Everyone believes that hard-earned money should be invested in ways that yield high returns. However, many people prefer stable returns without risking their capital.
Typically, high returns come from high-risk investments. Fortunately, post office savings schemes offer various options for higher returns than fixed deposits while minimizing risk.
Financial experts suggest that Post Office Savings Schemes are the best choice for senior citizens who wish to avoid the stock market.
Recently, many banks have begun offering reasonable interest rates on fixed deposits, leading people to reconsider where to invest their funds.
Despite this, post office savings schemes still provide better returns than bank fixed deposits, as the central government guarantees them.
Schemes like the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme and National Savings Certificates offer higher returns than most fixed deposits. The government revises these interest rates every three months, so investors should stay informed.
Currently, large banks offer fixed deposit interest rates ranging from 7% to 7.50%. In contrast, post office and retirement schemes can offer maximum interest rates exceeding 8%. Therefore, it is essential to determine your financial goals to decide on the appropriate investment.
Each scheme has a different duration and lock-in period. For instance, a Public Provident Fund has a maturity period of 15 years, while the National Savings Certificate has a lock-in period of 5 years.
Investors should save according to their specific financial objectives. Fixed deposits typically offer greater liquidity than post office schemes, allowing you to withdraw money whenever needed.
Additionally, most post office schemes provide tax exemptions. Only tax-saving deposits with a tenure of 5 years in bank deposits are exempt from tax.
To illustrate investment returns from post office schemes for an investment of ₹10,000:
- The one-year time deposit scheme currently offers an interest rate of 6.9%, which amounts to ₹708 in interest per year.
- For a two-year deposit at 7% interest, you would earn ₹719.
- A three-year time deposit at 7.10% would yield ₹729 in interest.
- For a five-year time deposit at 7.5%, the interest would amount to ₹771.
- The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme offers ₹205 in interest every three months at an 8.20% interest rate.
- If you open a monthly income account, you will receive ₹62 per month at an interest rate of 7.4%.
- The National Savings Certificate allows you to accumulate ₹14,490 at a 7.7% interest rate upon maturity.
- The Public Provident Fund is currently at a 7.10% interest rate.
- Kisan Vikas Patra and Mahila Samman Savings Certificate both earn 7.5% interest.
- The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers an interest rate of 8.2%.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to assess your financial goals and select the investment that aligns best with them.