National Savings Profit Rates in Pakistan 2026: Which Scheme Offers the Highest Return?

National savings profit rates in Pakistan change every few months, and no single scheme is the right answer for everyone. Behbood Savings Certificates currently carry the highest listed rate, but they are only open to widows, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. The scheme that actually suits you depends on your eligibility, whether you need monthly income, and how tax and Zakat apply to your certificate. Always verify current rates directly on the National Savings Pakistan official website before investing.

Quick Answer

As of the July 18, 2026 revision, Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account carry the highest rate at 12.96 percent per year, but both are eligibility-based. For general investors, Regular Income Certificates pay 11.52 percent with monthly payouts, while Special Savings Certificates pay 11.2 percent for the first five periods and 12.6 percent for the sixth. Always confirm the current rate on National Savings’ own site before investing.

National Savings Profit Rates in Pakistan: Latest 2026 Table

The table below reflects the rate revision effective July 18, 2026, the most recent one confirmed on National Savings’ official site at the time of writing.

Source: rates should be verified against the current official National Savings profit-rate notification before making an investment decision, since this table reflects one point in time and rates have changed three times already in 2026.

How to read annual, monthly and six-monthly profit rates

An annual rate like 11.52 percent tells you the yearly return, but not how often you get paid. Regular Income Certificates and Behbood pay this out monthly, dividing the annual rate by 12. Special Savings Certificates pay every six months instead, so the rate is applied to each half-year period rather than smoothed across the year.

Why the effective date matters

National Savings revised these rates at least three times in 2026: once in January, again around May 26, and once more on July 18. Rates published in an older article, even from earlier this year, may no longer be current. Check the effective date on any rate table, including this one, before assuming it reflects what you would earn today.

Which National Savings Scheme Offers the Highest Return?

Based on the July 2026 revision, Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account share the highest listed rate at 12.96 percent. That headline number does not automatically make either scheme the right choice for a given investor.

Behbood Savings Certificate and Pensioners’ Benefit Account

Both products currently pay 12.96 percent per year, paid monthly, and both come with a real advantage beyond the rate: neither has withholding tax or Zakat deducted from the profit, a benefit not shared by most other National Savings products.

Why the highest listed rate is not available to everyone

Behbood and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account are restricted to widows, senior citizens aged 60 and above, and persons with disabilities. A general investor who does not fall into one of these categories cannot open either account, regardless of the rate advertised.

Rate versus eligibility: what to check first

Before comparing rates, confirm which schemes you actually qualify for. An eligible widow or senior citizen evaluating Behbood against Regular Income Certificates is comparing two real options; someone outside that group is really choosing between RIC, DSC, and the Special Savings options instead.

Behbood Savings Certificate Profit Rate: Who Can Invest?

Behbood Savings Certificates pay 12.96 percent per year as of the July 2026 revision, but only widows, senior citizens aged 60 or above, and persons with disabilities can open one. Profit is credited monthly rather than at maturity.

Monthly profit payment

At the current rate, a Rs. 100,000 investment produces an estimated gross monthly profit of Rs. 1,080. This is a pre-tax, pre-Zakat illustration; because Behbood is exempt from both, the gross and net figures are effectively the same for this scheme, unlike most others on this list.

Eligible investors and investment limits

Eligibility covers widows, senior citizens aged 60 or above, and persons with disabilities holding a CNIC with the disability indicator, including special minors through a guardian. Two eligible individuals, such as two senior citizens, can also open a joint account. Confirm the current Behbood Savings Certificate eligibility and terms directly with National Savings before applying.

When Behbood may suit your needs

If you qualify, Behbood combines the highest listed rate with full exemption from withholding tax and Zakat, plus monthly income. The main trade-off is that it is not open to the general public, so it cannot be used as a comparison point for investors outside its eligibility criteria.

Regular Income Certificate Profit Rate: Is RIC Good for Monthly Income?

Regular Income Certificates pay 11.52 percent per year as of July 2026, making them the main monthly-income option open to any Pakistani national or overseas Pakistani, without the eligibility restrictions that apply to Behbood.

How RIC monthly profit works

Profit is paid monthly starting from the date of issue, over a five-year maturity period. RIC is exempt from Zakat, though it is not exempt from withholding tax the way Behbood and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account are.

Example: estimated monthly profit on Rs. 100,000

At 11.52 percent per year, a Rs. 100,000 investment in RIC produces an estimated gross monthly profit of Rs. 960, before withholding tax is deducted. Filers on the Active Taxpayers List pay 15 percent withholding tax on this profit, while non-filers pay 30 percent, a difference that meaningfully changes the net amount received each month.

Who should consider RIC?

RIC suits general investors who want predictable monthly income without Behbood’s eligibility restrictions, and who are comfortable with standard withholding tax rates applying to the profit. Confirm current Regular Income Certificate terms, including payment schedule and early-encashment conditions, before investing.

Defence Savings Certificate Profit Rate: Is DSC Better for Long-Term Savings?

Defence Savings Certificates suit long-term saving goals better than monthly-income schemes do, since they pay 10.24 percent per year as of the July 2026 revision, structured around a 10-year maturity rather than a monthly payout.

Maturity-based return versus monthly income

Unlike RIC or Behbood, DSC does not pay profit monthly. It is designed to grow toward a fixed maturity value over 10 years, so it suits savers building toward a future lump sum rather than those who need income now. National Savings publishes the exact maturity payment table for each issuance date, since the amount payable depends on when the certificate was purchased.

Tenure and early-encashment considerations

Because DSC is a 10-year product, encashing early generally means accepting a lower effective return than holding to maturity. If you are unsure whether you will need the funds within the next decade, this is worth weighing against a shorter-term option like RIC or a Short Term Savings Certificate.

Who should consider Defence Savings Certificates?

DSC fits long-term savers, including overseas Pakistanis, who do not need monthly income and are comfortable committing funds for up to 10 years in exchange for a government-backed, fixed-structure return. Check Defence Savings Certificate maturity and encashment rules for your specific issuance date before purchasing.

Special Savings Certificate Profit Rate: What Does the Six-Monthly Structure Mean?

Special Savings Certificates pay 11.2 percent per year for each of the first five six-month periods, rising to 12.6 percent for the sixth and final period, under the July 2026 revision.

First five profit payments versus the final payment

On a Rs. 100,000 investment, each of the first five six-month periods produces an estimated gross payout of Rs. 5,600, while the sixth and final period produces Rs. 6,300. This step-up structure is built into the certificate rather than being a rate change partway through.

Special Savings Certificate versus Special Savings Account

The Special Savings Account mirrors the same rate structure as the certificate, with the same 11.2 percent and 12.6 percent tiers. The main difference is account versus certificate format, not the underlying return.

Who may prefer a six-monthly payout?

Investors who do not need monthly cash flow, and who would rather receive a larger lump sum twice a year, may prefer this structure over RIC’s monthly payments, particularly for periodic expenses like school fees or annual commitments.

National Savings Islamic Schemes: SITA and SISA

Sarwa Islamic Term Account and Sarwa Islamic Savings Account offer a Shariah-compliant route within National Savings, with their own declared profit rather than the fixed percentage structure used by conventional certificates.

Sarwa Islamic Term Account

SITA’s declared profit varies by tenure under the July 2026 revision: 11.10 percent for a one-year term, 11.5 percent for three years, and 11.52 percent for five years.

Sarwa Islamic Savings Account

SISA currently offers a declared profit of 11.10 percent per year, structured as a savings account rather than a fixed-term certificate.

Why declared profit can differ from conventional fixed rates

Islamic schemes operate on a profit-and-loss sharing basis rather than a guaranteed fixed rate, so the declared profit is announced periodically based on actual returns rather than fixed in advance the way DSC or RIC rates are. Treat SITA and SISA as a separate product category rather than a direct substitute for conventional certificates.

National Savings Profit on Rs. 100,000: Illustrative Examples

These figures are gross, pre-tax and pre-Zakat illustrations based on the July 2026 rate revision, not guaranteed or after-tax returns.

Monthly-income example

The formula behind these figures is straightforward: annual rate divided by 100, multiplied by the investment amount, gives the estimated annual gross profit; dividing that by 12 gives the monthly figure used above for RIC and Behbood.

Six-monthly payout example

For Special Savings Certificates, the same annual-rate calculation is divided by 2 instead of 12, since profit is paid twice a year rather than monthly.

Why tax and Zakat can change your net return

These are gross figures. Once withholding tax and, where applicable, Zakat are deducted, the amount you actually receive will be lower for RIC, DSC and Special Savings products, though not for Behbood or the Pensioners’ Benefit Account, which are exempt from both.

National Savings Tax, Zakat and Early Encashment Rules

Tax and Zakat treatment is not the same across every National Savings scheme, and assuming one rate applies everywhere is a common mistake.

Filer and non-filer tax treatment

On Regular Income Certificates, filers pay 15 percent withholding tax on profit while non-filers pay 30 percent, deducted regardless of the investment amount or date, under Section 151 of the Income Tax Ordinance. Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account are different: National Savings’ own guidance confirms that withholding tax is not collected on their profit at all, for filers or non-filers.

Zakat deduction and exemption process

RIC and Behbood are both exempt from Zakat deduction under National Savings’ published terms. Where Zakat does apply on other schemes, holders can generally submit a Zakat exemption declaration where eligible; confirm the current process directly with National Savings rather than relying on a general assumption.

Why early withdrawal may affect your return

Certificates like DSC and SSC are structured around their full tenure. Encashing before maturity or before completing a six-month period typically means receiving a lower rate than the one advertised for holding to term, so check the specific early-encashment terms for your certificate before assuming the listed rate applies to an early exit.

How to Invest in National Savings Schemes in Pakistan

National Savings certificates and accounts can be purchased by Pakistani nationals and, for most schemes, overseas Pakistanis as well.

Documents and eligibility checks

You will generally need a valid CNIC, and for Behbood or the Pensioners’ Benefit Account, proof of the specific eligibility category such as age, widowhood, or a disability-indicated CNIC. Confirm the current document list with your chosen National Savings Centre before visiting.

Where to apply

Certificates can be purchased at any National Savings Centre, authorized branches of scheduled banks, or the State Bank of Pakistan, using the relevant application form available free of cost from these offices.

Verify the official rate before depositing money

Before investing: compare the latest official rate, payment schedule, eligibility rules, early-encashment terms, tax treatment and Zakat implications, not just the headline return advertised in a news article or social media post.

Which Qaumi Bachat Scheme Is Right for You?

The right Qaumi Bachat scheme for you comes down to four questions: do you qualify for Behbood, do you need monthly income, can you commit funds for a longer term, and does the tax or Zakat treatment change your decision. “Qaumi Bachat” itself is simply the name most Pakistanis use in everyday conversation for what is officially called National Savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest National Savings profit rate in Pakistan?

As of the July 18, 2026 revision, rates range from 10.24 percent on Defence Savings Certificates up to 12.96 percent on Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account. Check the official National Savings rate sheet for the current effective date before investing.

What is the Behbood Savings Certificate profit rate?

Behbood Savings Certificates pay 12.96 percent per year as of the July 2026 revision, paid monthly, with no withholding tax or Zakat deducted from the profit.

What is the Regular Income Certificate profit rate?

Regular Income Certificates pay 11.52 percent per year as of July 2026, with monthly profit. On Rs. 100,000, this produces an estimated gross monthly profit of Rs. 960 before withholding tax.

What is the Defence Savings Certificate profit rate?

Defence Savings Certificates carry a rate of 10.24 percent per year as of the July 2026 revision, structured around a 10-year maturity rather than monthly payouts. Confirm the exact maturity payment table for your certificate’s issuance date with National Savings.

What is the Special Savings Certificate profit rate?

The July 2026 revision set Special Savings Certificates at 11.2 percent per year for each of the first five six-month periods, rising to 12.6 percent for the sixth and final period.

Which National Savings scheme gives the highest profit?

Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account carry the highest listed rate at 12.96 percent, but both are restricted to widows, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, so the best available option depends on whether you qualify.

Is Qaumi Bachat the same as National Savings?

Yes. “Qaumi Bachat” is the commonly used name in Pakistan for National Savings, the government savings system. Use the official scheme names, such as Regular Income Certificate or Behbood Savings Certificate, when checking rates or applying.

Does National Savings deduct tax and Zakat?

It depends on the scheme. Regular Income Certificates and most other products deduct withholding tax at 15 percent for filers and 30 percent for non-filers, though RIC is exempt from Zakat. Behbood Savings Certificates and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account are exempt from both withholding tax and Zakat.

Can everyone invest in Behbood Savings Certificate?

No. Behbood is limited to widows, senior citizens aged 60 or above, and persons with disabilities holding a CNIC with the disability indicator, including special minors through a guardian.

What is the difference between RIC and DSC?

Regular Income Certificates pay profit monthly over a five-year term at 11.52 percent, suited to investors who want regular income. Defence Savings Certificates pay at maturity over 10 years at 10.24 percent, suited to investors building toward a future lump sum rather than needing income now.

Rates Change. Your Eligibility Doesn’t Have To.

National Savings profit rates will likely change again before this page’s next review. What stays the same is the decision: check what you actually qualify for, whether you need monthly income or a maturity lump sum, and how tax and Zakat apply, before assuming the headline rate is what you will receive.

Confirm the latest notification date directly with National Savings before depositing funds. Once your profit is coming in, it is also worth checking how other routine costs, like customs duty on a car or annual token tax, fit into your broader budget.

Which scheme are you evaluating, Behbood, RIC, or something else? Let us know in the comments.

Last verified August 26, 2026, by the Chokus.pk desk, based on National Savings’ official rate notifications effective July 18, 2026. Rates, eligibility rules, and tax treatment can change with each new notification; confirm your specific case directly with National Savings before investing. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice.