Senior Citizens Saving Scheme: Eligibility, Benefits, Documents Required

06^th Jan 2026...

Published By : Team 811

Senior Citizens Saving Scheme Latest News

The current annual Senior Citizens Saving Scheme interest rate is 8.2%.
The tenure of 5 years can be stretched to another 3 years.

Senior Citizens Saving Scheme Key Takeaways

The Senior Citizens Saving Scheme is a safe and reliable investment option for senior citizens.
Quarterly payouts under the scheme help create a regular income source post-retirement.
A minimum investment of ₹1,000 and a maximum of ₹30 lakhs can be made for a tenure of 5 years (extendable).
The Senior Citizens Saving Scheme is eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C.

Introduction

In 2004, the Indian Government launched the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme as a senior citizen welfare initiative. Individuals of 60 years of age or more (senior citizens) got a safe, secure, and reliable investment option to post-retirement financial security. Investment can be made as low as ₹1,000 and up to ₹30 lakhs (significantly increased from the previous ₹ lakh threshold) under this scheme.

The SCSS interest rate for the FY 2025-26 is 8.2% and the tenure is years, which can be further extended up to 3 years. The account holders receive assured, quarterly interest payments on April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1. Under Section 80C, this scheme is also eligible for tax deduction up to ₹1.5 lakhs in a fiscal year.

What is the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme?

The Senior Citizens Saving Scheme is a government-backed, low-risk investment option for senior citizens of India. It generates returns at the preset interest rates with a tenure of 5 years (extendable up to 3 more years) and offers quarterly interest payout. The senior citizens get access to a regular income, building financial support and security after their retirement.

Who Benefits from the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

Senior citizens aged 60 years or above

Retired individuals aged between 55 to 60 years (within 1 month of receiving the retirement benefit)

Defence personnel aged over 50

Key Features & Benefits of Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

The following are the key SCSS benefits and features:

High-Interest Rate: The scheme offers an interest rate of 8.2% per year.
Variable Interest Rate: The interest rate of SCSS gets revised quarterly, which essentially means that the rate may fluctuate four times a year.
Assured Returns: Being a government-backed scheme, SCSS offers assured returns and is safer as compared to market-linked investment options that always fluctuate.
Maturity Duration: The scheme has a maturity period of 5 years. This tenure can be extended for an additional 3 years by submitting Form B, with interest applied as per the prevailing quarterly rate.
Deposit Limit: Individuals can open an account with a minimum deposit of ₹1,000. The maximum deposit allowed is ₹30 lakh.
Taxation of SCSS: The invested principal enjoys tax deduction up to ₹1.5 lakhs under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The interest is taxable and according to the taxpayer’s tax slabs. Senior citizens with income below taxable limits can submit Form 15H to avoid TDS.
Hassle-Free Process: People can open their accounts at any post office or any authorised bank.
Account Closure: Premature withdrawals attract deductions. In case of closure before 2 years, there is a penalty of 1.5%, while closure after 2 years attracts a deduction of 1%. Extended accounts can be closed after one year without penalty.
Quarterly Disbursals: The interest is payable quarterly and credited on the 1st of April, July, October, and January.
Nomination Option: The account holder can nominate a beneficiary. In case of the account holder’s death before maturity, the nominee gets the eligible amount.

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Eligibility Criteria of Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

Indian Citizens: Must be 60 years of age or more.

Retirees: Must be aged between 55 and 60 years and have opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) or Superannuation*

Retired Defence Personnel: Must be above 50 years and below 60 years of age*

Note: *Investment must be made within a month of availing the retirement benefits.

Exclusions

Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs)

Non-resident Indians (NRIs)

Documents Required for Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

KYC documents (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, PAN Card, Passport)

Utility Bills (telephone bill, electricity bill)

Senior citizen card or birth certificate (case-specific)

2 passport-size photographs

Application Process of Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

One needs to open a Senior Citizen Savings Account to invest under the scheme. Accounts can be opened without any hassle, both online and offline. It can be an individual or joint account.

Offline Application Process

Step 1: Visit your nearest post office.

Step 2: Fill up the application form.

Step 3: Submit the duly filled application with the required documents (self-attested)

Online Application Process

Step 1: Visit the digital portal of the bank.

Step 2: Navigate to the Senior Citizen Savings Account section.

Step 3: Provide the required details and upload the required documents.

Check Status for Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

Once the account is opened, you can check the status by:

Visiting the bank branch.

Visiting the online portal of the bank.

Benefit Disbursal

The interest generated under the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme accumulates directly in the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme. Account holders can withdraw the money upon maturity. Premature withdrawal is allowed, but it may attract a penalty.

Conclusion

One of the most reliable savings schemes for senior citizens in India is the Senior Citizens Saving Scheme. The safety provided by the government, high assured returns, and quarterly payouts provide great flexibility, security, and peace of mind.

While the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme 2024 offered stable returns, an 8.2% interest rate has been set for the FY 2025-26. The tax efficiency makes this scheme more financially rewarding.

FAQs on Senior Citizens Saving Scheme

1. Is 80C applicable to the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme?

Yes. The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme is eligible for tax deduction benefits under Section 80C (up to 1.5 lakhs).

2. Is there a maximum to invest in the Senior Citizen Saving Scheme?

Individuals above the age of 60 can invest in the Senior Citizen Saving Scheme.

3. What is the current interest rate for the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme?

The current Senior Citizen Savings Scheme 2025 interest rate is 8.2% per annum.

4. Can a person with a power of attorney sign the nomination form?

The power of attorney does not give one the right to sign the nomination form instead of the nominee.

5. What is the maximum deposit limit for a joint Senior Citizen Savings account?

The maximum deposit amount under the joint Senior Citizen Savings account is ₹30 lakhs. The limit is the same for the individual and joint accounts.

6. What happens if the primary account holder of a joint Senior Citizen Savings account passes away?

If the primary account holder passes away, the account can be continued.

7. Is there any nomination fee?

No, there is no fee for prescribing, changing, or cancelling a nomination.

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Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and government notifications as available at the time of writing. Government schemes, eligibility criteria, benefits, coverage limits, and implementation details are subject to change, modification, or discontinuation at the discretion of the respective government authorities without prior notice.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or current validity of the information contained herein and does not assume any responsibility for discrepancies arising due to subsequent policy updates or revisions. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Bank or its employees and should not be construed as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.
Readers are advised to verify the latest details directly from official government portals or authorized sources before relying on or acting upon the information provided. Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., its directors, employees, or contributors shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article.