Senior Citizens FD Rates

What are Senior Citizen FD Interest Rates?

Senior citizen FD interest rates are special rates provided by banks and other financial institutions to depositors above the age of 60. These rates are above the general citizen rates, and they are intended to assist retirees whose income is predictable and stable.

In India, public sector banks may normally provide senior citizens with FD rates between 3.10% to 7.20% p.a., based on the tenure. Banks in the private sector offer a little more return, which ranges between 3.25% to 7.75% p.a. The senior citizen FD rates are usually highest in NBFCs and housing finance companies, which go as high as 9.35% p.a. on long tenures.

Leading Financial Institutions with the Highest Senior Citizen FD Rates

The table below highlights selected banks and NBFCs offering some of the highest senior citizen FD interest rates in India:

*FD interest rates w.e.f February 2026

Top Government Banks Offering the Highest FD Rates for Senior Citizens

Public sector banks remain a popular choice among senior citizens due to government backing and predictable returns.

*FD interest rates w.e.f February 2026

Top Private Sector Banks Offering the Highest Senior Citizen FD Rates

The private sector banks tend to be more flexible and competitive in interest rates than the public sector banks.

*FD interest rates w.e.f February 2026

Leading NBFCs Offering Best FD Rates for Senior Citizens

NBFCs usually pay high FD rates but can be comparatively more risky than banks.

*FD interest rates w.e.f February 2026

Special FD Scheme for Senior Citizens

Some banks have special fixed deposit plans targeting senior citizens, which have higher interest rates and flexible terms than ordinary FDs. The following are a few of the most popular senior-oriented FD schemes by major banks in India.

State Bank of India – SBI WeCare

SBI WeCare is a senior-citizen-specific fixed deposit scheme that secures retirement income by offering a higher interest rate on long-term deposits. It applies to domestic term deposits of tenures between 5 and 10 years. The scheme will provide an increment of 30 bps on top of the current 50 bps senior benefit, making a total premium of 80 bps over the card rate. Interest may be paid either every month, every quarter, or at the time of maturity, net of applicable TDS.

Indian Bank Senior Citizen FD

Indian Bank provides senior citizens with an extra 25 basis points in addition to the prevailing 50 basis points premium on fixed deposits of tenures of more than 5 years up to 10 years. This advantage is provided on deposits of up to ₹3 crore, and it assists retirees in gaining greater returns in the long term.

ICICI Bank Senior Citizen FD

ICICI Bank has a senior citizen fixed deposit where the interest rate can be charged up to 80 basis points above the interest rate charged to the general population. The FD has a flexible tenure and gives investors the choice of cumulative and regular interest payments. It can be availed on new as well as renewals of the fixed deposits and is thus a reliable choice for retirees who want both a fixed income and the safety of their capital.

Eligibility and Documents Required for Senior Citizen FDs

Senior citizens are required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria and provide standard KYC documents to receive higher fixed deposit interest rates and tax benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

To avail higher fixed deposit interest rates, the depositor should satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Age Requirement: The depositor should be 60 years of age or above when the fixed deposit is being opened.
• Primary Account Holder Rule: Senior citizen FD will only benefit in cases where the primary account holder is a senior citizen.
• Joint Deposit Condition: Joint fixed deposits can only receive higher rates for senior citizens when the first holder is a senior citizen.

Documents Required

Senior citizens need to submit standard KYC and tax-related documents to open a fixed deposit and claim applicable interest and TDS benefits:

• Proof of age and identity: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or voter ID
• Address proof: Aadhaar card, passport, or utility bill (if required)
• PAN card: Mandatory for FD investments and tax compliance

Features of Senior Citizen FDs

Senior citizen fixed deposits are designed with features that prioritise income stability, liquidity, and capital protection, making them well-suited for post-retirement financial planning. Key features include:

• Flexible Tenure Options: Senior citizen FDs are available for tenures ranging from 7 days to 10 years, allowing investors to match deposits with short-term liquidity needs or long-term retirement planning.
• Multiple Interest Payout Choices: Banks and NBFCs provide monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly, and cumulative payout options so that the seniors have the opportunity to decide between regular payment and compounded growth.
• Higher Interest Rates: Older customers would receive a higher rate of interest of about 0.25% to 0.75% than a general depositor, with extra premiums offered under some select senior-oriented FD plans.
• Premature and Partial Withdrawal Facility: The majority of banks permit early or partial withdrawals, with a penalty of 1% to 2%. Non-callable FDs cannot be withdrawn prematurely.
• Automatic Renewal Facility: The auto-renewal facility provides the facility of automatically renewing the FD at maturity.
• Deposit Insurance Protection: DICGC insures the Bank FDs up to a maximum of 5 lakh per depositor per bank, inclusive of interest. NBFC FDs are not covered.
• Ease of Investment: Senior citizen FDs have easy documentation and may be opened or operated online as well as in the branches.

Tax Benefits and TDS Rules for Senior Citizen FDs

Seniors also receive several tax benefits on fixed deposits that increase net returns. Section 80TTB provides a deduction of interest income of up to ₹50,000 in a financial year, relieving the tax burden. The eligible depositors may fill Form 15H to evade the deduction of TDS when the total income is less than ₹1,00,000. Moreover, investing in 5-year tax-saving fixed deposits is also subject to deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh in Section 80C; therefore, strategic tax planning is necessary.

Key Takeaways

The FD interest rates for senior citizens are high compared to ordinary FDs, which are from 3.00% to 9.35% per annum, depending on the bank and tenure. Public sector banks are stable and secure with moderate rates, whereas the private banks and NBFCs provide higher returns, particularly on long-term deposits. Special senior citizen FD schemes also improve returns by adding an extra interest premium. The eligibility is simple, the documentation is low, and additional benefits of tax under Section 80TTB, and the option of Form 15H and tax-saving FDs are designed to enhance the income of the retirees after taxation.