PPF vs EPF vs NPS Comparison Calculator India — Best for Retirement 2026

Last updated: 29 April 2026 Reviewed by Deepa Krishnan, CFP

**PPF, EPF, and NPS** are India's three main government-backed retirement instruments, each with different tax treatment, liquidity, and return profiles. PPF: 7.1% p.a., fully EEE tax status (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt). EPF: 8.25% p.a., EEE for ≤5 years, then partially taxable. NPS: market-linked (8–10% typical), EET (taxable at withdrawal on 60% corpus).

Annual Investment (₹) Enter the same amount for all three to compare

Investment Tenure (Years)

PPF Corpus (7.1% tax-free) —

EPF Corpus (8.25% tax-free) —

NPS Corpus (10% assumed, 60% taxable) —

Total Invested —

View Year-by-Year Breakdown

Real-World Examples — 2026

₹1 lakh/year for 20 years — three schemes compared

PPF (7.1%): ₹40.4 lakh. EPF (8.25%, with employer contribution assuming same net): ₹49.5 lakh. NPS (10% equity-heavy): ₹57.3 lakh (but 40% must go into annuity). Before tax, NPS generates most wealth; after tax implications, EPF often wins.

Additional NPS deduction benefit

Investing ₹50,000 in NPS under 80CCD(1B) saves ₹15,600 tax for someone in the 30% bracket. Over 20 years, this tax saving of ₹15,600/year invested separately can build an additional ₹10+ lakh corpus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better — PPF, EPF, or NPS for retirement?

EPF typically gives the best risk-free returns (8.25% with employer contribution) for salaried employees. NPS offers market-linked returns (10–12% historically) but 40% must be annuitised at retirement. PPF (7.1%) is fully tax-free with no lock-in post 15 years. NPS wins for high earners due to additional 80CCD(1B) deduction.

Can I invest in all three simultaneously?

Yes. A salaried employee can contribute to EPF (mandatory), voluntarily top up PPF (up to ₹1.5 lakh), and contribute to NPS (additional ₹50,000 under 80CCD(1B)). This diversifies across government-guaranteed and market-linked returns.

What are the tax benefits of each scheme?

PPF: EEE (deposits 80C, interest tax-free, maturity tax-free). EPF: EEE for contributions up to 12% of salary, interest on employee share up to ₹2.5 lakh tax-free. NPS: TEE — 80C + 80CCD(1B) deduction, but 40% annuity and 60% lump sum (60% lump sum tax-free from FY 2020).

Is the PPF vs EPF vs NPS Comparison Calculator free?

Yes, the PPF vs EPF vs NPS Comparison Calculator on CalcPhi is completely free with no registration required.

Are my inputs stored?

No. All calculations run in your browser. We do not store any financial data.

Can I use the PPF vs EPF vs NPS Comparison Calculator on mobile?

Yes. CalcPhi is fully mobile-optimised and works on all modern smartphones.