Monthly Income Decision Benchmark

POMIS vs Fixed Deposit: Which Offers Better Monthly Cash Flow?

Reviewed by: My Stable Income Team
Verified for FY 2026-27 (Last Updated: August 2026)

Should I invest in Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) or a Bank Monthly Payout Fixed Deposit?

Choose POMIS if you want 100% sovereign government backing with automatic monthly interest payouts at 7.40% (up to ₹15 Lakh joint); choose a Bank Fixed Deposit if you want flexible tenures (1 to 10 years), higher senior citizen rates (up to 7.80%-8.00%), or digital netbanking convenience.

100% Sovereign Monthly Flow (7.40%)

Choose Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)

Conservative savers wanting guaranteed monthly credited income with 100% sovereign safety.

Current Yield / Benchmark:7.40% p.a. (Paid Monthly)
Flexible Tenures & Senior Rates

Choose Bank Fixed Deposit (FD)

Depositors wanting flexible tenures, higher senior rates, cumulative compounding, or netbanking ease.

Current Yield / Benchmark:6.80% - 7.50% (General) / 7.30% - 8.00% (Seniors)
Decision Engine Simulator

Interactive Return & Tax Comparison

Simulate realistic post-tax net maturity values based on your tax bracket and investment timeframe.

₹9,00,000
₹1,00,000₹15,00,000
5 Years
1 Yr5 Yrs
30% Slab

Includes surcharge & cess effect.

Option A7.40% p.a. (Paid Monthly)

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)

Gross Gains / Interest:₹3,33,000
Estimated Tax Liability:- ₹99,900
Net Post-Tax Value:₹11,33,100
Option B6.80% - 7.50% (General) / 7.30% - 8.00% (Seniors)

Bank Fixed Deposit (FD)

Gross Gains / Interest:₹3,19,500
Estimated Tax Liability:- ₹95,850
Net Post-Tax Value:₹11,23,650
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) Generates More
Net Wealth Difference: ₹9,450 over 5 years at 30% tax slab.
POMIS pays ₹5,550/mo on ₹9 Lakh; Bank FD models monthly interest credit.

Head-to-Head Criteria Comparison

Direct comparison across key financial dimensions, rules, and statutory boundaries.

Criteria / FeaturePost Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)Bank Fixed Deposit (FD)
Current Rate
7.40% p.a. (Paid Monthly)6.80% - 7.50% (General) / 7.30% - 8.00% (Senior)
Government / Backing Safety
100% Sovereign Guarantee (Govt of India)DICGC Insured up to ₹5 Lakh per bank
Investment Limit
₹9L Single / ₹15L JointNo Upper Limit
Tenure Flexibility
Strictly 5 Years7 days to 10 years
TDS at Source
Zero TDS by Post Office10% TDS if interest > ₹40k (₹50k seniors)
Digital Management
India Post IPPB / Post Office branchInstant netbanking and mobile app

Choose Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) If:

  • You are a non-senior citizen looking for a guaranteed monthly interest payout at 7.40%.
  • You want 100% sovereign protection without relying on bank DICGC limits.
  • You want to avoid 10% TDS deductions at source.

Choose Bank Fixed Deposit (FD) If:

  • You are a senior citizen eligible for senior rates (7.75%-8.00%) that beat POMIS's 7.40%.
  • You want a tenure shorter or longer than 5 years (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 years).
  • You want cumulative interest compounding rather than monthly payouts.

Real-Life Indian Decision Scenarios

Detailed case studies showing how different tax brackets, ages, and goals alter the optimal choice.

Scenario 1: Non-Senior Couple Seeking ₹9,000 Monthly Cash Flow

Recommendation: Joint POMIS Account
Profile:Siddharth (48) and Sunita (46), wanting a safe monthly income for household expenses.
Amount:₹15,00,000
Horizon:5 Years
Tax Bracket:15%

Analysis: Siddharth and Sunita invest ₹15 Lakh in a Joint POMIS account at 7.40%, receiving a guaranteed ₹9,250 every month with 100% sovereign safety and zero TDS deduction.

Key Takeaway: Joint POMIS is ideal for middle-aged couples wanting automated monthly income.

Taxation, TDS & Statutory Rules

POMIS Tax

Investment Tax Benefit: Nil.

Growth Tax Benefit: Monthly interest taxable under slab.

Maturity Tax Benefit: Nil.

TDS Rules: Zero TDS by Post Office.

Statutory Reference: Income from Other Sources.

Bank FD Tax

Investment Tax Benefit: Only 5-yr Tax Saver.

Growth Tax Benefit: Taxable on accrual basis.

Maturity Tax Benefit: Nil.

TDS Rules: 10% TDS if interest > ₹40k (₹50k seniors).

Statutory Reference: Section 194A.

Tax Regime Recommendation: Neither offers upfront 80C deductions (unless 5-yr tax saver FD), so evaluate on net yield.

Liquidity & Lock-in Test

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS): 5 Years. 2% (Yr 1-3); 1% (Yr 3-5). Zero exit in Year 1.

Bank Fixed Deposit (FD): None. 0.5% - 1.0% penalty.

Bank FDs offer significantly superior digital liquidity and premature break options.

Safety & Guarantee Backing

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS): Sovereign (100% Government Guarantee)Zero (Govt of India).

Bank Fixed Deposit (FD): DICGC Bank Insurance (Up to ₹5 Lakh)DICGC insured up to ₹5L per bank.

POMIS carries direct sovereign guarantee, while bank FDs rely on DICGC insurance up to ₹5 Lakh.

Calculate Your Personal Numbers

Use our interactive engines to simulate custom deposit ladders, TDS schedules, and maturity values.

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Frequently Asked Questions

POMIS interest is automatically credited on the monthly deposit date into your Post Office Savings Account. From there, you can set up an automatic ECS mandate to transfer it directly to your bank account.
Official Statutory References & Regulatory Sources:
  • India Post POMIS NotificationDepartment of Posts[Verify Source]
  • RBI Master Direction on Rupee DepositsReserve Bank of India[Verify Source]

Editorial Disclosure & YMYL Disclaimer: This comparison is published for educational and informational purposes under Indian financial laws (Income Tax Act 1961, RBI Master Directions, Post Office Small Savings Scheme Rules). Rates are verified quarterly. Always consult a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser or Chartered Accountant before executing major financial transactions.