A substantial corpus creation for one’s retirement phase is an essential aspect to take care of during financial planning. It not only allows individuals to fulfil their expenditure requirements but also allows them to sail through their post-retirement life with the least hassles.
To address this concern of the growing senior citizen demography in the country, the Indian Government thus introduced schemes like the National Pension System or NPS. The scheme allows for systemised savings during one’s working years, thus inculcating a financial discipline among individuals to save for the future.
An initiative undertaken by the Government of India, the National Pension System seeks to provide retirement benefits to all citizens of India, even from the unorganised sectors. Regulated and administered by the PFRDA or Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority under the PFRDA Act 2013, NPS is a defined, voluntary contribution scheme that is market-linked and managed by professional fund managers.
Contributions made by individual subscribers to a National Pensions Scheme under the system accumulate until retirement and corpus growth continues via market-linked returns. Subscribers also have an option to exit this plan before retirement or opt for superannuation. However, this scheme ensures that a part of savings is utilised to provide a subscriber with retirement benefits.
Thus, on retirement, exit or superannuation, at least 40% of the contribution is utilised for the procurement of lifetime pension via the purchase of an annuity. The remaining funds are paid to the subscriber in a lump sum.
The National Pension System allows individuals to make systematic investments via either of the following two accounts. Account opening with the National Pension System is followed by the generation of a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number or PRAN issued to each subscriber. Fund management, including contribution to this scheme, is done via PRAN.
The former functions as a pension account and withdrawals from it are subject to specific restrictions. An individual can open this account with a minimum deposit of Rs. 500.
As for Tier-II accounts, they are voluntary accounts providing liquidity of funds via investments and withdrawals. The minimum deposit one needs to make for a Tier II account is Rs. 250
However, investments in Tier-II accounts are allowed only when an active Tier I account in the subscriber’s name exists.
Thus, as per the National Pension System architecture, individuals can subscribe to the National Pensions Scheme with PFRDA-appointed intermediaries via the two accounts mentioned above. These intermediaries can include –
Subscribers can opt for either of the following two investment options, thus providing the flexibility of choice.
It is available as a default option for subscribers as per the system. Fund investments under this option are managed automatically by an appointed fund manager as per an investor’s age profile.
Under this option, individuals are free to decide among available asset classes in which to invest their funds. Also, they can allocate different percentages of contributed funds to be invested in with a maximum cap of 50% for Asset Class E or Equities. Other Asset Classes include Class C, i.e., Corporate Debt Securities and Class G or Government Securities.
Alongside, subscribers also have an option to switch their investment options as well as change their fund manager. These options are, however, subject to certain constraints.
Another of NPS scheme benefits includes an option to withdraw their contributions partially. It gives individuals partial accessibility to their funds saved over the years, thus allowing them to meet financial needs before retirement during emergencies.
As per the rules regarding partial withdrawal, a subscriber can make withdrawals of their Tier I scheme contribution up to a maximum limit of 25%.
Withdrawals are, however, subject to the following clauses.
Income tax benefits for National Pension Scheme investments are available under the following sections.
| Applicable Sections under the Income Tax Act 1961 | Tax Benefits Allowed |
| U/S 80CCD (1) | Own contribution of a subscriber towards Tier I investments tax deductible within the total ceiling of Rs.1.5 lakh u/s 80C. |
| U/S 80CCD 1(B) | In addition to deductions under section 80CCD (1), subscribers are allowed up to Rs.50,000 as deductions towards Tier I contributions. |
| U/S 80CCD (2) | Contribution of an employer towards Tier I investments is eligible for deduction up to 14% for central government contributions and up to 10% for others. This deduction is over and above the deduction limit applicable u/s 80C. |
Other tax benefits on NPS Tier I investments include –
Thus, after 60 years of age if the total corpus created through National Pension System amounts to Rs. 20 Lakh, a lump sum withdrawal of 40%, i.e., Rs.8 lakh will not attract any tax. Further, if you utilise the remaining 60% of funds for annuity purchase, the entire corpus will be tax-free. Only that, income generated from the annuity will be taxable.
Individuals can register and obtain a subscription for the National Pension System through the online platform eNPS. Registration for the scheme can be done in the following steps.
Step 1 – Go to the eNPS portal available at the official website of the National Pension System.
Step 2 – Choose your subscriber type from the available options ‘Individual Subscriber’ and ‘Corporate Subscriber’.
Step 3 – Choose your suitable residential status. The options include ‘Citizen of India’ and ‘NRI’.
Step 4 – Opt for either Tier I account type or both accounts as a choice of the former is mandatory for long-term savings.
Step 5 – Enter your PAN details and select a suitable bank or PoP. It is ideal to choose a PoP with whom you have an existing relationship such as a savings/current/Demat/account for KYC verification as the chosen PoP will do it.
Step 6 – Upload the scanned copy of your PAN card along with a cancelled cheque. The image format should be in .jpg, .jpeg or .png format with a file size of 4KB to 2MB.
Step 7 – Next, upload your scanned photograph and signature in the same format and size as above.
Step 8 – Once routed to the payment gateway, proceed to pay the required charges via net Banking.
Step 9 – With the completion of payment, your Permanent Retirement Account Number will be generated.
While this was the process of completing PRAN generation for all subscribers, NRIs need to complete a few additional steps as follows.
Once the PRAN is allotted, an applicant needs to proceed with either of the following steps for authentication.
Note that service charges are applicable for e-signing your registration form. However, if you are unable to complete the online authentication process, you can opt for the alternative option given below.
Central Recordkeeping Agency (eNPS)
NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,
1st Floor, Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg,
Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400 013
An individual’s eligibility for the National Pension System depends on the various NPS models in operation. These are –
The pension system is applicable for government employees, both central and state, except for those employed with the armed forces. Under this model, a contribution of 10% of a government employee’s salary goes to the National Pension System with an equal contribution by the government. Central Government employees receive a contribution of 14% from the government.
Also, all states in the country have implemented NPS National Pension System, excluding the Government of West Bengal.
As per the corporate model, corporate employees enrolled by their employers can utilise the benefits of the pension system. To do so, they must be Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 60 years fulfilling the KYC requirements.
The model is applicable for entities as under.
All citizens of India meeting the following eligibility criteria can voluntarily opt for enrolment and contribute to the NPS pension scheme towards their retirement security.
Any Indian citizen between the age group of 18 and 60 complying with the KYC requirements and qualifying for either of the NPS models can invest with the system.
Yes, an NRI can opt for the National Pension Scheme for retirement corpus creation provided he/she maintains the residential status until exit from the scheme.
You can check the list of authorised PoPs at NPS’s official website to confirm whether your bank serves as a PoP or not.
No, the scheme comes with a unique PRAN for each individual and thus does not allow multiple accounts for a single person.[/vc_column_text]
A substantial corpus creation for one’s retirement phase is an essential aspect to take care of during financial planning. It not only allows individuals to fulfil their expenditure requirements but also allows them to sail through their post-retirement life with the least hassles.
To address this concern of the growing senior citizen demography in the country, the Indian Government thus introduced schemes like the National Pension System or NPS. The scheme allows for systemised savings during one’s working years, thus inculcating a financial discipline among individuals to save for the future.
An initiative undertaken by the Government of India, the National Pension System seeks to provide retirement benefits to all citizens of India, even from the unorganised sectors. Regulated and administered by the PFRDA or Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority under the PFRDA Act 2013, NPS is a defined, voluntary contribution scheme that is market-linked and managed by professional fund managers.
Contributions made by individual subscribers to a National Pensions Scheme under the system accumulate until retirement and corpus growth continues via market-linked returns. Subscribers also have an option to exit this plan before retirement or opt for superannuation. However, this scheme ensures that a part of savings is utilised to provide a subscriber with retirement benefits.
Thus, on retirement, exit or superannuation, at least 40% of the contribution is utilised for the procurement of lifetime pension via the purchase of an annuity. The remaining funds are paid to the subscriber in a lump sum.
The National Pension System allows individuals to make systematic investments via either of the following two accounts. Account opening with the National Pension System is followed by the generation of a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number or PRAN issued to each subscriber. Fund management, including contribution to this scheme, is done via PRAN.
The former functions as a pension account and withdrawals from it are subject to specific restrictions. An individual can open this account with a minimum deposit of Rs. 500.
As for Tier-II accounts, they are voluntary accounts providing liquidity of funds via investments and withdrawals. The minimum deposit one needs to make for a Tier II account is Rs. 250
However, investments in Tier-II accounts are allowed only when an active Tier I account in the subscriber’s name exists.
Thus, as per the National Pension System architecture, individuals can subscribe to the National Pensions Scheme with PFRDA-appointed intermediaries via the two accounts mentioned above. These intermediaries can include –
Subscribers can opt for either of the following two investment options, thus providing the flexibility of choice.
It is available as a default option for subscribers as per the system. Fund investments under this option are managed automatically by an appointed fund manager as per an investor’s age profile.
Under this option, individuals are free to decide among available asset classes in which to invest their funds. Also, they can allocate different percentages of contributed funds to be invested in with a maximum cap of 50% for Asset Class E or Equities. Other Asset Classes include Class C, i.e., Corporate Debt Securities and Class G or Government Securities.
Alongside, subscribers also have an option to switch their investment options as well as change their fund manager. These options are, however, subject to certain constraints.
Another of NPS scheme benefits includes an option to withdraw their contributions partially. It gives individuals partial accessibility to their funds saved over the years, thus allowing them to meet financial needs before retirement during emergencies.
As per the rules regarding partial withdrawal, a subscriber can make withdrawals of their Tier I scheme contribution up to a maximum limit of 25%.
Withdrawals are, however, subject to the following clauses.
Income tax benefits for National Pension Scheme investments are available under the following sections.
| Applicable Sections under the Income Tax Act 1961 | Tax Benefits Allowed |
| U/S 80CCD (1) | Own contribution of a subscriber towards Tier I investments tax deductible within the total ceiling of Rs.1.5 lakh u/s 80C. |
| U/S 80CCD 1(B) | In addition to deductions under section 80CCD (1), subscribers are allowed up to Rs.50,000 as deductions towards Tier I contributions. |
| U/S 80CCD (2) | Contribution of an employer towards Tier I investments is eligible for deduction up to 14% for central government contributions and up to 10% for others. This deduction is over and above the deduction limit applicable u/s 80C. |
Other tax benefits on NPS Tier I investments include –
Thus, after 60 years of age if the total corpus created through National Pension System amounts to Rs. 20 Lakh, a lump sum withdrawal of 40%, i.e., Rs.8 lakh will not attract any tax. Further, if you utilise the remaining 60% of funds for annuity purchase, the entire corpus will be tax-free. Only that, income generated from the annuity will be taxable.
Individuals can register and obtain a subscription for the National Pension System through the online platform eNPS. Registration for the scheme can be done in the following steps.
Step 1 – Go to the eNPS portal available at the official website of the National Pension System.
Step 2 – Choose your subscriber type from the available options ‘Individual Subscriber’ and ‘Corporate Subscriber’.
Step 3 – Choose your suitable residential status. The options include ‘Citizen of India’ and ‘NRI’.
Step 4 – Opt for either Tier I account type or both accounts as a choice of the former is mandatory for long-term savings.
Step 5 – Enter your PAN details and select a suitable bank or PoP. It is ideal to choose a PoP with whom you have an existing relationship such as a savings/current/Demat/account for KYC verification as the chosen PoP will do it.
Step 6 – Upload the scanned copy of your PAN card along with a cancelled cheque. The image format should be in .jpg, .jpeg or .png format with a file size of 4KB to 2MB.
Step 7 – Next, upload your scanned photograph and signature in the same format and size as above.
Step 8 – Once routed to the payment gateway, proceed to pay the required charges via net Banking.
Step 9 – With the completion of payment, your Permanent Retirement Account Number will be generated.
While this was the process of completing PRAN generation for all subscribers, NRIs need to complete a few additional steps as follows.
Once the PRAN is allotted, an applicant needs to proceed with either of the following steps for authentication.
Note that service charges are applicable for e-signing your registration form. However, if you are unable to complete the online authentication process, you can opt for the alternative option given below.
Central Recordkeeping Agency (eNPS)
NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,
1st Floor, Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg,
Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400 013
An individual’s eligibility for the National Pension System depends on the various NPS models in operation. These are –
The pension system is applicable for government employees, both central and state, except for those employed with the armed forces. Under this model, a contribution of 10% of a government employee’s salary goes to the National Pension System with an equal contribution by the government. Central Government employees receive a contribution of 14% from the government.
Also, all states in the country have implemented NPS National Pension System, excluding the Government of West Bengal.
As per the corporate model, corporate employees enrolled by their employers can utilise the benefits of the pension system. To do so, they must be Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 60 years fulfilling the KYC requirements.
The model is applicable for entities as under.
All citizens of India meeting the following eligibility criteria can voluntarily opt for enrolment and contribute to the NPS pension scheme towards their retirement security.
Any Indian citizen between the age group of 18 and 60 complying with the KYC requirements and qualifying for either of the NPS models can invest with the system.
Yes, an NRI can opt for the National Pension Scheme for retirement corpus creation provided he/she maintains the residential status until exit from the scheme.
You can check the list of authorised PoPs at NPS’s official website to confirm whether your bank serves as a PoP or not.
No, the scheme comes with a unique PRAN for each individual and thus does not allow multiple accounts for a single person.
