works regardless of market conditions and follows a consistent investment strategy.

Key features

• Fixed investment amount and frequency.
• Usually does not allow adjustments to the SIP amount during the tenure.
• Perfect for beginners looking for a simple way to invest consistently.

Note: Make sure to use an SIP calculator to estimate potential returns and plan SIPs strategically. Simply enter details like investment amount, tenure, and expected rate of return to visualise how your wealth will grow over time (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 10, or 15 years).

2. Step-up SIP

A step-up SIP allows you to raise the SIP amount on a periodic basis. For example, you may choose to increase your contribution by ₹1,000 every year or a set percentage. It helps you align your investments with income growth.

Key features

• Designed to combat inflation and grow wealth faster.
• Incremental increases can be fixed at predefined intervals.
• Works well for investors with rising incomes, like professionals expecting regular salary hikes.

3. Flexi SIP

A flexi SIP offers flexibility in modifying your investment amount based on your personal cash flow or market conditions. For example, you can increase contributions during market downturns to benefit from lower Net Asset Values (NAVs) or reduce the amount if facing financial strain.

Key features

• Allows you to increase or decrease your SIP instalments.
• Helps leverage market volatility for better returns.
• Ideal for irregular cash flows, such as freelancers or business owners.

4. Trigger SIP

A trigger SIP allows you to set predefined conditions for investments, such as market index levels, fund NAVs, or specific dates. Once the trigger condition is met, the SIP investment is initiated automatically.

Key features

• Helps automate investments based on market events.
• Requires a sound understanding of market dynamics.
• Riskier compared to other SIP types.

5. Multi-SIP

A multi-SIP allows you to invest in multiple mutual fund schemes through a single SIP mandate. For example, with a monthly SIP of ₹10,000, you can allocate ₹2,500 each to four different funds.

Key features

• Offers diversification across funds and asset classes.
• Reduces administrative hassle by consolidating investments into one mandate.
• Suitable for building a balanced portfolio.

6. Perpetual SIP

A perpetual SIP is set up without a fixed end date and continues until you manually stop it. Unlike traditional SIPs with a predefined tenure, perpetual SIPs provide uninterrupted compounding benefits over the long term.

Key features

• You can redeem or stop your SIP anytime by notifying the fund house.
• Offers greater flexibility for investors planning indefinite investments.
• Promotes a long-term investment mindset.

Which type of SIP is right for you?

The variety of SIPs available means that there is a plan for everyone, no matter if you are a beginner looking for simplicity or an experienced investor seeking market-linked strategies. By choosing the right SIP based on your financial goals, income pattern, investment timeframe, and risk appetite, you can optimise your wealth creation journey.

Remember, the earlier you start, the greater your returns. So, start an SIP in mutual funds today and build wealth systematically.