By choosing financial products that offer guaranteed regular income after retirement, you can ensure you are protected against financial uncertainties in the future. With that in mind, here are some options you can consider.
Pension Plans
Pension plans are among the most preferred options for ensuring a fixed monthly income after retirement. You can invest a lump sum amount during your earning years to reap the rewards as monthly income after retirement. You can also choose to receive the payouts from the pension plan on a quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly basis. If you are planning closer to your retirement, you can opt for an immediate annuity plan where the payouts begin right away. If you have a few years remaining till retirement, consider opting for deferred annuities.
If you have pension plans in mind, consider the following options from IndiaFirst Life:
IndiaFirst Life Guaranteed Pension Plan
With this plan, you can invest a lump sum during your working years and receive lifelong income, which means you can be certain about your retirement finances. It also offers multiple annuity options, like income for life, income for life with return of purchase price, and joint life options to cover spouses.
IndiaFirst Life Guaranteed Annuity Plan
This plan offers flexible income options based on your needs. Whether you want the payout to start immediately or after a few years, this plan can adapt to it. If you are seeking a dependable monthly income after retirement to make the most of your golden years, this plan can be a great fit.
IndiaFirst Life Long Guaranteed Income Plan
Those who want continued income along with premium returns can consider this retirement plan. It pays a steady monthly income till the age of 99 years and returns up to 115% of the total premiums paid at maturity.
The best part about these plans is that they offer the assurance of life cover. So, not only do they act as a monthly income plan after retirement, but they also give you peace of mind about your family’s financial future.
Money Back Policies
Money back insurance plans are a beneficial product that offer insurance coverage along with periodic payouts during the policy term. They are suitable for individuals who want both life protection and risk-free payouts.
While many may not consider them as retirement income tools, they can work well if you align the payouts with your retirement years. The periodic returns from the life insurance plan can be used to supplement income when your other sources run low or are insufficient to cover lifestyle expenses.
Fixed Deposits
Fixed deposits (FDs) provide safety, assured returns, and flexible tenures, all of which amount to a perfect combination for retirement planning. When you invest in an FD, you earn interest that can be withdrawn monthly, quarterly, or at maturity. By investing a large amount at a lucrative interest rate, you can ensure steady payouts during your retirement. You can choose a tenure that offers the highest interest rate while also ensuring the payouts align with your retirement years. An FD calculator can help you in aligning your deposits with your retirement needs.
Many banks offer special interest rates if the investor is a senior citizen. For instance, a senior citizen might earn 0.5% more than standard rates, leading to a higher monthly income after retirement. However, be mindful that interest from FDs may be taxable.
While FDs offer stability, they are not ideal for beating inflation. So, it is best to combine them with other instruments like annuity or pension plans to create a well-balanced monthly income plan.
Post Office Monthly Income Schemes
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a government-backed savings plan that offers monthly interest payouts. You can invest up to ₹9 lakh (for a single account) or ₹15 lakh (for a joint account), and the interest is paid monthly directly into your bank account. The lock-in period is five years, after which you can enjoy fixed returns while being assured of the principal’s safety. These features make POMIS a great option for those looking for a low-risk monthly income scheme after retirement.
However, the interest earned is taxable, and there are no inflation adjustments. Hence, it must also be used in combination with other higher-yielding options.
Public Provident Fund
Another government-backed savings scheme you can consider is the Public Provident Fund (PPF). However, this one comes with a lock-in period of 15 years. It is preferred by many during their working years to build a tax-free corpus. While it does not offer monthly payouts, retirees who have matured PPFs can use the funds to invest in a monthly income plan after retirement.
The main advantage of PPF lies in its tax-exempt nature; the contributions, the interest earned, and the maturity amount are all tax-free under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. This also benefits you during your earning years.**
If your PPF account has matured after retirement, you can either extend it in blocks of five years or withdraw the lump sum. You can then reinvest the lump sum in instruments that offer monthly income after retirement.
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) is a reliable and well-structured government-backed retirement income option. It is available to individuals aged 60 years and above (or 55+, in the case of superannuation). You can invest up to ₹30 lakh or the amount you received as your retirement benefit, whichever is higher.
The interest payouts are disbursed on the first day of April, July, October, and January. You can save and invest these payouts to make it work like a monthly income scheme after retirement. SCSS also has a tenure of five years, after which it can be extended for an additional three years. It also offers tax benefits against the contributions made, under Section 80C. However, interest income is taxable and subject to TDS if it exceeds the exemption limit.**
Due to its safety, decent returns, and simple process, SCSS can be an apt choice for retirees who prefer the assurance of the government over market risks.
To curate the best monthly income plan after retirement, you can invest your retirement planning funds in portions in various instruments. For instance, 30% can go towards government-backed schemes, while 50% is allocated to insurance-cum-pension plans, and the rest 20% can be parked in FDs. This allows you to enjoy a steady source of income during your golden years.