Synopsis: This article compares RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds and Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) to understand which government-backed investment offers better safety, returns, and regular income.
RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds
RBI Floating Rate Bonds are a 7- year government backed investment option. They are one of the few debt instruments that offer flexible interest rates. It is backed by both the RBI and the government of India, making it one of the safest investment options that provides a stable income.
Eligibility
- You must be a resident of India (NRIs are not allowed to invest in the fund).
- You must be a legal adult to invest in the bond, or you can invest on behalf of a minor.
- Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) can also invest in these bonds.
- Payment of the bonds should be made individually or jointly.
Features
- It is linked to the National Savings Certificate and has a 0.35% spread.
- It provides a variable interest rate of 8.05%.
- The interest rate resets every 6 months on January and July 1st.
- It has a standard lock-in period of 7 years, which, for senior citizens, are allowed to withdraw early after a shorter lock-in period.
- You can pay for bonds using cash (limit of ₹20,000), Demand Drafts, cheques or using online methods.
- You need to invest a minimum of ₹1,000 in RBI bonds, and you can invest in multiples of ₹1,000.
Benefits
- It is guaranteed by both the Government and the RBI, making it one of the most secure debt instruments.
- It provides an interest rate of 8.05%, which is higher than the normal FD rate of 6.5 to 7%.
- As it is a floating interest rate, investors benefit by being protected against market changes, which in turn protects them from inflation.
- There is no maximum limit on how much you can invest in RBI bonds.
Also read: GIFT City Investments: How to Invest in Global Mutual Funds Through GIFT City
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)
POMIS is another government-backed investment scheme that provides similar returns. It is a government-backed savings system operated by India Post that allows investors to deposit a single sum and receive a fixed monthly income. It is intended for individuals seeking stable and low-risk returns who prefer consistent cash flow over market-linked assets.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a resident of India (NRIs are not allowed to invest in the funds)
- You must be a legal adult to invest in the bond, or you can invest on behalf of a minor.
Features
- Its interest rate is 7.4%.
- It has a maximum tenure of 5 years.
- This scheme has two types of accounts. A single account and a Joint account.
- The minimum deposit required for the fund is ₹1,000.
- The maximum investment limit is up to ₹9 lakhs for a single account and ₹15 lakhs for a joint account.
- An investor can transfer his funds from one post office to another.
Benefits
- As it’s a government-backed scheme, it is one of the safest schemes to invest in.
- It is affordable to invest in POMIS as its minimum balance requirement is ₹1,000.
- You can open multiple accounts in your name, but the maximum deposit amount cannot exceed ₹9 lakhs.
- It lets investors open a joint account of 2 or 3 people, who can invest a maximum amount of ₹15,00,000.
Conclusion
While both the instruments are government-backed and stable
- RBI Floating Rate Bonds do not have a limitation on the amount that can be invested, while POMIS does.
- The tenure of the RBI Floating Rate bond is also longer when compared to POMIS.
- As the RBI Floating Rate Bond’s interest rate is floating, they tend to be safer against inflation, while POMIS has a fixed interest rate, making it susceptible to inflation.
Written by Sagar V M
