A PPF account, due to the safety of returns, may be used for the higher education of children if the expense is planned after the account matures. If the degree cost is due before the account is 15 years old, premature closure is allowed if the account is more than five years old. The maturity balance is calculated on a rate that is 1% lower in such cases. Parents should carefully look at their own risk profile and check if PPF should be suitable for their children’s goals vis-a-vis using it for their own retirement. Also, the returns of PPF, although guaranteed, are well below inflation applicable to education goals (typically 10% or more) and only PPF investing will not suffice on its own.