What is the National Pension Scheme (NPS) for NRI?
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a voluntary, long-term pension plan offered by the Government of India that provides financial security during your golden years. This scheme offers a structured and tax-efficient way to build a retirement corpus for NRIs.
NPS offers a mix of equity, fixed deposits, liquid funds, and government funds for investment. Contributions are invested with the aim of providing stable returns in the long run. NRIs can avail of tax benefits under certain conditions and have the flexibility to choose their fund manager and investment allocation within NPS.
Features of the National Pension Scheme for NRI
The NPS, a government-sponsored pension scheme, offers the following key features:
| Features |
Description |
| Two Tier Structure |
Tier I (mandatory) for pension, Tier II (optional) for investment |
| Investment Options |
NRIs can choose between equity, fixed deposits, government bonds, and alternative investment funds within the NPS framework. |
| Low Cost |
Fund management charges as low as 0.01% |
| High Returns |
Market-linked with average annual returns of 9% - 15% p.a. |
| Tax Benefits |
Tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1), 80CCD(2), and 80CCD(1B) on Tier I contributions in India |
| Flexibility & Portability |
Choose investment mix, switch PFM, portable across jobs & countries |
| Minimum Contribution |
- Rs. 500 for Tier I
- Rs. 1,000 for Tier II
|
| Withdrawal Options |
40% annuity, 60% lump sum (at 60), more flexibility based on corpus & age |
| Investment Choices |
Active (choose asset allocation) or Auto Choice (age-based) |
| Entry Requirement |
18-70 years, NRI with KYC compliance |
| Contribution Sources |
NRE or NRO account |
Eligibility Criteria to Invest in NPS
To invest in the National Pension System (NPS), individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria:
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Age: Individuals aged 18 to 60 years are eligible to invest in the National Pension System (NPS).
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Citizenship: Both Indian residents and non-residents are allowed to participate in NPS.
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KYC Compliance: Investors must complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process to be eligible.
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Unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN): Investors need to obtain a PRAN to open an NPS account.
What are the Benefits of NPS for NRI?
The following key benefits of the National Pension Scheme (NPS) for the NRI:


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Invest in India: NPS offers NRIs hassle-free access to investment options in India.
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Market-Linked Returns: Build a corpus in long-term with market-linked returns.
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Tax Advantages: Enjoy tax benefits of up to Rs. 2 lakhs on NPS contributions as an NRI.
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Guaranteed Pension: At retirement, 40% of your savings becomes an annuity plan.
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Retirement Security: Build a robust retirement corpus with NPS, ensuring financial security.
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Low-Cost Structure: Enjoy higher returns with minimal charges, maximizing overall gains.
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Lump Sum Benefits: You can take 60% of your corpus as a lump sum on retirement to purchase that dream house, or car, or go on a vacation.
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Easy Repatriation: Repatriate NPS proceeds effortlessly when the need arises.
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Online Management: Efficiently manage NPS accounts online, offering convenience.
What are the Tax Benefits of NPS for NRI
The tax benefits on gain and income earned from your investments in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) for NRIs are listed below:
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Employee Tax Benefits for Self-Contribution:
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Deduction of up to 10% of salary (Basic + DA) under Section 80CCD(1), max Rs. 1.5 lakh (Section 80CCE).
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Additional Rs. 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) within Rs. 1.5 lakh limit.
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Employer Contribution Tax Benefits:
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Tax Benefits for Self-Employed Individuals:
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Up to 20% deduction of gross income under Section 80CCD(1).
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Additional Rs. 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) within Rs. 1.5 lakh limit (Section 80CCE).
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Tax-Exempt Partial Withdrawals:
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Tax Exemption on Annuity Purchase:
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Tax Advantages on Lump Sum Withdrawal:
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Corporate/Employer Tax Breaks:


What are the Different Types of NPS Accounts for NRI?
National Pension Scheme offers two types of NPS accounts to NRI investors:
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Tier I NPS Account:
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Mandatory retirement account.
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Maturity amount at age 60.
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Partial withdrawals are allowed after age 50.
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Tier II NPS Account:
What is the Difference Between NPS Tier-I And Tier-II Accounts for NRI?
This concise table highlights key differences between NPS Tier-I and Tier-II accounts for NRIs in Singapore:
| Aspect |
NPS Tier-I Account |
NPS Tier-II Account |
| Accessibility |
Restricted, primarily for retirement savings. |
Flexible, allows withdrawals anytime. |
| Withdrawals |
Limited, permitted under specific conditions. |
Unrestricted, can withdraw anytime. |
| Tax Benefits |
Offers tax benefits under Section 80CCD. |
No additional tax benefits beyond standard. |
| Purpose |
Intended for long-term retirement planning. |
Suitable for short-term financial goals. |
| Minimum Contribution |
Mandatory regular contributions. |
No mandatory contributions, flexible deposits. |
| Account Type |
Mandatory for all NPS subscribers. |
Optional, can be opened alongside Tier-I. |
| Portability |
Portable across employers and locations. |
Portable but linked to Tier-I account. |
| Investment Options |
Limited choice with a mix of equity and debt. |
Broader investment choices including equities. |
| Lock-in Period |
Generally, funds are locked until retirement. |
No lock-in period, can withdraw anytime. |
How Can an NRI Invest in NPS?
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India offers both an online and offline process to open an NPS account. Let's take a look at how to open an NPS account.
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Online Process
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Visit the official NPS website.
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Complete the online registration process.
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Provide necessary KYC documents.
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Choose the preferred NPS fund and contribution amount.
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Make an online payment through available options.
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Offline Process
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Visit a designated NPS Point of Presence (PoP) in Singapore.
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Fill out the NPS registration form.
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Submit KYC documents along with the form.
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Select the desired NPS fund and contribution amount.
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Make the payment through the PoP in person.
Invest ₹10K/Month YOU GET ₹1.5 LAKHS* MONTHLY PENSION View Plans
Invest ₹7K/Month YOU GET ₹1 LAKHS* MONTHLY PENSION View Plans
Invest ₹5K/Month YOU GET ₹75 THOUSAND* MONTHLY PENSION View Plans
standard T&C Apply *
NPS vs. Other Tax-Saving Investments
Let us look at the comparison between the NPS scheme and other tax-saving investments for NRI:
| Investment |
Interest |
Lock-in Period |
Risk Profile |
| NPS |
9%-12% |
Till retirement |
Market-related risk |
| ELSS |
12%-15% |
3 years |
Market-related risk |
| PPF |
7.1% (Guaranteed) |
15 years |
Risk-free |
| FD |
7%-9%(Guaranteed) |
5 years |
Risk-free |
*The taxability on NPS scheme withdrawals is subject to change.
Conclusion
National Pension Scheme (NPS) presents a strategic and flexible investment option for retirement planning for NRIs in Singapore. With its tax benefits, diverse investment options, and portability, the NPS offers a customized solution to secure financial well-being after retirement. NRIs can leverage this robust pension scheme to build a sustainable and secure future, making informed investment choices to suit their individual financial goals.