FD Calculator Articles

Senior Citizen FD Premiums, Tax-Saver Trade-Offs, and NRE vs NRO — How to Choose the Right Fixed Deposit

The 0.25-0.50% senior citizen FD premium isn't charity — it reflects banks competing for a high-balance, high-retention depositor segment. Here's why the Section 80C tax-saver FD sometimes loses to a regular FD at a higher rate once you account for the 5-year lock-in, how to correctly compare "special tenure" FDs at unusual maturities, and why NRE FDs have been particularly attractive for NRIs when Indian rates exceed foreign deposit rates.

Jul 6, 2026

Why Two FDs With the Same Interest Rate Can Pay Different Returns — Compounding Frequency, AER, and After-Tax Reality

A 5% FD compounded monthly earns an effective 5.116% annually — more than a 5% FD compounded only at maturity. Here's the AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) standard that allows fair comparison regardless of compounding frequency, the cumulative vs non-cumulative FD distinction, why after-tax rates (not headline rates) are what to compare when choosing between FDs and ISAs, and early withdrawal penalties as the hidden cost of the illiquidity premium.

Jun 20, 2026

Real vs Nominal FD Returns: Why a "Guaranteed 5%" Deposit Can Quietly Lose You Purchasing Power

A fixed deposit "guaranteeing" 5% can still leave you with less purchasing power than you started with — if inflation runs at 6%, the real return is approximately -1%, and after accounting for tax on the interest, the gap widens further. Here's the nominal-vs-real return relationship, why "nominally safe" doesn't mean "really safe," and how this gap becomes far more consequential during high-inflation periods than during the low-inflation periods many savers are used to.

Jun 13, 2026

The FD Ladder Strategy: How Staggered Maturities Give You Liquidity Without Sacrificing Returns

Putting all your savings in one long-term FD leaves you with no liquidity. Laddering — splitting across multiple FDs with staggered maturities — gives you annual access to a portion of your savings without penalties, while earning similar total returns. Here's how to set up a 3-rung and 5-rung ladder.

Jun 11, 2026

Fixed Deposits vs Government Bonds, Money Market Accounts, and Premium Bonds: Which Low-Risk Option is Right?

Fixed deposits compete with government bonds, money market accounts, and UK Premium Bonds for the same conservative savings money. Here's how each works, the inflation-adjusted real return calculation, when Premium Bonds beat FDs for higher-rate taxpayers, and how to choose based on liquidity needs.

Jun 10, 2026

FD Calculator — Optimise Your Fixed Deposit for Maximum Return

Learn how compounding frequency affects FD returns, why non-round tenures often offer better rates, how to build a deposit ladder, and how to use a free FD calculator to optimise your fixed deposit strategy.

Jun 9, 2026

FD Calculator — Calculate Fixed Deposit Maturity Amount & Interest

Learn how fixed deposit interest is calculated, what affects your maturity amount, and how to use a free FD calculator to compare tenures and rates before you invest.

Jun 6, 2026