Public Provident Fund Maturity: What Options Do You Have After PPF Maturity?

The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of the most trusted long-term savings schemes in India, known for its tax-free returns, government backing, and steady interest income. But once your PPF account matures—after a 15-year lock-in period—what happens next? More importantly, what are your options after PPF maturity, and how should you decide what to do?

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through your choices after PPF maturity, what each option means for your financial future, and how to make the most of your matured PPF account—whether you’re planning to withdraw, reinvest, or extend.

Public Provident Fund Maturity

Feature	Details
PPF Maturity Period	15 years from account opening
Post-Maturity Options	Full withdrawal, extension with contributions, extension without contributions
Extension Period	In blocks of 5 years
Max Annual Contribution	₹1.5 lakh per financial year
Interest Rate (2024–25)	7.1% per annum (compounded yearly)
Tax Benefits	EEE status: Exempt on investment, interest, and maturity
Form Required for Extension with Contributions	Form H
Partial Withdrawals During Extension	1 per financial year (conditions apply)

The Public Provident Fund maturity offers you a unique opportunity to re-evaluate your financial goals. Whether you’re aiming for liquidity, long-term growth, or continued tax savings, your matured PPF account can serve as a powerful financial tool—if you choose the right path.

Take time to review your cash needs, tax situation, and future plans before you act. With the right strategy, your PPF maturity can be more than just an ending—it can be a new beginning for smarter, tax-efficient investing.

Understanding the Public Provident Fund (PPF) Maturity Process

A PPF account matures after 15 years from the end of the financial year in which the account was opened. For example, if you opened your account in May 2010, your account officially matures on March 31, 2026.

Option 1: Withdraw the Entire Amount

Once your account matures, you can withdraw the entire balance (principal + interest). There’s no penalty, and the entire amount is tax-free.

Ideal for:

Retirees needing lump sum funds
Major life expenses (child’s education, home purchase, medical emergencies)

How to do it:

Visit your bank or post office.
Fill out Form C (Withdrawal Form).
Submit it with your passbook and identity proof.

Tip: Ensure your KYC details are up-to-date to avoid delays in processing.

Option 2: Extend PPF Without Contributions

Not ready to withdraw yet? You can choose to extend your PPF account without making any new deposits. This is a great passive option because your money continues to earn interest at the prevailing rate.

Key Points:

No need to submit any form — if you do nothing, this becomes the default option.
Interest accrues for another 5 years.
You can make one withdrawal per financial year, without any specific limit (as long as the balance supports it).

Ideal for:

Those who don’t want to lock in new funds
Conservative investors seeking tax-free returns

Note: The interest earned continues to be tax-free even after maturity.

Option 3: Extend PPF With Contributions

Want to keep the momentum going? You can extend your PPF account in 5-year blocks and continue contributing, up to ₹1.5 lakh per year.

But you must submit Form H within 1 year of maturity. This tells the bank or post office you wish to continue contributing.

Benefits:

Keep earning tax-free interest
Continue availing Section 80C deductions on fresh contributions
Ideal for long-term financial planning or retirement income

Withdrawal Rule:

You can make one withdrawal per year, but over the 5-year extension, the total amount withdrawn cannot exceed 60% of the balance at the start of the extension period.

NRI Rules: Can Non-Resident Indians Extend PPF?

If you became an NRI after opening a PPF account, you can keep it active until maturity, but you cannot extend it further.

Upon maturity:

Funds must be transferred to your NRO account.
The amount is non-repatriable (can’t be transferred abroad).

How to Decide Which Option is Best for You

Here’s a quick decision-making guide based on your financial goals:

Your Goal	Best PPF Option
Need lump sum	Full withdrawal
Want passive income	Extend without contributions
Want to keep saving	Extend with contributions
Don’t need funds but want growth	Extend without contributions
Need tax savings under 80C	Extend with contributions

How PPF Compares with Other Post-Maturity Investments

Option	Expected Returns (2024–25)	Tax Treatment
PPF	7.1%	Fully tax-free
5-Year FD	~6.5–7.0%	Taxable
National Savings Certificate (NSC)	7.7%	Interest taxable
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)	8.2%	Interest taxable
Mutual Funds (Debt)	~6–8%	Taxed based on duration

Conclusion: If you want guaranteed, tax-free returns, PPF extension (with or without contribution) remains a top-tier choice.

Public Provident Fund Maturity FAQs

Q1: What if I forget to extend my PPF account after maturity?

If you don’t make any formal request within one year, your account will automatically be considered as extended without contributions.

Q2: Can I close my PPF account before 15 years?

Generally, premature closure is not allowed. However, in special cases like medical emergencies or higher education, you may be permitted early closure after 5 years.

Q3: Is there a penalty for not withdrawing after maturity?

No, there’s no penalty, and your balance will continue to earn interest, even if you don’t withdraw immediately.

Q4: Can I open a new PPF account after closing the old one?

Yes, but you can only hold one PPF account at a time (excluding accounts opened on behalf of minors).

Q5: What documents are needed for PPF maturity withdrawal?