Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)

Learn about Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) in detail.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme
4 mins
20 March 2024

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a secure government-backed savings plan ideal for those seeking a steady income. Currently, with an interest of 7.40% p.a. (as of 01/01/2024), POMIS is a low-risk investment. This guide covers its features, eligibility criteria, and the simple account opening process. It provides valuable insights for individuals considering this reliable financial option.

What is Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)?

The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a government-backed savings scheme that allows investors to save a fixed amount every month. The scheme is ideal for individuals looking for a steady income stream from their assets. The scheme has a tenure of 5 years and can be extended for another 5 years after maturity. The minimum investment amount for the scheme is Rs. 1,000 and the maximum investment amount is Rs. 9 lakh for an individual account and Rs. 15 lakh for a joint account.

If you are looking for a secure way to grow a lump sum of money with the potential for higher returns, consider investing in Fixed Deposit (FD). FDs offer flexible tenures and competitive interest rates, helping you reach your financial goals faster.

Benefits of Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS)

  1. Guaranteed Monthly Income: POMIS provides a fixed and guaranteed monthly income to investors. This regular payout serves as a stable source of cash flow, making it an attractive option for individuals looking to supplement their monthly income or retirees seeking financial stability.
  2. Low Risk: POMIS is a low-risk investment option as it is backed by the Government of India. The principal amount invested and the interest earned are considered safe, providing investors with a sense of security.
  3. Accessibility and convenience: POMIS is easily accessible through post offices across India, making it a convenient option for a wide range of investors. The simplicity of the process and the widespread availability of post offices contribute to its popularity.
  4. No Market-linked risks: Unlike some other investment options, POMIS does not expose investors to market-linked risks. The returns are not dependent on market conditions, making it suitable for those who prefer a more predictable investment.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme details

Criteria Details
Interest rate 7.40% per annum (as of 01.01​.2024)
Minimum investment Rs. 1,000
Maximum investment Rs. 9 lakh in single account and Rs. 15 lakh in joint account
Tenure 5 years
Withdrawal Premature withdrawal is allowed after 1 year
Taxation Interest earned is taxable

Who should invest in POMIS?

  1. POMIS is a low-risk investment as this scheme is backed by government, making it suitable for conservative investors who prioritise capital preservation and are not comfortable with higher-risk options.
  2. POMIS can be attractive for retirees and senior citizens who are looking for a steady monthly income stream to supplement their pension or other income sources.
  3. Individuals who prioritise regular income over high returns may find POMIS appealing. It provides a fixed monthly payout, offering financial stability.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme interest rates

  • As of 01.01​.2024, the interest rate on Post Office Monthly Income Scheme is 7​.4% per annum, which is payable monthly.
  • Interest will be paid monthly starting from the date of account opening until maturity.
  • If the account holder does not claim the monthly interest, it will not earn any additional interest.
  • If the depositor makes an excess deposit, the excess amount will be refunded, and only the PO savings account interest will be applicable from the date of account opening to the date of refund.

Read Also: What Is Post Office Tax Saving Scheme

POMIS Interest Rate - Past 5 Years

Period

POMIS Interest Rate (Per Annum)

1st January 2024 - 31st March 2024

7.40%

1st October 2023 - 31st December 2023

7.40%

1st April 2023 - 30th June 2023

7.40%

1st January 2023 - 31st March 2023

7.10%

1st October 2022 - 31st December 2022

7.10%

1st April 2020 – 30th September 2020

6.60%

1st January 2020 – 31st March 2020

7.60%

1st October 2019 – 31st December 2019

7.60%

1st July 2019 – 30th September 2019

7.60%

1st January 2019 – 31st March 2019

7.70%

1st October 2018 – 31st December 2018

7.70%

1st January 2018 – 30th September 2018

7.30%


Features of POMIS

  1. Capital protection: Backed by the government, ensuring the safety of your investment until maturity.
  2. Low-risk investment: You earn a fixed rate of interest as it does not depend on the market forces, making it a secure option for investors.
  3. Payout timing: Receive payouts after one month from the initial investment, not at the beginning of every month.
  4. Nomination facility: Nominate a family member as a beneficiary for ease of claims in case of the investor's demise.
  5. Transaction ease: Collect monthly interest directly from the post office or you can opt for automatic transfer to your savings account.
  6. Reinvestment option: Post maturity, you can also reinvest the corpus for another five years.

If you want to earn monthly interest on your investment, you can also consider Fixed Deposit as an option. Financial institution like Bajaj Finance, offers interest rate of up to 8.85% p.a. on FDs, and flexible payout options like monthly, quarterly, half yearly, annually. You can choose any of payout option according to financial needs, and easily invest online through the Bajaj Finserv app or website.

Documentation required to open Post Office Monthly Income Scheme

  • Submit a government-issued ID or recent utility bills as proof of your address.
  • Provide a copy of a government-issued ID, like Passport, Voter ID card, Driving License, Aadhaar, etc.
  • A passport-size photo

How to Open a POMIS Account?

To open a POMIS account you must have a Post Office savings account. If you don’t have a Post Office saving account, visit your nearest Post Office an open an account. Then, proceed with the following steps to open a POMIS Account:

  1. Get a POMIS account opening form from the nearby post office.
  2. Complete the form and submit the required documents along with signature of any witness or nominee (take original documents for verification)
  3. Initial amount can be deposited through a cheque, the cheque date considered as the account opening date.

Read Also: What Is Post Office Tax Saving Scheme

Eligibility criteria for opening Post Office Monthly Income Scheme account:

  • Indian citizenship.
  • A guardian is permitted to open an account on behalf of a minor or a person of unsound mind.
  • Minors aged 10 years and above have the eligibility to open an account in their own name.

Early withdrawal penalty POMIS

  • No withdrawals allowed within the first year from the date of deposit.
  • If closed after 1 year but before 3 years, a deduction equal to 2% from the principal will be applied, and the remaining amount will be paid to the account holder.
  • If closed after 3 years but before 5 years, a deduction equal to 1% from the principal will be applied, and the remaining amount will be paid to the account holder.
  • The account can be prematurely closed by submitting the prescribed application form along with the passbook at the concerned post office.

POMIS premature withdrawal rules

  • No withdrawal is allowed within the first year from the date of deposit.
  • If the account is closed after 1 year but before 3 years from the date of opening, a deduction of 2% from the principal will be applied, and the remaining amount will be paid.
  • If the account is closed after 3 years but before 5 years from the date of opening, a deduction of 1% from the principal will be applied, and the remaining amount will be paid.
  • To close the account before maturity, submit the prescribed application form along with the passbook at the concerned Post Office.

Conclusion

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme stands as a viable investment option for those seeking a regular and stable income. With straightforward procedures for opening an account at any post office in India, POMIS offers fixed returns. While it may not be suitable for everyone, POMIS serves as a reliable choice for conservative investors looking for a steady monthly income.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Digital FD offered by Bajaj Finance?

Bajaj Finance has launched a new FD type called "Bajaj Finance Digital FD" for a period of 42 months. Bajaj Finance is providing one of the highest interest rates of up to 8.85% p.a. for senior citizens and for the customers below the age of 60 they are providing up to 8.60% p.a. The Digital FD can be booked and managed only through the Bajaj Finserv app or website.

Can a single account be changed to a joint account?

Yes, it is possible to change a single account to a joint account in the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme.

What is the minimum balance that I need to maintain in a Post Office MIS scheme?

The minimum amount required to maintain a Post Office Monthly Income Scheme account is Rs. 1,000.

What is the shortest time a deposit should be held before being withdrawn prematurely?

The shortest time a deposit should be held before being withdrawn prematurely is one year.

Is this scheme suitable for senior citizens?

POMIS is generally suitable for senior citizens and individuals seeking a regular monthly income.

Can the nominee withdraw the amount in the case of the death of the investor before maturity?

In case of the investor's demise, the nominee can claim the entire amount in the POMIS account, regardless of the remaining lock-in period.

What happens to my account if I have to move from one city to another due to work?

If you move to a different city, you can transfer your POMIS account to the local Post Office without incurring any additional charges.

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Disclaimer

As regards deposit taking activity of Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL), the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the Indian Express (Mumbai Edition) and Loksatta (Pune Edition) furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits or refer https://www.bajajfinserv.in/fixed-deposit-archives
The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated March 5, 1998 issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45 IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the RBI does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company.

For the FD calculator the actual returns may vary slightly if the Fixed Deposit tenure includes a leap year.