taxud/2414/08 - European Commission - Europa

(b)
saving deposits;
Savings deposits are funds in accounts maintained inter alia by commercial banks,
savings and loan associations, credit unions, and mutual savings banks that pay interest
but can not be used directly as money (by, for example, writing cheques). These saving
deposits let customers set aside a portion of their liquid assets that could be used to make
purchases while earning a monetary return;
(c)
time and term deposits;
A time deposit (also known as a term deposit) is a deposit at a banking institution that
cannot be withdrawn for a certain "term" or period of time. When the term is over it can
be withdrawn or it can be held for another term. Generally speaking, the longer the term
the better is the yield on the money. A certificate of deposit is a time-deposit product;
(d)
deposits in the form of saving certificates;
Deposits in form of saving certificates are deposits of money in an account. They include
Fixed Interest Savings Certificates which are lump sum investments that earn guaranteed
rates of interest over set periods of time, called 'terms';
(e)
saving bonds;
Saving bonds are deposits of money in an account. Savings bonds are often fixed rate
investments that offer a guaranteed fixed interest rate for the term of the investment,
which is typically 1, 2 or 5 years. The terms of the bond will state how money may be
deposited, i.e. whether deposits can be made as a lump sum and/or on a regular basis.
There is usually a requirement to keep the money invested for the full term of the bond in
order to benefit from the higher interest rates offered. Withdrawals are usually not
permitted;
(f)
deposits made in return for a guaranteed annuity or an accumulated cash balance
upon retirement, including deposits made under a pension saving plan;
Deposits made in return for a guaranteed annuity or for an accumulated cash balance
upon retirement are deposits of money in an account. Such deposits (often organised in
form of a pension saving plan) are made for pension purposes, typically payments are
made in the form of a guaranteed annuity to a retired or disabled employee. Some
retirement plan (or superannuation) designs accumulate a cash balance (through a variety
of mechanisms) that a retiree can draw upon at retirement, rather than promising annuity
payments. These are often also called pensions. In either case, a pension created by an
employer for the benefit of an employee is commonly referred to as an occupational or
employer pension. Labour unions, the government, or other organizations may also fund
pensions. Occupational pensions are a form of deferred compensation, usually
advantageous to employee and employer for tax reasons;
(g)
capital redemption bonds;
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