Many investors don't like how the market can go up and down a lot. They always look for ways to invest that are safe, give consistent returns, and also help with tax savings. For people who prefer safer investments, putting money in a fixed-income plan could be a good choice.
What Are Fixed-income Investments?
Fixed income investments give you a set return rate, and the interest piles up over a set time. They're a smart move for investors looking to mix things up without diving into the riskier world of derivatives and stocks. And guess what? The stable returns make them a hit, especially for retirees. Individual bonds are a classic choice in this category, but there's more to explore like bond funds, Post Office Savings Schemes, Bank Deposits, Certificate of Deposit, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and money market funds. It's like a basket of options to keep your money growing steadily.
Best Fixed Income Investment Plans
1. Exchange Traded Funds
These funds are like money that you can buy and sell on the stock market. Nifty, S&P, BSE Sensex are some of the names connected to these funds. You can trade these funds every day, just like you do with regular cash. Gold ETF is one of the popular choices among these funds.
2. Debt Funds
Debt funds are a safe way to invest. They put your money in things like government or company bonds, which are stable and not too risky. Unlike stocks, they don't depend on the unpredictable stock market.
3. Money Market Instruments
Certain types of money market tools like treasury bills, certificates of deposits, and commercial papers are considered as fixed income investments. They offer a set interest rate and usually last for a short time, typically less than a year. But here's the catch: In India, these fixed-income bonds are sold through specific channels, not directly to individual investors. To get them, you need to go through something called money market mutual funds. These funds help you invest in these fixed-income securities.
4. Bonds
Bonds are a common type of investment. Companies issue them to get money for their everyday operations. Since they're like loans for the company, they have to be paid back when the company makes enough money.
5. Bank Deposits
We often call them fixed deposits, and they're super safe for investing money. You can choose to keep your money in these for a short or a long time, depending on what works for you. But here's the thing – you can't take your money out before a certain period. If you really need it in an emergency, you can withdraw it early, but you'll have to pay a penalty. There are also some fixed-income bonds supported by the government that you can look into.
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6. Public Provident Fund
This investment plan is well-liked for long-term savings and is supported by the Indian Government. It offers appealing interest rates that are completely tax-free. You commit your money for 15 years initially, and then you can choose to continue in five-year blocks. It comes with a tax advantage under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, ensuring that the interest you earn remains tax-free. The most you can invest in a year is INR 1.5 lakh.
7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme
These special bonds are meant to give financial security to older people in India. Anyone who is 60 years old or more can invest their money in this plan. The government decides a good interest rate for this scheme through the finance ministry.
8. Bonds of Listed Public Sector Units
These funds are a favorite choice for many investors because they come from the top-performing government-owned companies in the country. People like them because they usually bring in good profits, and there's very little risk involved.
9. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
The PMVVY, run by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), is a way to give older people (60 and above) a safety net. It protects them from losing money on their savings due to bad economic times. The amount you can invest in this plan was increased from INR 7.5 lakh to INR 15 lakh this year. What's nice about this plan is that it guarantees a fixed pension, meaning a certain amount of money regularly. This fixed amount is promised to be 8 percent every year for 10 years.
10.Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
This is a special savings plan created as part of the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" initiative, focusing on supporting girls. Right now, it gives an interest rate of 8.1 per cent and comes with tax benefits. Parents can start this scheme for their daughter anytime from her birth until she turns 10. You need at least INR 1000 to start, and you can put in up to INR 1.5 lakhs in a year. The account stays active for 21 years from when it's opened or until the girl gets married after turning 18.
Who Should Invest in Fixed Income Plans?
Fixed-income bonds are great for people who want safe investments. If you're not comfortable with the ups and downs of the stock market and want a reliable way to use your money, you should think about Mutual Funds that deal with fixed-income securities.
Even if you're someone who likes to invest a lot and wants to make sure you get reliable returns while spreading out your investments, these kinds of funds can be a good pick. They make sure you still get some money back, even when the market isn't doing so great and other big-value assets aren't giving good returns.
Even if you belong to the older section of our society, looking for different ways to invest, you can go for these kinds of investments. Most fixed-income things meet the basic requirements of being low-risk and giving steady returns.
But there's a catch – putting your money in fixed-income securities might mean the actual value of your cash goes down, especially with no adjustments for inflation. Plus, if the stock market's interest rates go up, you won't get any extra advantages.
Things to Consider Before Investing in Fixed-Income Plans
Thinking about putting money into fixed-income bonds in India? Here are some important things to know:
Tax Rules
If you make money from fixed-income securities, the government might tax it. For long-term gains, there's a 20% deduction (after adjusting for inflation). Short-term gains get taxed based on your income.
Mutual Funds
When you invest in mutual funds that deal with fixed-income bonds, they are usually managed actively. This means they work hard to get the best profits for investors while making sure things stay stable.
Different Plans
Mutual funds have different plans based on how long you want to invest. For short-term plans, they focus on money market instruments and debt funds from the fixed-income securities list. If you plan to invest for a longer time, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) might be a good choice.
Easy to Convert to Cash
These funds are usually easy to turn into cash whenever you need it. So, if you need money, you can quickly get it from your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Is it smart to invest in fixed-income plans?
Sure, fixed-income plans can be a good move, especially if you can’t afford to take big risks. They’re safer, but watch out for inflation—it could mess with your investment’s value. These plans are handy for making a steady income.
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How do I get fixed-income plans?
You can buy fixed-income plans through money market mutual funds. They’re often called fixed deposits and are known for being a super-safe investment. Depending on what you need, you can get these plans for a short or long time.
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What are fixed-income plan examples?
Examples of fixed-income securities include Treasury bonds and bills, corporate bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs), and municipal bonds.
