Highlights
- Starting a SIP early can lead to wealth creation of several crores by age 60.
- Investing Rs 10,000 monthly at 12% return can grow to Rs 6.4 crore in 35 years.
- Delaying SIP by 10 years can cut total wealth by Rs 4.5 crore, highlighting power of compounding.
The earlier an investor begins a SIP, the more time money gets to compound. According to the FundsIndia research, someone who starts investing at age 25 can accumulate around Rs 6.4 crore by age 60 with a monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 and an assumed 12 per cent annual return.
However, delaying the investment dramatically reduces the final corpus. Even a delay of five to ten years can cut the total wealth by several crores.
Here is a detailed calculation: Rs 10,000 SIP at 12 per cent return
| Starting Age | Investment Duration | Total Investment | Value at 60 |
| 25 | 35 years | Rs 42 lakh | Rs 6.4 crore |
| 30 | 30 years | Rs 36 lakh | Rs 3.5 crore |
| 35 | 25 years | Rs 30 lakh | Rs 1.9 crore |
| 40 | 20 years | Rs 24 lakh | Rs 99 lakh |
| 45 | 15 years | Rs 18 lakh | Rs 50 lakh |
| 50 | 10 years | Rs 12 lakh | Rs 23 lakh |
| 55 | 5 years | Rs 6 lakh | Rs 8 lakh |
Example calculation – Starting at age 25
- Monthly SIP: Rs 10,000
- Annual return: 12 per cent
- Investment Period: 35 years
Total amount invested:
Rs 10,000 × 12 months × 35 years = Rs 42,00,000
Estimated value at age 60:
This means the investor earns nearly Rs 5.98 crore as returns, showing the massive impact of compounding.
What happens if you delay by 10 Years?
If the same investor waits until age 35 to start:
- Total investment: Rs 30 lakh
- Final value at 60: Rs 1.9 crore
This is Rs 4.5 crore less compared to starting at age 25.
Even though the investment amount decreases only slightly, the loss in compounding time drastically reduces wealth creation.
Why compounding makes the difference?
Compounding allows investment returns to generate further returns over time. When investments stay in the market longer, the growth curve becomes exponential.
- First 10–15 years generate relatively smaller gains.
- The last 10–15 years contribute the largest portion of the final corpus.
(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. ET NOW DIGITAL suggests its readers/audience to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)
