Top Monthly Income Fixed Deposits (FDs) 2024

Introduction

It is a known fact that you can earn guaranteed income from fixed deposits (FD) in the form of interest. But did you know that you can earn regular income from your FD every month? This is possible through fixed deposit monthly income schemes. This article explains how the fixed deposit monthly interest scheme works and how the interest is calculated.

Fixed Deposit (FD) Monthly Income Scheme Interest Rates

*Interest rates as of January 2024

What is a Monthly Income Fixed Deposit (FD) Scheme?

A monthly income FD scheme is a non-cumulative deposit that pays out interest every month. It is an ideal investment for investors, such as retirees or pensioners looking to earn regular income. Investors who want to earn secondary income to pay bills can also invest in this scheme.

Monthly income FDs are offered by all banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) for a tenure of 7 days to 10 years. The interest rates for monthly income fixed deposits are slightly lower than regular deposits and vary based on the tenure and bank.

A monthly income FD is not a separate scheme offered by the bank. If you want to invest in this scheme, then you can choose the monthly payout option of any FD, and the bank will start paying you interest on a monthly basis throughout your tenure of investment.

There are no special tax benefits available for this scheme. The interest income is taxable as per your income tax slab rate.

Features of Monthly FD Scheme

• Minimum and maximum investment: The minimum investment for a monthly income fixed deposit is generally around Rs 10,000 and can vary across banks.
• Tenure: The tenure for the monthly income deposits is usually between 7 days and 10 years.
• Interest rate: The interest rate for a monthly income scheme is slightly lower than a regular FD. Banks usually offer such FDs at a discounted interest rate, which ranges between 3%-9%.
• Nomination: All banks allow you to appoint a nominee for your FD investment.
• Premature withdrawal: You can prematurely withdraw your investment in a monthly income fixed deposit scheme at a penalty. The penalty is usually charged on the interest rate and ranges between 0.5% and 1%.
• Loan against monthly income FD scheme: You can avail a loan against for monthly income FD scheme from the bank. The terms of the loan, such as loan to value ratio, interest rate, and tenure vary across banks.
• Tax: The interest and maturity proceeds are taxable as per the rules of the Income Tax Act 1961.

How is the Interest on FD Monthly Interest Payout Calculated?

To calculate the interest on your monthly FD scheme, you must first convert the annual interest rate into monthly interest rate. There are two ways to calculate this, first is using the simple interest method, and the next is using the compound interest method.

Simple interest method

To calculate the monthly interest rate using the simple interest method, use the formula given below.

Monthly interest rate = Annual interest rate/12

If the annual interest rate is 7%, then the monthly interest rate would be calculated by dividing it by 12. So, the monthly interest rate will be 0.58% per month.

Compound interest method

To calculate the monthly interest rate using the compound interest method, use the formula given below.

Monthly interest rate = [(1+annual interest rate) ^ (1/12)]-1

In the above example of a 7% annual interest rate, the monthly interest rate in the compound interest method will be calculated as follows.

Monthly interest rate = [(1+0.07)^(1/12)]-1

Monthly interest rate = 0.57%

Monthly Interest Payout Calculation of FD

Once the interest rate is calculated, you can calculate the interest amount by multiplying the investment with it.

If you invested Rs 5 lakhs in an FD and the monthly interest is 0.58%, then the monthly interest will be calculated as follows.

Monthly interest = Principal * monthly interest rate

Monthly interest = 5,00,000 * 0.58%

Monthly interest = Rs 2,916

Therefore, if you invest Rs 5 lakhs in a monthly income FD scheme at 7% per annum, then you can expect Rs 2,916 as your monthly interest.

Benefits of FD Monthly Income Scheme

The following are the benefits of fixed deposit monthly income schemes:

• Consistent Returns: The monthly income fixed deposit gives a fixed interest income, providing a source of steady and predictable monthly cash flow. Long-term FDs can be a source of regular income for you and your family.
• Security: FDs are issued by Scheduled Commercial Banks, which are RBI Regulated. And, deposits up to Rs 5,00,000 are insured by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). Thus, you do not have to worry about defaults.
• Reinvestment Opportunity: The interest earned through fixed deposits can be a source of additional monthly income. If you don’t need the money for your expenses, you can choose to reinvest the monthly income. You can invest in a recurring deposit or other investment schemes like Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs).

However, this reinvestment strategy is advisable only for investors who understand the associated risks.

• Premature Withdrawal: In addition to monthly interest, some FDs offer the flexibility of premature withdrawals. However, these premature withdrawals come with penalties.
• Overdraft and Loan Facility: Banks extend an overdraft facility and loan against FDs. This facility helps you meet your minor financial needs without having to break your FDs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get monthly interest on a Fixed Deposit (FD)?

Yes, you can get monthly interest on a fixed deposit. Pick a monthly income FD scheme that offers a regular stream of monthly interest payments. This can be a steady source of income.

Which Fixed Deposit (FD) is best for monthly income?

The best FD scheme for monthly income may depend on the tenure of the deposit, the bank and the interest rates. Since fixed deposits guarantee income, invest in a scheme offered by RBI regulated bank that offers a high interest rate for your deposit tenure.

How can I get Rs 10,000 interest monthly? 

To earn a monthly interest of Rs 10,000, the required investment amount varies depending on the scheme you pick and the corresponding interest rates. For instance, if you opt for a fixed deposit with a 5 year tenure, offering a 6% interest rate, an investment of Rs. 20 lakhs would generate a monthly return of approximately Rs. 10,000. 

Is the interest on Fixed Deposit (FD) taxable on a monthly basis?

Yes, the interest on a fixed deposit is taxable. The interest from FDs is added to your total taxable income and is taxed as per the applicable slab rates. Furthermore, banks deduct a TDS of 10% on interest amounts exceeding Rs 40,000 in a financial year as per the Income Tax Act, 1961. If no PAN is furnished against the monthly FD, the TDS rate is 20%.

How much can I deposit in the monthly income Fixed Deposit (FD) account?

Different banks and financial institutions have different limits on deposit amounts for monthly income FD accounts. Most banks have not set any limit on the maximum investment amount.