Now Reading: PPF, SCSS, SSY: Choose right scheme for your 2026 goals
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PPF, SCSS, SSY: Choose right scheme for your 2026 goals
As of August 8, 2026, the government-backed Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers 7.1 per cent interest per annum, while the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) each pay…
The Story in Brief
As of August 8, 2026, the government-backed Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers 7.1 per cent interest per annum, while the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) each pay 8.2 per cent per annum. PPF has a 15-year tenure and a Rs 1.5 lakh annual investment cap. SCSS is for those aged 60 and above, with a five-year term and a Rs 30 lakh maximum investment. SSY, for a girl child below 10 years, runs for 21 years and also has a Rs 1.5 lakh annual limit.
All three schemes carry very low risk, are backed by the government, and offer tax benefits under Section 80C. PPF and SSY enjoy EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) tax treatment, while SCSS interest is taxable. Livemint notes these schemes remain popular due to geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain disruptions driving global oil and gas price rises.
The Indian Opinion
The hype around these schemes often ignores one thing: inflation. The 8.2 per cent SCSS return, though high, is taxable for many seniors and may not beat real inflation. PPF's 7.1 per cent is tax-free but locked for 15 years. The real test for an investor is not just picking a scheme but asking: will this return let my money grow or just keep pace with prices?
Source: livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
