<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true">EPF (Employee Provident Fund) and PPF (Public Provident Fund) are popular long-term investment options for retirement savings in India.Both schemes are government-backed and offer safe and attractive returns, designed for retirement savings.EPF is for salaried employees managed by EPFO, while PPF is open to all Indian citizens and managed by the Government of India.Eligibility: Salaried employees in organisations with 20+ employees are eligible for EPF. PPF is open to all Indian citizens, including minors.Tax Benefits: Both EPF and PPF fall under the EEE category, offering tax deductions up to Rs 1.5 lakh/year under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.EPF interest is tax-free after five years; PPF interest is tax-free throughout the tenure.Maturity: EPF lasts until retirement, while PPF has a 15-year maturity period, extendable in blocks of five years each.Contribution: EPF involves a 12% contribution from employees and employers, while PPF allows deposits between Rs 500 and Rs 1.5 lakh/year.Both EPF and PPF are valuable for financial security, catering to different needs based on eligibility and maturity.