Nilanjan
Are you a senior citizen looking for a safe and lucrative investment option for your retirement? Do you want to earn a regular income from your savings without worrying about market fluctuations or tax implications? If yes, then you should consider investing in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS), a government-backed savings scheme that offers attractive returns and tax benefits to senior citizens in India.
What is SCSS?
SCSS is a savings scheme that was launched by the Government of India in 2004 under the Finance Act, 2004. The scheme is specially designed for senior citizens who are above 60 years of age or who have retired on superannuation or under a voluntary or special voluntary scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial security and stability to senior citizens by offering them a regular stream of income at a high interest rate.
How does SCSS work?
SCSS works like a fixed deposit scheme, where you can invest a lump sum amount for a fixed tenure and earn interest on it. You can open an SCSS account at any post office or authorized bank branch with a minimum deposit of Rs 250 and a maximum deposit of Rs 30 lakh. You can also open more than one account, either individually or jointly with your spouse, subject to the overall limit of Rs 30 lakh.
The tenure of SCSS is 5 years, which can be extended for another 3 years once by submitting an application within one year of maturity. The interest rate of SCSS is decided by the Government of India every quarter and is notified in the official gazette. The current interest rate for July-September 2021 quarter is 8.2% per annum, compounded annually.
The interest is payable on a quarterly basis and is credited to your account on the first day of April, July, October, and January. You can also opt for auto-credit facility, where the interest amount is directly transferred to your savings account linked with your SCSS account.
You can also avail a loan facility against your SCSS account after completing one year from the date of opening the account. The maximum loan amount is 75% of the deposit amount and the interest rate is 2% above the SCSS interest rate.
You can also withdraw your deposit amount before maturity, subject to certain conditions and penalties. You can withdraw your deposit after one year but before two years by paying a penalty of 1.5% of the deposit amount. You can withdraw your deposit after two years but before maturity by paying a penalty of 1% of the deposit amount.
What are the benefits of SCSS?
SCSS offers several benefits to senior citizens, such as:
- High and assured returns: SCSS offers one of the highest interest rates among various small savings schemes in India. The interest rate is also guaranteed by the Government of India and is not affected by market fluctuations or inflation.
- Regular income: SCSS provides a regular source of income to senior citizens by paying interest on a quarterly basis. This helps them meet their day-to-day expenses and maintain their standard of living.
- Tax benefits: SCSS offers tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The deposits made in SCSS are eligible for deduction up to Rs 1.5 lakh in a financial year. The interest earned on SCSS is also exempt from tax up to Rs 50,000 in a financial year under Section 80TTB of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Safety and security: SCSS is a government-backed scheme and hence, the principal and interest amount are fully secured and guaranteed by the Government of India. There is no risk of default or loss of capital in SCSS.
- Flexibility and convenience: SCSS offers flexibility and convenience to senior citizens by allowing them to choose their deposit amount, tenure, mode of payment, and withdrawal options. They can also easily open and operate their SCSS account at any post office or authorized bank branch across the country.
How to open an SCSS account?
To open an SCSS account, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit any post office or authorized bank branch that offers SCSS facility.
- Fill up the SCSS account opening form and submit it along with the required documents, such as identity proof, address proof, age proof, PAN card, etc.
- Deposit the desired amount in cash or cheque or demand draft in favor of the post office or bank where you are opening the account.
- Collect your passbook and receipt for your deposit.
You can also open an SCSS account online through the India Post website or the websites of authorized banks that offer online SCSS facility. You need to have a savings account with the same post office or bank where you want to open your SCSS account. You also need to have internet banking or mobile banking facility to make online deposits.
I hope you liked my blog on Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS). If you have any questions, comments, feedbacks, praises, criticisms, problems, solutions, reactions or anything else related to this topic, you can contact us through the comment section below.
