Investment Plan - Best Investment Plan for 2020

4. Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS)

• An individual of the Age of 60 years or more may open the account.

• An individual of the age of 55 years or more but less than 60 years who has retired on superannuation or under VRS can also open account subject to the condition that the account is opened within one month of receipt of retirement benefits and amount should not exceed the amount of retirement benefits.

• There shall be only one deposit in the account in multiple of INR.1000/- maximum not exceeding INR 15 lakh.

• From 1.07.2017, interest rates are 8.3% per annum, payable from the date of deposit of 31st March/30th Sept/31st December in the first instance & thereafter, interest shall be payable on 31st March, 30th June, 30th Sept and 31st December.

• Maturity period is 5 years.

• A depositor may operate more than one account in individual capacity or jointly with spouse (husband/wife).

• Account can be opened by cash for the amount below INR 1 lakh and for INR 1 Lakh and above by Cheque only.

• In case of Cheque, the date of realization of Cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Joint account can be opened with spouse only and first depositor in Joint account is the investor.

• Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office, through PDCs or Money Order.

• In case of SCSS accounts, quarterly interest shall be payable on 1st working day of April, July, October and January. It will be applicable at all CBS Post Offices.

• Quarterly interest of SCSS accounts standing at CBS Post offices can be credited in any savings account standing at any other CBS post offices.

• Premature closure is allowed after one year on deduction of an amount equal to1.5% of the deposit & after 2 years 1% of the deposit.

• After maturity, the account can be extended for further three years within one year of the maturity by giving application in prescribed format. In such cases, account can be closed at any time after expiry of one year of extension without any deduction.

• TDS is deducted at source on interest if the interest amount is more than INR 10,000 p.a.

• Investment under this scheme qualifies for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from 1.4.2007.

5. Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD)

• Account may be opened by individual

• Account can be opened by cash/Cheque and in case of Cheque the date of realization of Cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account

• Interest payable annually but calculated quarterly. From 01.01.2018, interest rates are as follows:

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another x Minimum Amount for opening of account is INR 200 and in multiple thereof. There is NO maximum limit.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account

• Joint account can be opened by two adults.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name

• In CBS Post offices, when any TD account is matured, the same TD account will be automatically renewed for the period for which the account was initially opened. Example 2 Years TD account will be automatically renewed for 2 Years. Interest rate applicable on the day of maturity will be applied

• The investment under 5 Years TD qualifies for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from 1.4.2007.

6. Post Office Savings Account

• Account can be opened by cash only

• Minimum Amount for opening of non-Cheque facility account is INR 20/-

• Minimum balance to be maintained in a non-Cheque facility account is INR 50/-

• Cheque facility available if an account is opened with INR 500/- and for this purpose minimum balance of INR 500/-in an account is to be maintained

• Cheque facility can be taken in an existing account also x Interest rate is 4.0% per annum on individual/ joint accounts

• Interest earned is Tax Free up to INR 10,000/- per year from financial year 2012-13

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another x One account can be opened in one post office

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account

• Joint account can be opened by two or three adults

• At least one transaction of deposit or withdrawal in three financial years is necessary to keep the account active

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name

• Deposits and withdrawals can be done through any electronic mode in CBS Post offices.

• ATM facility is available

7. 5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposit Account (RD)

• Account can be opened by cash/Cheque and in case of Cheque the date of deposit shall be date of presentation of Cheque

• Minimum Amount for opening of account INR 10 per month or any amount in multiples of INR 5. No maximum limit. There is NO maximum limit.

• From 01.01.2018, interest rates is 6.9% per annum (quarterly compounded)

• On maturity INR 10 account fetches INR 717.43. Can be continued for another 5 years on year to year basis

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account

• Joint account can be opened by two adults

• Subsequent deposit can be made up to 15th day of next month if account is opened up to 15th of a calendar month and up to last working day of next month if account is opened between 16th day and last working day of a calendar month.

• If subsequent deposit is not made up to the prescribed day, a default fee is charged for each default, default fee @ 0.05 Rs for every 5 rupee shall be charged. After 4 regular defaults, the account becomes discontinued and can be revived in two months but if the same is not revived within this period, no further deposit can be made.

• If in any RD account, there is monthly default amount, the depositor has to first pay the defaulted monthly deposit with default fee and then pay the current month deposit. This will be applicable for both CBS and non CBS Post offices.

• There is rebate on advance deposit of at least 6 instalments

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name

• One withdrawal up to 50% of the balance allowed after one year

• Full maturity value allowed on R.D. Accounts restricted to that of INR. 50/- denomination in case of death of depositor subject to fulfilment of certain conditions.

• In case of deposits made in RD accounts by Cheque, date of credit of Cheque into Government accounts shall be treated as date of deposit.

8. Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Account (MIS)

• Account may be opened by individual.

• Account can be opened by cash/Cheque and in case of Cheque the date of realization of Cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account.

• Joint account can be opened by two or three adults.

• All joint account holders have equal share in each joint account.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.

• Maturity period is 5 years from 1.12.2011.

• From 01.01.2018, interest rate is 7.3% per annum payable monthly.

• Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office, through PDCs or ECS./In case of MIS accounts standing at CBS Post offices, monthly interest can be credited into savings account standing at any CBS Post offices.

• Can be prematurely en-cashed after one year but before 3 years at the discount of 2% of the deposit and after 3 years at the discount of 1% of the deposit. (Discount means deduction from the deposit.)

• A bonus of 5% on principal amount is admissible on maturity in respect of MIS accounts opened on or after 8.12.07 and up to 30.11.2011. No bonus is payable on the deposits made on or after 1.12.2011.

• In multiples of INR 1500, Maximum investment limit is INR 4.5 lakh in single account and INR 9 lakh in joint account.
  An individual can invest maximum INR 4.5 lakh in MIS (including his share in joint accounts)
  For calculation of share of an individual in joint account, each joint holder have equal share in each joint account.

9. 5-Years National Savings Certificate (VIII Issue)

• A single holder type certificate can be purchased by, an adult for himself or on behalf of a minor or by a minor.

• Minimum Amount for opening of account is Rs. 100 and in multiples of Rs. 100. there is NO Maximum Limit

• From 1.01.2018, interest rates is 7.6% compounded annually but payable at maturity.

• Deposits qualify for tax rebate under Sec. 80C of IT Act.

• The interest accruing annually but deemed to be reinvested under Section 80C of IT Act.

• In case of NSC VIII, transfer of certificates from one person to another can be done only once from date of issue to date of maturity.

• At the time of transfer of Certificates from one person to another, old certificates will not be discharged. Name of old holder shall be rounded and name of new holder shall be written on the old certificate and on the purchase application(in case of non CBS Post offices) under dated signatures of the authorized Postmaster along with his designation stamp and date stamp of Post office.

• National Savings Certificate VIIIth Issue-Maturity/Interest Accretion Table. Year wise interest rates, Interest accretion and maturity value

10. 15-Year Public Provident Fund Account (PPF)

• An individual can open account with INR 100/- but has to deposit minimum of INR 500 in a financial year and maximum INR 1,50,000/-

• Minimum Amount for opening of account is INR. 500 Maximum INR. 1,50,000 in a financial year. Deposits can be made in lump-sum or in 12 instalments.

• From 01.01.2018, interest rate is 7.6% per annum (compounded yearly).

• Joint account cannot be opened.

• Account can be opened by cash/Cheque and In case of Cheque, the date of realization of Cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account. Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• The subscriber can open another account in the name of minors but subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Maturity period is 15 years but the same can be extended within one year of maturity for further 5 years and so on.

• Maturity value can be retained without extension and without further deposits also.

• Premature closure is not allowed before 15 years.

• Deposits qualify for deduction from income under Sec. 80C of IT Act.

• Interest is completely tax-free.

• Withdrawal is permissible every year from 7th financial year from the year of opening account.

• Loan facility available from 3rd financial year.

• No attachment under court decree order.

• The PPF account can be opened in a Post Office which is Double handed and above.

11. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)

• Certificate can be purchased by an adult for himself or on behalf of a minor or by two adults.

• Minimum Amount for opening of account is Rs. 1000/- and in multiples of Rs. 1000. There is NO Maximum Limit.

• From 01.01.2018, interest rate is 7.3% compounded annually

• Amount Invested doubles in 118 months (9 years & 10 months)

• KVP can be purchased from any Departmental Post office.

• Facility of nomination is available.

• Certificate can be transferred from one person to another and from one post office to another.

• Certificate can be encash after 2 & 1/2 years from the date of issue.

12. Tax Saving 5 years Fixed Deposits (FD)

• Only Individuals and HUFs can invest in tax saving fixed deposit(FD) scheme.

• The FD can be placed with a minimum amount which varies from bank to bank.

• These deposits have a lock-in period of 5 years. Premature withdrawals and loan against these FD's are not allowed.

• A person can invest in these FD's through any public or private sector bank except for cooperative and rural banks.

• Investment in Post Office Time Deposit of 5 years also qualifies for deduction under section 80 (C) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

• Post Office Fixed deposit can be transferred from one Post office to another.

• One can hold these FD's either in 'Single' or 'Joint' mode of holding. In the case the mode of holding is joint, the tax benefit is available only to the first holder.

• The interest earned is taxable as per the investor's tax bracket and therefore, TDS is applicable. The interest on deposits is payable on either monthly/quarterly basis or can be reinvested. A person can avoid TDS deduction on the interest earned by submitting Form 15G (or Form 15H for senior citizens) to the bank

• Nomination facility is available for these FDs.

• Most banks offer slightly higher interest rates on FDs to senior citizens (as compared to the interest rate offered on the same FD to a non-senior citizen). This interest rate differential exists for tax saving FDs also.

• As per the present income tax laws, under Section 80C of the income tax act, you can claim deduction for investments up to Rs 1.5 lakh in tax-saving fixed deposits. The amount so invested is to be deducted from gross total income to arrive at taxable income.

13. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Any citizen of India whose age is between 18 Yrs to 40 Yrs can join this scheme. x He should have a savings account or must open the savings account.

• One person can open only one account.

• You can open the APY scheme by visiting the bank where your savings account is.

• You will start to receive the pension when you turn 60 years of age.

• If the subscriber dies before the age of 60 years, his/her spouse would be given an option to continue contributing as usual, for the remaining period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years.

• If the spouse of the deceased not interested to continue the APY account, then he or she can close the account there itself and can claim the amount.

• In case of death of subscriber, the same pension would be available to the spouse and on the death of both of them (subscriber and spouse), the pension wealth accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber would be returned to the nominee.

• You can change the mode (monthly/quarterly/half yearly) of auto debit facility once in a year during the month of April.

• You can opt to decrease or increase pension amount during the course of accumulation phase, once a year.

• It is mandatory to provide nominee details in APY account. If the subscriber is married, the spouse will be the default nominee. Unmarried subscribers can nominate any other person as nominee & they have to provide spouse details after marriage.

• Exit before age 60 would be permitted only in exceptional circumstances, i.e., in the event of the death of the beneficiary or terminal disease.

• There is guaranteed minimum monthly pension for the subscribers ranging between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 5000 per month.

• APY Tax Benefits under Sec.80CCD(1):

• The maximum benefit available is Rs.1.5 lakh (including Sec.80C limit).

• An individual’s maximum 20% of annual income (Earlier it was 10% but after Budget 2017, it increased to 20%) contribution will be eligible for deduction.

• As I said above, this section will form the part of Sec.80C limit.

• APY Tax Benefits under Sec.80CCD(1B):-

• This is the additional tax benefit of up to Rs.50,000 eligible for income tax deduction and was introduced in the Budget 2015

• Introduced in Budget 2015. One can avail the benefit of this Section 80CCD (1B) from FY 2015-16.

• Both self-employed and employees are eligible for availing this deduction.

• This is over and above Sec.80CCD (1)