SCSS interest rate: 8.2% for October-December 2026
Valid 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Last checked 29 October 2026. Next review: on or around 31 December 2026, for January-March 2027.
The Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme pays 8.2% a year for October-December 2026, paid out every quarter. The rate is locked for the full term on the day you invest. Unchanged from July-September 2026. Rates have now been held for ten consecutive quarters.
Quarterly income at 8.2%
| Deposit | Every quarter | Every year | Over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹5,00,000 | ₹10,250 | ₹41,000 | ₹2,05,000 |
| ₹10,00,000 | ₹20,500 | ₹82,000 | ₹4,10,000 |
| ₹15,00,000 | ₹30,750 | ₹1,23,000 | ₹6,15,000 |
| ₹30,00,000 | ₹61,500 | ₹2,46,000 | ₹12,30,000 |
Interest is paid out each quarter, not compounded. Figures are before tax. Try your own figures in the small savings rates table.
Key rules
- Open to people aged 60 and above, with some exceptions for retired employees aged 55 to 60.
- Maximum deposit ₹30 lakh per person across all SCSS accounts.
- Term of 5 years, which can be extended once by 3 years.
- Interest is paid every quarter and is taxable at your slab rate.
- Deposits qualify for 80C in the old tax regime.
Compare with every other scheme on the small savings rates page, or read which scheme suits whom.
Questions people ask
What is the SCSS interest rate now?
8.2% a year for deposits made in October-December 2026, paid quarterly. Unchanged from July-September 2026. Rates have now been held for ten consecutive quarters.
How much does SCSS pay on ₹30 lakh?
At 8.2%, ₹30 lakh pays ₹61,500 every quarter, or ₹2,46,000 a year, before tax.
Does a rate change affect my existing SCSS account?
No. The rate on the day you open the account applies for the full 5-year term.
Sources: Ministry of Finance notification on small savings rates for Q3 FY 2026-27, reported 30 September 2026; Business Today: Small savings rates unchanged for Q3 FY27.