Business Desk 
Feb 26, 2025
The federal government has reduced the rates of profit on National Savings Schemes from January 31, 2024. The rate adjustment affects several major savings instruments, including Bahbood Saving Certificates (BSC), Pensioners' Benefit Account (PBA), Defence Savings Certificates, Special Savings Certificates, Short Term Savings Certificates, and Shuhada Family Welfare Accounts (SFWA).
The Sarwa Islamic Saving Account and Sarwa Islamic Term Account rates have also been decreased.
National Savings Scheme rates
The Bahbood Savings Certificates (BSC) and Pensioners' Benefit Account (PBA) rates have been decreased from 13.68% to 13.58%, as per the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS).
The Shuhada Family Welfare Accounts (SFWA) also registered a price cut to settle at 13.58%, down from 13.68%. Whereas the savings account profit rate has been slashed from 11.2% to 11%.
Other schemes receiving price adjustments include Special Savings Certificates (SSC), now standing at 11% as opposed to their previous rate of 11.2%, and Sarwa Islamic Savings Account (SISA) and Sarwa Islamic Term Account (SITA), both of which dropped from 9.9% to 9.74%.
It's worth mentioning that the government's move is part of its economic policy reforms to be in tune with prevailing financial conditions.
However, reducing profit rates is meant to balance fiscal policies and provide stability in the savings market. But the cut might affect those depending on such schemes for consistent returns, including pensioners and retirees.
Even with such adjustments, National Savings Schemes are a reliable choice for people seeking safe investment opportunities. The CDNS encourages investors to remain vigilant regarding financial news and check out the available alternatives for gaining higher returns.
The revised rates will be applied to new investments while existing certificates will retain their original rates until maturity.
