Senior Citizens Savings Scheme

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) Account is the safest investment option for the Senior Citizens.

The Senior Citizen’s account may be opened by an individual:

  1. Who has attained age of 60 years or above on the date of opening of the account.
  2. Who has attained the age 55 years or more but less than 60 years and has retired under a Voluntary Retirement Scheme or a Special Voluntary Retirement Scheme on the date of opening of the account within three months from the date of retirement.
  3. No age limit for the retired personnel of Defense services provided they fulfill other specified conditions.

Senior Citizen Savings account may be opened in individual capacity or jointly with spouse.

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) are not eligible to open Senior Citizen Savings Scheme.

The individual can open only one account in the multiple of Rs.1000, subject to a maximum limit of Rs.15 lacs.

No withdrawal shall be permitted before the expiry of a period of five years from the date of opening of the account. The depositor may extend the account for a further period of 3 years.

Premature closure of account is permitted in Senior Citizen Savings Scheme

  1. After one year but before 2 years on deduction of 1½ % of the deposit.
  2. After 2 years but before date of maturity on deduction of 1% of the deposit.

In case of death of the depositor before maturity, the account shall be closed and deposit refunded without any deduction along with interest.

Senior Citizen Saving Schemes Interest Rates

Interest @ 8.5% per annum (w.e.f. 01 Oct 16) from the date of deposit on quarterly basis. Interest can be automatically credited to savings account provided both the accounts stand in the same post office. Interest rounded off to the nearest multiple of rupee one.

Post Maturity Interest at the rate applicable to the deposits under Post Office Savings Accounts from time to time is admissible for the period beyond maturity.

Nomination facility is available in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.

The investment under this scheme qualify for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income  Tax Act. [as per prevailing rules].
TDS is deducted at source on interest if the interest amount is more than Rs.10,000/- p.a.

Tips:

Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and Senior Citizen Saving Scheme (SCSS) are the best for Senior Citizens who desire monthly/quarterly interest. Invest in MIS / SCSS and transfer interest into RD account through SB account through written request and earn higher interest rate.

26 comments for “Senior Citizens Savings Scheme

Leave a Reply