Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)
This scheme is ensuring social security for elderly well to do senior citizens since 2004. This scheme was first introduced by government of India to deliver it via post offices.
Interest Rate: 8.2 % per annum
Deposit : one time lump sum
Minimum Subscription amount: 1000/-
Maximum: in multiple of 1000/- up to 30 lakh.
Eligibility:
a). any individual above 60 years of age.
b). any individual who was civilian staff, aged between 55 to 60 years, with a condition to invest the money in scheme within a month from receiving retirement benefit.
c). any individual who was defense staff, aged between 50 years to 60 years, with a condition to invest the money in scheme within a month from receiving retirement benefit.
d). account can be individual or joint with spouse only, however capital amount will be attributed to first account holder only.
Income tax benefit: Yes, under section 80C
Interest payment: quarterly 31st March/1st April, 30th June/1st July, 30th September/1st October, 31st December/1st January. Payment will be transferred in post office savings account.
Tax: interest is Taxable at source, if it exceeds 50000/- in a financial year. To stop TDS one need to submit form 15 G/15H.
Premature closure: yes, Can be closed anytime on demand with conditions
a). If account closed prior of anniversary of account, no interest payable and paid interest any will be recovered.
b). If account closed after first anniversary but before second anniversary of account, 1.5% will be deducted from principal.
c). If account closed after second anniversary but before fifth anniversary of account, 1% will be deducted from principal.
d). after fifth year extended account can be closed without any extra charge, however account should compete 6th anniversary.
e). 5th anniversary of account is date of maturity, account holder need to submit either account closing application or application to extend it prior to date of anniversary.
d). after 5th anniversary account will be extended for set of three years, means one need to extend the account within the subsequent third anniversary of account.
e). spouse can continue the scheme after death of first account holder, whoever subject should be eligible for the scheme, without another account in his/her name.
d). after maturity account will pay savings account interest rate, however it can be extended within one year of maturity. Therefore one need to remember the maturity date, however one year is there for bad memory to gain get the benefit of scheme.
Note: For any other query please visit nearest post office or post comments in jomerchant for community discussion.