The Central Directorate of National Savings raised profit rates again from 21 October 2026, the second increase in three weeks. Behbood Savings Certificates, Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts and Shuhada Family Welfare Accounts now pay 12.96 percent, up from 12.72 percent — which works out to Rs 1,080 a month on every Rs 100,000 invested.
For a retired person, a widow, or the family of a martyr, these three schemes are often the safest monthly income available in Pakistan. This page lists every revised rate, the investment limits for each scheme, the eligibility rules that actually determine who can open what, and how the returns compare with bank deposits.
All Revised Rates from 21 October 2026
| Scheme | Rate from 21 Oct 2026 | Previous (1–20 Oct) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behbood Savings Certificates | 12.96% | 12.72% | +0.24 |
| Pensioners’ Benefit Account | 12.96% | 12.72% | +0.24 |
| Shuhada Family Welfare Account | 12.96% | 12.72% | +0.24 |
| Regular Income Certificates | 12.12% | 11.76% | +0.36 |
| Special Savings Certificates (periods 1–5) | 12.00% | 11.60% | +0.40 |
| Special Savings Certificates (final period) | 12.80% | 12.90% | −0.10 |
| Short Term Savings (3 months) | 11.12% | 10.80% | +0.32 |
| Short Term Savings (6 months) | 11.50% | 11.08% | +0.42 |
What the Three Welfare Schemes Actually Pay
| Investment | Monthly profit at 12.96% | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Rs 100,000 | Rs 1,080 | Rs 12,960 |
| Rs 500,000 | Rs 5,400 | Rs 64,800 |
| Rs 1,000,000 | Rs 10,800 | Rs 129,600 |
| Rs 2,500,000 | Rs 27,000 | Rs 324,000 |
| Rs 7,500,000 (maximum) | Rs 81,000 | Rs 972,000 |
Figures are gross profit before any applicable withholding tax. Deduction at source applies to profit above the exempt threshold, so the amount credited to your account will be lower if your total profit crosses that limit.
Eligibility and Limits — Read This Before Visiting a Bank
| Scheme | Who can open it | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behbood Savings Certificates | Widows, senior citizens, and persons with disability | Rs 5,000 | Rs 7.5 million |
| Pensioners’ Benefit Account | Retired government employees drawing a pension | Rs 10,000 | Rs 7.5 million |
| Shuhada Family Welfare Account | Families of martyrs, as defined in the scheme rules | Rs 10,000 | Rs 7.5 million |
Minimum age for the senior-citizen route is 60 years; documentary proof of age is mandatory.
How These Compare With Bank Deposits
| Option | Typical return | Risk | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behbood / PBA / Shuhada | 12.96% | Sovereign — backed by the government | Monthly profit, principal locked |
| Regular Income Certificates | 12.12% | Sovereign | Monthly profit, fixed term |
| Bank savings account | Typically lower and variable | Deposit protection up to the insured limit | Instant |
| Islamic savings accounts | Profit-sharing, varies | Bank risk | Instant |
The trade-off is simple: national savings pay a higher rate than a normal savings account, but the money is essentially locked for the term. If you may need the cash at short notice, a savings account is more appropriate even at a lower rate.
Why the Rate Changed Seven Times in 2026
The Behbood, Pensioners’ Benefit and Shuhada rate moved on 5 January, 23 January, 10 June, 18 July, 4 September, 1 October and 21 October 2026. At 12.96 percent it is back exactly where it stood between 18 July and 3 September.
The driver is the policy rate cycle. National savings rates are administratively linked to government borrowing costs, so they follow the State Bank’s policy rate with a lag. When the policy rate is cut, savings rates follow; when it rises, they rise. Anyone planning retirement income should treat these rates as variable, not fixed for life.
How to Open an Account
- Confirm your eligibility against the table above, and gather the documentary proof first.
- Visit a National Savings centre or an authorised bank branch. Not every branch handles every scheme.
- Complete the application form and submit CNIC, proof of eligibility, and a recent photograph.
- Deposit by cheque or pay order in your own name. Third-party deposits are restricted.
- Collect the certificate or account passbook, and verify the rate printed on it matches the current notification.
- Register a bank account and IBAN for the monthly profit credit and check that it is correctly recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Behbood profit rate from 21 October 2026?
12.96 percent per year, which is Rs 1,080 a month on each Rs 100,000 invested. It was 12.72 percent between 1 and 20 October 2026.
Who is eligible for Behbood Savings Certificates?
Widows, senior citizens and persons with disability, subject to documentary proof. Minimum investment is Rs 5,000 and the maximum is Rs 7.5 million.
What is the difference between Behbood and the Pensioners’ Benefit Account?
Behbood is open to widows, senior citizens and persons with disability without requiring a government pension. The Pensioners’ Benefit Account is specifically for retired government employees drawing a pension.
Is the profit taxable?
Withholding tax applies to profit above the exempt threshold under the Income Tax Ordinance. If your total annual profit from these schemes crosses that limit, deduction at source applies automatically when the profit is credited.
Can I withdraw early?
Early encashment rules differ by scheme and often involve a reduced rate or a penalty on profit already paid. Read the scheme terms before depositing, particularly if you may need the funds within the year.
Will the rate stay at 12.96%?
No guarantee. The rate has changed seven times in 2026 alone and is linked to the policy rate cycle. Plan on the basis that it will move.
Bottom Line
From 21 October 2026, Behbood, Pensioners’ Benefit and Shuhada Family Welfare accounts pay 12.96 percent — Rs 1,080 a month per Rs 100,000. Regular Income Certificates pay 12.12 percent and Special Savings 12.00 percent for the first five periods. The catch is eligibility: these schemes are open to specific categories only, and the paperwork proves it. Check your category, gather the documents, and confirm the current rate on the CDNS schedule on the day you deposit — because in 2026 this rate has changed seven times already.
