Feb 23, 2024 7 min read

What is SWP in Mutual Funds?

Introduction

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan in Mutual Funds is a structured approach that enables investors to withdraw a predetermined amount of money from their mutual fund investments at regular intervals. It serves as a method for managing investment income in a disciplined manner, providing investors with a consistent cash flow to fulfill their regular financial requirements without having to sell off their entire investment. Essentially, SWP allows investors to set up a systematic schedule for withdrawing funds from their mutual fund holdings, ensuring a steady stream of income while maintaining their investment portfolio.

Understanding Systematic Withdrawal with Example-

Let us look at how Priya's Systematic Withdrawal Plan works. Priya, an investor, intends to use systematic withdrawal for her ₹10 lakh mutual fund investment. She aims to withdraw ₹20,000 monthly to fulfill her usual costs. With this withdrawal plan arrangement, Priya assures a regular revenue stream to satisfy her monthly financial obligations. At the same time, the remainder of her investment remains in the mutual fund, allowing it the opportunity to increase over time. This strategic strategy enables Priya to strike a balance between using her funds for living costs and allowing her investment to continue earning returns.

In summary, systematic withdrawal helps Priya manage her money efficiently by generating a consistent income flow while keeping her investment intact.

Benefits of SWP?

Systematic withdrawalprovides multiple advantages in MF schemes, Here are some-

Regular Income

Systematic withdrawal allows investors to get a consistent stream of income from their mutual fund assets, which can help them meet their financial responsibilities.

Flexibility

Investors can determine the frequency and quantity of withdrawals based on their financial needs, whether monthly, quarterly, or annually, offering flexibility in cash flow management.

Capital Preservation

Withdrawal Plan allows investors to withdraw only a fraction of their investment earnings, preserving the mutual fund's capital value.

Convenience

Setting up a Systematic plan automates the withdrawal process, reducing the need for manual involvement every time funds are required.

Investors can benefit from regular income, flexibility in withdrawals, capital preservation, tax efficiency, and the possibility of rupee cost averaging by using Systematic Withdrawal Plans Moreover, this offer ease through automated withdrawals, which makes them a useful tool for managing mutual fund investments and reaching financial objectives.

SWP vs SIP?

  • The primary difference between a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and a Systematic Investment is their goal and execution. SIP focuses on making regular deposits in mutual funds, whereas SWP focuses on making regular withdrawals from existing mutual fund investments.
  • Systematic Withdrawal is especially beneficial for investors who have acquired money and now seek a consistent income source. This makes it an excellent choice for retirees or anyone looking for efficient tax management solutions. Setting up a Systematic withdrawal allows investors to take a methodical approach to withdrawing funds from their investment portfolio, assuring continuous cash flow to fulfill their financial demands over time.
  • Compared to SIP, which requires participants to contribute funds every month to construct their investment portfolio, systematic withdrawal allows investors to sell their investments at predefined intervals to meet their living expenses or other financial needs. This strategy provides more flexibility and control over cash flow management, allowing investors to maintain their chosen quality of living without draining their whole investment portfolio.
  • Example of withdrawal plan - Assume you have invested Rs.10000 in a mutual fund and set up a systematic withdrawal to take Rs.200 every month. At the start of the first month, the mutual fund sells units worth Rs.200 from your investment to provide you with the funds you require. If the value of your investment remains constant by the beginning of the second month, the mutual fund sells additional units for Rs.200 to pay you the withdrawal amount. This process continues every month, with the mutual fund selling units to provide you with the specified withdrawal amount until you opt to discontinue or adjust the Systematic withdrawal.

Overall, this plan offers a smart solution for investors seeking a consistent income stream from their amassed savings while protecting their investment capital. It provides a good combination of income creation and capital preservation, making it an effective instrument for long-term financial planning and wealth management.

Who is this SWP ideal for?

The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is perfect for investors who want to generate monthly income from their investments while preserving their wealth.

Best for retirees

It is especially beneficial for retirees who rely on a stable income to support their living expenses. Retirees can use SWP to set up regular withdrawals that operate as a fixed pension, giving them a steady and consistent income stream to support their lifestyle throughout retirement.

Those who want to preserve for their children-

Furthermore, withdrawal can help investors save for their children's education Setting up systematic withdrawals allows investors to accumulate assets over time to support their children's education without having to sell their entire investment portfolio at once. This technique protects the investor's capital while also meeting the financial needs for higher education.

For investment, you will need funds that will provide

Less Liquidity

Choose funds that offer less liquidity, such as those associated with systematic withdrawal where regular withdrawals are made, reducing the liquidity of your investment portfolio.

Growth

Opt for funds that prioritize growth, allowing your investment to expand over time despite regular withdrawals. This ensures the preservation or even enhancement of your investment value while providing a steady income through systematic withdrawals.

Capital Safety

Look for funds that prioritize capital preservation, ensuring that your wealth is protected while still earning a consistent income. These funds typically withdraw only a fraction of investment gains, safeguarding your initial wealth and potentially leaving a legacy for future generations.

The best category is hybrid because a Hybrid Fund is a type of investment fund that combines different asset classes like equities and bonds fixed income in a single portfolio. The goal of a hybrid fund is to provide investors with a diversified investment option that offers both growth potential and income stability.

 

Volatile market- Because of the volatility you might not get a better return but in systematic withdrawal, you will get fixed income so for that you will need a hybrid category. Within the hybrid category, Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds or multi-asset allocation funds are recommended choices. These funds adjust their asset allocation dynamically based on market conditions, making them well-suited for navigating unpredictable market fluctuations.

Let’s explore more fund in this category-

Conclusion

To sum up, investors have an easy and efficient way to manage their mutual fund investments and achieve their financial objectives with the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Investors can benefit from potential tax advantages, rupee cost averaging, steady income, flexibility in withdrawals, and capital value preservation using a Systematic withdrawal plan. This plan assists investors in reaching their goals, whether they are to finance college, support retirement, or pay for ongoing expenses, by methodically liquidating investments. Furthermore, automated withdrawals make withdrawal plans easy to use, which makes it a useful instrument for investors looking for growth and stability in their finances. In addition to a withdrawal plan, investors may want to think about the advantages of a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), When combined, systematic withdrawal and SIP provide thorough approaches to investment management and long-term financial success.

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