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What Is a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)?

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A systematic investment plan (SIP) is a plan in which investors make regular, equal payments into a mutual fund, trading account, or retirement account such as a 401(k). SIPs allow investors to save regularly with a smaller amount of money while benefiting from the long-term advantages of dollar-cost averaging (DCA). By using a DCA strategy, an investor buys an investment using periodic equal transfers of funds to build wealth or a portfolio over time slowly.

How SIPs Work

Mutual funds and other investment companies offer investors a variety of investment options including systematic investment plans. SIPs give investors a chance to invest small sums of money over a longer period of time rather than having to make large lump sums all at once. Most SIPs require payments into the plans on a consistent basis—whether that’s weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

The principle of systematic investing is simple. It works on regular and periodic purchases of shares or units of securities of a fund or other investment. Dollar-cost averaging involves buying the same fixed-dollar amount of a security regardless of its price at each periodic interval. As a result, shares are bought at various prices and in varying amounts—through some plans may let you designate a fixed number of shares to buy. Because the amount invested is generally fixed and doesn’t depend on unit or share prices, an investor ends up buying fewer shares when unit prices rise and more shares when prices drop.

SIPs tend to be passive investments because once you put money in, you continue to invest in it regardless of how it performs. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on how much wealth you accumulate in your SIP. Once you’ve hit a certain amount or get to a point near your retirement, you may want to reconsider your investment plans. Moving to a strategy or investment that’s actively managed may allow you to grow your money even more. But it’s always a good idea to speak to a financial advisor or expert to determine the best situation for you.

Special Considerations

DCA advocates argue that with this approach, the average cost per share of the security decreases over time. Of course, the strategy can backfire if you have a stock whose price rises steadily and dramatically. That means investing overtime costs you more than if you bought all at once at the outset. Overall, DCA usually reduces the cost of an investment. The risk of investing a large amount of money into security also lessens.

Because most DCA strategies are established on an automatic purchasing schedule, systematic investment plans remove the investor’s potential for making poor decisions based on emotional reactions to market fluctuations. For example, when stock prices soar and news sources report new market records being set, investors typically buy more risky assets.

In contrast, when stock prices drop dramatically for an extended period, many investors rush to unload their shares. Buying high and selling low is in direct contrast with dollar-cost averaging and other sound investment practices, especially for long-term investors.

SIPs and DRIPs

In addition to SIPs, many investors use the earnings their holdings generate to purchase more of the same security, via a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). Reinvesting dividends means stockholders may purchase shares or fractions of shares in publicly traded companies they already own. Rather than sending the investor a quarterly check for dividends, the company, transfer agent, or brokerage firm uses the money to purchase additional stock in the investor’s name. Dividend reinvestment plans are also automatic—the investor designates the treatment of dividends when they establish an account or first buy the stock—and they let shareholders invest variable amounts in a company over a long-term period.

Company-operated DRIPs are commission-free. That’s because there is no broker needed to facilitate the trade. Some DRIPs offer optional cash purchases of additional shares directly from the company at a 1% to 10% discount with no fees. Because DRIPs are flexible, investors may invest small or large amounts of money, depending on their financial situation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Systematic Investment Plans

Advantages

SIPs provide investors with a variety of benefits. The first, and most obvious, benefit is that once you set the amount you wish to invest and the frequency, there’s not much more to do. Since many SIPs are funded automatically, you just have to make sure the funding account has enough money to cover your contributions. It also allows you to use a small amount so you don’t feel the effects of a big lump sum being withdrawn all at once.

Because you’re using DCA, there’s very little emotion involved. That cuts back some of the risk and uncertainty you’re likely to experience with other investments like stocks and bonds. And since it requires a fixed amount at regular intervals, you’re also implementing some discipline into your financial life.

Pros

“Set it and forget it”

Imposes discipline, avoids emotion

Works with small amounts

Reduces overall cost of investments

Risks less capital

Cons

Requires long-term commitment

Can carry hefty sales charges

Can have early withdrawal penalties

Could miss buying opportunities and bargains

Disadvantages

Although they can help an investor maintain a steady savings program, formal systematic investment plans have several stipulations. For example, they often require a long-term commitment. This can be anywhere from 10 to 25 years. While investors are permitted to exit the plan before the expiration date, they may be subject to significant sales charges—up to 50% of the initial investment if done during the first year. Missing a payment can lead to plan termination.1

Systematic investment plans can also be costly to establish. A creation and sales charge can run up to half of the first 12 months’ investments. Also, investors should look out for mutual fund fees and custodial and service fees if applicable.1

Real-World Example of a Systematic Investment Plan

Most brokerages and mutual fund companies such as Vanguard Investments, Fidelity, and T. Rowe Price offer SIPs, allowing investors to contribute quite small amounts. Although payments can be made by hand, most SIPs are set up to be paid automatically on a monthly, quarterly, or other schedule that the investor specifies. This means an investor should have a money market or other liquid account to fund their systematic investment plan.

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T. Rowe Price calls its SIP product Automatic Buy. After the initial investment to establish the account—generally $1,000 or $2,500, though this usually varies depending on the type of account—investors can make contributions of as little as $100 per month. It is available for both IRA and taxable accounts, but only to purchase mutual funds—not stocks.23

The funds can come directly from a bank account, a wage, or even a Social Security check. The company’s site promises “No checks to write or investment slips to mail—we handle everything.”