The National Pension System (NPS)[1] is a defined-contribution pension system operated by the Government of India. In 2004, the Government of India decided to move from a defined-benefit pension system to a defined-contribution pension system. Apart from offering a range of investment options to employees, the scheme allows individuals to make decisions about where their pension fund is invested, permits limited withdrawal prior to retirement and reduces the total pension liabilities of the Government of India. The scheme is structured in two tiers. A tier-1 account is a basic retirement pension account available to all citizens from 1 May 2009. It does not permit withdrawal of funds before retirement. A tier-2 account is a Prospective payment system (PPS) account that permits some withdrawal of pension prior to retirement under exceptional circumstances, usually related to the provision of health care.
The pension scheme is administered on behalf of the government by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Coverage and eligibility
NPS is open to all citizens of India between the ages of 18 and 60 on a voluntary basis.
It is mandatory for central government employees appointed on or after 1 January 2004, except for members of the armed forces, to have a tier-1 NPS pension. The employee contribution is fixed at 10% per month which is matched by an employer contribution of the same amount.
In addition to the above pension account, each individual can have a voluntary tier-II (PPS) account.
Contribution guidelines
PFRDA has set the following guidelines with regard to subscriber contribution:
Minimum amount per contribution: Rs. 500
Minimum number of contributions: 1 per year
Minimum annual contribution: Rs 6,000 in each subscriber account.
Maximum annual contribution: Rs 12,000 in each subscriber account.
Investment options
Under the investment guidelines finalized for the NPS, pension funds are invested in three separate asset classes. The three asset classes are equity, government securities and a range of fixed income instruments. Subscribers are able to decide how their NPS pension fund is allocated across the three asset classes....
In case the subscriber does not exercise any choice with regard to asset allocation, the contribution is invested in accordance with the ‘Auto choice’ option. In this option, the investment is determined by a predefined template that allocates funds according to the average expectation of investors at different stages of their life. The basic assumption, in line with industry guidelines, is that young people can afford to make riskier investments but security of return becomes more important as retirement approaches.
Investment charges[edit]
NPS levies a nominal investment management charge of 0.010% on net assets under management (AUM).[2]
Withdrawal norms
There is a requirement for subscribers who leave the scheme before retirement (or age 60, whichever is the earlier) to invest 80% of their accumulated savings in a life annuity from a life insurance company approved by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). The remaining 20% is eligible for withdrawal as a lump sum.
On retirement, at age 60, subscribers are required to invest at least 40% of their pension fund in an annuity and the remaining 60% can be redeemed as a lump sum. In the case of government employees, the annuity provides for pension for the lifetime of the employee and his dependent parents and spouse at the time of retirement.
Subscribers may remain in the scheme after their 60th birthday for the purpose of receiving interest on their account, but may not make further contributions after that date. If a subscriber does not exit the system on or before their 70th birthday, the account is closed and the benefits are transferred to the subscriber as a lump sum. If a subscriber dies, the nominee has the option to receive the account total as a lump sum.
Tax treatment
The scheme permits subscribers to benefit, as applicable, under the Income Tax Act (1961). As of 2015, this means that up to a variable limit, contributions to the scheme are tax-exempt, but that withdrawals are counted as taxable income (EET). These tax benefits apply to all contributions, including those made by employers. From tax year 2012-13, employers contributions and employee contributions have been treated separately for tax purposes, an arrangement that permits employer contributions to rise without affecting employee tax liability.
Past investment returns
In 2014–15, the average weighted return on the fund was 12.5%. As of 15 May 2014, return on investment for private sector employees who opted for Equities was 8.38%. During tax year 2013-14, the eight pension funds used for central government employees showed returns of between 8% and 14%.
The pension scheme is administered on behalf of the government by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Coverage and eligibility
NPS is open to all citizens of India between the ages of 18 and 60 on a voluntary basis.
It is mandatory for central government employees appointed on or after 1 January 2004, except for members of the armed forces, to have a tier-1 NPS pension. The employee contribution is fixed at 10% per month which is matched by an employer contribution of the same amount.
In addition to the above pension account, each individual can have a voluntary tier-II (PPS) account.
Contribution guidelines
PFRDA has set the following guidelines with regard to subscriber contribution:
Minimum amount per contribution: Rs. 500
Minimum number of contributions: 1 per year
Minimum annual contribution: Rs 6,000 in each subscriber account.
Maximum annual contribution: Rs 12,000 in each subscriber account.
Investment options
Under the investment guidelines finalized for the NPS, pension funds are invested in three separate asset classes. The three asset classes are equity, government securities and a range of fixed income instruments. Subscribers are able to decide how their NPS pension fund is allocated across the three asset classes....
In case the subscriber does not exercise any choice with regard to asset allocation, the contribution is invested in accordance with the ‘Auto choice’ option. In this option, the investment is determined by a predefined template that allocates funds according to the average expectation of investors at different stages of their life. The basic assumption, in line with industry guidelines, is that young people can afford to make riskier investments but security of return becomes more important as retirement approaches.
Investment charges[edit]
NPS levies a nominal investment management charge of 0.010% on net assets under management (AUM).[2]
Withdrawal norms
There is a requirement for subscribers who leave the scheme before retirement (or age 60, whichever is the earlier) to invest 80% of their accumulated savings in a life annuity from a life insurance company approved by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). The remaining 20% is eligible for withdrawal as a lump sum.
On retirement, at age 60, subscribers are required to invest at least 40% of their pension fund in an annuity and the remaining 60% can be redeemed as a lump sum. In the case of government employees, the annuity provides for pension for the lifetime of the employee and his dependent parents and spouse at the time of retirement.
Subscribers may remain in the scheme after their 60th birthday for the purpose of receiving interest on their account, but may not make further contributions after that date. If a subscriber does not exit the system on or before their 70th birthday, the account is closed and the benefits are transferred to the subscriber as a lump sum. If a subscriber dies, the nominee has the option to receive the account total as a lump sum.
Tax treatment
The scheme permits subscribers to benefit, as applicable, under the Income Tax Act (1961). As of 2015, this means that up to a variable limit, contributions to the scheme are tax-exempt, but that withdrawals are counted as taxable income (EET). These tax benefits apply to all contributions, including those made by employers. From tax year 2012-13, employers contributions and employee contributions have been treated separately for tax purposes, an arrangement that permits employer contributions to rise without affecting employee tax liability.
Past investment returns
In 2014–15, the average weighted return on the fund was 12.5%. As of 15 May 2014, return on investment for private sector employees who opted for Equities was 8.38%. During tax year 2013-14, the eight pension funds used for central government employees showed returns of between 8% and 14%.
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