New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- Investing in fixed deposits (FDs) or small savings schemes? The interest rate may be the first thing you check, but it should not be the only factor guiding your decision. While a higher rate can definitely mean better returns, the right investment also depends on how much you can invest, when you need the money and how you want to receive the returns later on.

Before choosing between a bank FD and a small savings scheme, investors should also compare investment limits, liquidity, tenure, interest payout options, taxation and maturity rules.

These factors can affect both the suitability of an investment and the actual returns earned. Understanding these differences can help investors choose an option that better m...