Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) - Interest Rate 2024, Tax Benefits, Eligibility, Rules & Opening SCSS Account

The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) is primarily for the senior citizens of India. The scheme offers a regular stream of income with the highest safety and tax saving benefits. It is an apt choice of investment for those over 60 years of age. In this article, we will learn about the following:

• Meaning of SCSS
• Features of the SCSS
• Eligibility
• Interest Rate
• Benefits of SCSS
• Procedure to Apply for the SCSS
• Documents required
• Tax Benefits

What is the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)?

Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) is a government-backed retirement benefits programme. Senior citizens resident in India can invest a lump sum in the scheme, individually or jointly, and get access to regular income along with tax benefits. It is a Post Office savings scheme. Senior citizens can open an SCSS account to get the benefits of the SCSS. They can open an account in a Post Office branch or an authorised bank. 

Features of SCSS

Secure investment

SCSS is a government-backed scheme. Hence, the invested amount is secure and there is guarantee of returns upon its maturity. 

Interest payment

Individuals who open an SCSS account get an interest on the principal deposited amount at the rate fixed by the government. From 01.01.2024, for the first time interest will be payable from the date of deposit to 31st March/30th June/30th September/31st December and thereafter they will receive a quarterly interest against their deposited amount. Interest payment will be credited to an individual’s account on the first date of April, July, October, and January.

Mode of deposit

An individual can deposit the money in cash when the amount is below Rs.1 lakh. When the deposit amount is above Rs.1 lakh, an individual should make the payment by cheque.

Maturity of the scheme 

The maturity period of SCSS is 5 years. However, individuals can extend the maturity period for 3 more years by submitting an application. The application for an extension of maturity should be given in the last year.

Nominations

Individuals can appoint nominees either while opening an SCSS account or after opening the account.

Number of accounts 

Individuals can open more than one SCSS account. They may open another account either by themselves or a joint account with their spouse. However, joint accounts can be opened only with the spouse, and the initial depositor is the investor who first deposits in the joint account.  

Minimum and maximum deposit amount 

The minimum deposit is Rs.1,000 and the maximum is Rs.30 lakh. The deposits can be made in multiples of Rs.1,000.

Transfer of an account 

An SCSS account can be transferred from a post office to a bank and vice versa. 

Premature closure

Individuals can withdraw the amount and close the account at any time on an application in Form-2 subject to the following conditions

• Closed before one year - interest paid in the account shall be recovered from the principal amount.
• Closed after one year but before two years - an amount equal to 1.5% will be deducted from the principal amount and shall be levied as a penalty
• Closed after 2 years - 1% of the principal amount will be deducted and shall be levied as a penalty

Multiple withdrawals from an account shall not be permitted.

Eligibility for SCSS

The following individuals can open a SCSS account with a post office or bank:

• Individuals above 60 years.
• Retired civilian employees above 55 years and below 60 years. However, the investment should be made within 1 month of receipt of retirement benefits.
• Retired defense employees above 50 years and below 60 years. However, the investment should be made within 1 month of receipt of retirement benefits.
• Account can be opened in an individual capacity or jointly with spouse only. The whole of the amount deposited in the joint account will be attributed only to the first account holder.
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) are not eligible to open a SCSS.

SCSS Interest Rate

The current interest rate applicable to SCSS is 8.2% p.a. This interest rate is applicable from 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2025. The interest will be paid on a quarterly basis. 

How SCSS Works?

Here is how an SCSS account works:

• Open an SCSS account by depositing a minimum amount of Rs.1,000 up to Rs.30 lakh in a single instalment.
• The deposit amount is restricted to the retirement benefits received and must be deposited in the SCSS account within a month from the date of receiving the retirement benefits from the employer.
• Retirement benefits here means any payment due to the account holder on account of retirement on superannuation or otherwise. It includes provident fund dues, retirement or superannuation gratuity, commuted value of pension, leave encashment, savings element of Group Savings Linked Insurance Scheme payable by the employer on retirement, retirement-cum-withdrawal benefit under the Employees’ Family Pension Scheme and ex-gratia payments under a voluntary or a special voluntary retirement scheme.
• If the deposit is in excess of the ceiling amount, the excess amount shall be refunded to the account holder immediately.
• Interest on the deposit will be paid once every quarter.
• Interest can be drawn through auto credit into the savings account held at the same Post Office branch or through ECS (Electronic Clearing Service).
• The account can be prematurely closed at any time, after the date of opening.
• The account may be extended for a further period for 3 years from the date of maturity.
• The extension can be done within 1 year from the date of maturity.

SCSS Calculator – Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Calculator

Benefits of SCSS

Here are a few reasons on why you should invest in SCSS:

• SCSS is an Indian government-sponsored investment scheme and hence is considered safe and most reliable.
• SCSS account includes a simple process and can be opened at any authorised bank or any post office in India.
• The account is transferable across India.
• The scheme offers a high interest rate on the deposit.
• Get an income tax deduction of up to Rs.1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Indian Tax Act, 1961.
• The 5-year tenure of the account can be extended for another 3 years.

SCSS Application Process

You can open an SCSS account either at an authorised bank branch or at a post office branch. If the bank allows, you can open the SCSS account online on the bank’s internet banking portal or mobile banking app. There is no option to open the SCSS account online with the post office. 

You can also download the SCSS application form from the India Post website. You need to fill the form and submit it with the authorised post office along with the required documents and pay the deposit to open the account.

How to fill the Post Office SCSS Application Form?

You can collect the SCSS application form either at the post office branch or on the official website of the India Post. The process of filling the application form is:

• Enter the post office branch name on the top left corner of the form.
• If you already have a savings account with the post office, enter the account number.
• Under the ‘To’ section, enter the branch address of the Post Office.
• Paste the account holder’s photograph.
• Now, write the account holder’s name in the first blank space and tick on ‘SCSS’ option among the other options.
• You don’t have to select any options provided under the ‘Additional Facilities Available’ section as they are valid only if you are applying to open a savings account.
• Next, select the account holder type, i.e. self, minor through guardian, or person of unsound mind through guardian.
• Select the account type, whether single, either or survivor, or all or survivor.
• Move to the field number 2 where you have to enter the deposit amount in figures and then in words. If you are presenting a cheque, write down the cheque number and date.
• Enter the personal details of account holder(s).
• Tick the cells where you have provided the requested document proofs at the end of the table.
• Tick the SCSS declaration and enter the details.
• Signatures of all the account holders must be added at the end of the page 1 of the form and in Page 2.
• Mention the nominee for the account and the relevant details of the nominee you have chosen. Add the signatures of all account holders to validate this information.

How to Open a SCSS Account with a Bank?

Below are the steps to open a SCSS account with an authorised bank:

Step 1: Go to the nearest authorised bank branch and collect the SCSS application form.  
Step 2: Fill in the necessary information on the application form.  
Step 3: Attach the required documents.  
Step 4: Submit the application form, documents and the deposit money with the bank staff.  
Step 5: The bank employees will process the application and open the SCSS account. 

Which Banks Offer SCSS?

The following banks offer SCSS:

• Allahabad Bank
• Andhra bank
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Bank of Baroda
• Bank of India
• Corporation Bank
• Canara Bank
• Central Bank of India
• Dena Bank
• IDBI Bank
• Indian Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank
• Oriental bank of Commerce
• Punjab National Bank
• State bank of Bikaner & Jaipur
• State Bank of Hyderabad
• State Bank of India
• State Bank of Mysore
• State Bank of Patiala
• State Bank of Travancore
• Syndicate Bank
• UCO Bank
• Union Bank of India
• United Bank of India
• Vijaya Bank
• ICICI Bank

Along with these banks, the Post Office also offers SCSS.

Documents Required to Open SCSS Account

• Two passport-size photographs
• Identity proof, such as a PAN card, Voter ID, Aadhaar card or passport.
• Proof of address, such as Aadhaar card or telephone bills.
• Proof of age, such as PAN card, Voter ID, birth certificate or senior citizen card.

All the documents must be self-attested.

Tax Benefits Under the SCSS

Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, individuals are eligible for tax deductions on investments up to Rs.1.5 lakh. If the total interest in all SCSS accounts exceeds Rs.50,000 p.a., TDS will be deducted.

To sum it up, SCSS is a very good scheme for senior citizens who want a decent risk free return on a corpus fund. At 8.2% p.a. interest rate and an investment amount of Rs.30 lakh, the monthly income is stated to be Rs.20,500 per month for each investor. 

Other Articles: 
1. Disadvantages of Senior Citizen Savings Scheme 
2. Post Office Saving Scheme 
3. National Savings Certificate 
4. Post Office Scheme To Double Your Money 
5. Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Scheme 
6. Ponmagan Scheme in Post Office