Senior citizens alert! interest rates go up on small savings schemes
Live MintInvestors in small savings schemes have a reason to rejoice, especially if they are senior citizens. Interest rates on five small savings schemes—Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, National Savings Certificate, Monthly Income Savings Scheme, Kisan Vikas Patra and post office time deposits—have been hiked by 20-110 basis points for the January-March quarter. The 8% interest rate on SCSS is higher by 25-50 bps than the highest fixed deposit rates offered by major banks to senior citizens. “Senior citizens should not fall for the bait of high rates offered by small co-operative banks and corporate FDs and just stick to major private and PSU banks," said Ashar. Senior citizens get a deduction up to ₹50,000 on interest income earned from small savings schemes and banks and post office deposits.