PFF, SCSS, Time Deposit Accounts' Norms Eased: Here's How Depositors Will Benefit

Amidst back-to-back festive seasons, the government has made key changes in certain small saving schemes to attract depositors and intensify competition with other financial services providers like banks and NBFCs. These are the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) which are some of the most trusted and sought-after savings schemes for the working-class population of India. The current modifications by the Ministry of Finance through their Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) facilitate a more flexible appeal for investors or account holders.

There are currently nine small saving schemes offered by the central government for Indian citizens to participate in and attain appropriate interest from their funds, parked in these saving schemes which are offered by almost all public and private sector banks.

Changes in PPF Interest Calculation for Premature Withdrawals

Earlier, if the PPF account was withdrawn prematurely, then the interest calculated was 1% less than the agreed rate at which interest was deposited since the opening date or the extension date of the account. As per the new notification by the DEA, PPF interest calculation for premature withdrawals would be similarly 1% less than the interest periodically credited from the date of commencement of the current block period of five years.

Extension of Tenure To Initiate SCSS Accounts and more

Once a government or private employee retires, they have only a month of breather before they submit their financial proofs, retirement benefits and required documents to begin with their SCSS account. According to the new update stated with a gazette notification, an individual from now on will have additional tenure of around three months after their retirement to initiate an SCSS account for higher interest earnings benefit.

In addition to this, the spouse of the retired government employees can also invest funds in this particular scheme with a high-interest premium.

If the SCSS account is extended on maturity, the interest will be calculated on the date of maturity

One per cent of the deposits would be deducted from this account if funds are withdrawn before the end of the first year.

Earlier, only one extension of three years was allowed and now, there are no limits for extension, which would allow account holders to extend consistently by opting for a block of three years.

Altered Interest Structure For Time Deposits

A new update for the National Savings Time Deposit programme is that the interest rate for premature withdrawals before five years would now be calculated with the rate applicable as per the Post Office Savings Account Scheme. This adjustment turns out to be beneficial for depositors as time deposit interest rates offered by the banks for less than five years are in the range of 6% to 6.5%, while the interest rate slab for less than five years for post office deposits stands at 7%.

The primary nine government savings schemes are PPF, SCSS, Post Office Monthly Income Scheme, Post Office Time Deposit, National Savings Certificate, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna, Kisan Vikas Patra, Atal Pension Yojna, and Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana. Some of these schemes also help with income tax benefits along with SCSS and PPF, through which interest earnings of almost Rs. 1.5 lakhs can be deducted from tax payable in a financial year.

At present, SCSS offers the highest interest rate among other small saving schemes, followed by Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna. The government revises interest rates every three-quarters, and the current rates are for the third quarter of FY24 (October-December 2023).

The following are the interest rates offered for investing in the government-promoted savings schemes: