Post Office scheme: If you want guaranteed returns in the long term, then you can invest in post office schemes. On some schemes of the post office, investors are getting more interest than the fixed deposits (FDs) of many banks.
Post Office Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) are some of the schemes where you can get more than 7 per cent returns. At the same time, in another popular scheme Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), you can take advantage of 6.9 percent compound interest annually. Here we will tell what is special in the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) scheme.
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
KVP is an interesting scheme. This scheme can double your deposit amount in 10 years and 4 months (124 months) at the prevailing interest rate. If you start a KVP deposit of Rs 1 lakh today, it will increase to Rs 2 lakh in the next 124 months.
The current interest rate of 6.9% on KVP deposits is higher than that of many bank fixed deposits. Let us have a look at some of the key features of this small savings scheme-
Minimum and Maximum Deposit: You can deposit a minimum of Rs 1000 in KVP and then in multiples of Rs 100. There is no maximum limit for investment under this scheme. You can open any number of KVP accounts.
Maturity: The amount deposited under KVP matures as per the period prescribed by the Ministry of Finance from time to time. Currently, if you deposit today, it will mature after 124 months. However, premature withdrawal is allowed in special circumstances.
Transfer : In case of death of the account holder, the KVP account for the nominee/legal heir can be transferred from person to person- to the joint holder on the death of the account holder; On the orders of the Court and mortgage of the account to the Specified Authority.
Should I invest in Small Savings Scheme?
Small savings schemes like KVP offered by the post office offer guaranteed returns to investors who cannot afford to lose their hard earned money. Apart from this, many post office schemes like PPF, SSY and SCSS offer higher interest rates and tax benefits as compared to term deposits of banks.
However, if you are not afraid of taking risks, you can invest in market-oriented schemes like mutual funds and stocks. Here you can get higher returns and double the money faster than in the post office scheme. But before investing in mutual funds or stocks, you should do thorough research and consult a professional financial advisor.
