Retirement Made Easy: Earn Rs 11,000 Monthly With This Safe Investment For Senior Citizens | Savings and Investments News

The scheme offers an annual interest rate of 8.2%, which is reviewed quarterly. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

Senior citizens seeking a secure and steady source of income after retirement can benefit from the Post Office Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS). This government-backed scheme guarantees complete safety of investment and offers a fixed monthly return of over Rs 20,000.

The SCSS is available to senior citizens aged 60 and above. Additionally, individuals retiring between the ages of 55 and 60 can join within one month of retirement, and those opting for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) can enter at the age of 50 or above.

The scheme allows investments up to Rs 30 lakh for a single account and up to Rs 60 lakh for a joint account with a spouse. The minimum investment starts at Rs 1,000, with a tenure of 5 years, extendable by another 3 years.

Currently, the SCSS offers an annual interest rate of 8.2%, which is reviewed quarterly but never decreases due to its government backing. Interest can be taken quarterly and is credited directly to the post office or bank. It can also be reinvested. For tax purposes, the interest is taxable, but there is an exemption of up to Rs 1 lakh under Section 80C. TDS is deducted if the interest exceeds Rs 50,000.

To illustrate, an investment of Rs 15 lakh at an 8.2% interest rate will yield an annual interest of Rs 1,23,000, which is approximately Rs 11,750 per month. This amount is fixed and does not fluctuate with market conditions. Investing your provident fund or gratuity money in SCSS can ensure a comfortable post-retirement life, especially for those concerned about inflation.

The SCSS can be easily opened at any post office or registered bank with necessary documents like Aadhaar, PAN, a photo, and proof of investment source. While the scheme is virtually risk-free, there is a 1% penalty for withdrawals before 5 years and a 2% penalty within the first year. Therefore, it is best suited for long-term financial planning.

While many people consider stocks or mutual funds for retirement planning, the SCSS is ideal for those who prefer a risk-free option. This scheme is particularly beneficial for the elderly, as it provides a fixed monthly income to cover household expenses, even as health and family costs rise.