Savings

PPF after 15 years: withdraw, or extend with or without deposits?

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

If you deposit ₹1.5 lakh a year, your PPF reaches about ₹40.7 lakh after 15 years. Extending for 5 more years with deposits takes it to ₹66.6 lakh. Extending without deposits still takes it to ₹57.3 lakh, all tax-free.

Your three options at maturity

1. Close the account and withdraw the full amount, tax-free.
2. Extend without deposits. This is the default if you do nothing. The balance keeps earning interest, and you can withdraw any amount once a year.
3. Extend with deposits. Submit the extension form within one year of maturity. You keep investing, and you can withdraw up to 60% of the balance at the start of each block over its 5 years.

Each extension is for 5 years, and you can extend as many times as you like.

What each option grows to (₹1.5 lakh a year, 7.1%)

Extending with deposits for 10 more years crosses ₹1 crore. Your total deposits over 25 years are ₹37.5 lakh, and interest provides the remaining ₹65.6 lakh.

Which option suits you?

• You need the money for a home, a child's wedding or education: close the account.
• You don't need it yet but can't keep investing: extend without deposits. It's safe, tax-free and flexible.
• You can keep investing and want safe growth: extend with deposits. This is the most powerful option for retirement.

Remember to submit the extension form at your bank or post office within a year of maturity if you want to keep depositing. If you miss it, the account continues without deposits.

All figures use today's 7.1% rate. The government reviews PPF rates every quarter.