Senior Citizen Savings Scheme
The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) was launched by Government of India in 2004. As the name suggests, the scheme is targeted at retired people looking for safe and assured source of income. SCSS aims to provide guaranteed and regular income to the senior citizens in the form of interest payment on quarterly basis.
Key Points to Note
While investment in SCSS qualifies for Section 80C deduction, interest income is taxable.
Maximum deposit allowed is Rs 15 lakhs. If you are looking to invest for tax saving, note maximum deduction under 80C is restricted to Rs 1.50 lakhs in a financial year. Thus it may make sense to build up the overall investment corpus in SCSS over multiple financial years.
Tenor of deposit is 5 years. This can be extended for further 3 year period.
Loan against SCSS is not permitted
HUF and NRI are not allowed to invest in SCSS.
Advantages of SCSS
One of the best investment option for Section 80C investment for Senior Citizens. Interest rate on SCSS is about 0.70% higher than PPF.
Government guaranteed fixed return investment.
Regular cash flow in the form of quarterly interest payment.
Premature withdrawal allowed after 1 year, subject to penalty which varies from 1.5% to 1.0% depending on the completed period (1.5% for completed period between 1 and 2 years, 1.0% for completed period exceeding 2 years).
Interest Rate on SCSS
Interest Rate on SCSS is notified on quarterly basis. Once investment is done, interest rate is fixed for the 5 year tenor.
Given below is the applicable interest rate for SCSS since its inception in 2004: PeriodStart DateEnd DateInterest Rate Till FY122004March 31, 20129.00% FY13April 1, 2012March 31, 20139.30% FY14April 1, 2013March 31, 20149.20% FY15April 1, 2014March 31, 20159.20% FY16April 1, 2015March 31, 20169.30% FY17-Q1April 1, 2016June 30, 20168.60% FY17-Q2July 1, 2016September 30, 20168.60% FY17-Q3October 1, 2016December 31, 20168.50% FY17-Q4January 1, 2017March 31, 20178.50% FY18-Q1April 1, 2017June 30, 20178.40% FY18-Q2July 1, 2017September 30, 20178.30% FY18-Q3October 1, 2017December 31, 20178.30% FY18-Q4January 1, 2018March 31, 20188.30% FY19-Q1April 1, 2018June 30, 20188.30% FY19-Q2July 1, 2018September 30, 20188.30% FY19-Q3October 1, 2018December 31, 20188.70% FY19-Q4January 1, 2019March 31, 20198.70% FY20-Q1April 1, 2019June 30, 20198.70% FY20-Q2July 1, 2019September 30, 20198.60% FY20-Q3October 1, 2019December 31, 20198.60% FY20-Q4January 1, 2020March 31, 20208.60%
#scsshistory #SCSS #SCSSinterestrate #scsspresentinterestrate #scssinteresthistory #Seniorcitizensavingsinterestrate