The Indian government introduced the National Pension Scheme (NPS) to encourage individuals to prepare financially for their retirement. The NPS is a voluntary scheme designed to help you build a retirement corpus. Initially launched for government employees on January 1, 2004, the scheme was later expanded to all Indian citizens on May 1, 2009. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) regulates it.
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NPS is a pension scheme that allows you to make regular contributions towards your retirement. Professional fund managers manage these investments, ensuring potential growth over time.
At the age of 60, you can withdraw up to 60% of your corpus from the National Pension Scheme, while the remaining 40% must be used to purchase an annuity. This annuity ensures a steady income stream during your retirement. There are two ways to contribute to NPS, each offering distinct benefits. Let's explore the details of the different account options under the National Pension Scheme.
The NPS offers two types of accounts: Tier I and Tier II. The Tier I account is intended for retirement savings, providing various tax benefits, but withdrawals are restricted until you reach the age of 60. In contrast, the Tier II account has no such limitations, allowing withdrawals at any time.
The Tier I account is mandatory when opening an NPS account, while the Tier II account can only be opened after the Tier I account is active, through a separate application.
Although the Tier I account has restrictions, partial withdrawals are allowed under specific circumstances, such as for medical emergencies, children's education, marriage expenses, or purchasing or constructing a house. This structure accommodates your essential life needs while encouraging long-term saving for your retirement.
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What are the Advantages of Contributing to the NPS Account?
Listed below are the key advantages of contributing to the NPS account:
Flexibility
NPS offers great flexibility for subscribers. If you're dissatisfied with the performance of your fund, you can change your fund manager. You can easily download the change request form online or pick it up from your nearest Point of Presence (POP). A small transaction fee applies when changing the fund manager. Additionally, NPS allows you to reallocate your investments between different asset classes, such as government securities, corporate bonds, and stocks.
Stabilisation of Risk-Returns
NPS balances risk and returns by capping equity exposure to 75%, which is reduced to 50% for senior citizens and government employees. After the age of 50, your equity allocation will decrease by 2.5% annually. This gradual reduction helps mitigate risk as you approach retirement, offering a more stable investment path in the long term.
Returns
For Tier I accounts, the minimum contribution is ₹500 per deposit, with a requirement of at least ₹1,000 in total annually. There's no limit to the number of contributions you can make throughout the year. For Tier II accounts, the minimum contribution per deposit is ₹250, with no annual minimum requirement. This provides flexibility for those looking to make smaller, more frequent contributions without a set yearly commitment.
Through the power of compounding, the NPS can provide significant long-term benefits. Using an NPS calculator helps you understand the lump sum amount and pension that you will receive at retirement based on your current contribution. You can visualise your financial readiness for retirement by contributing to your NPS account every month.
The formula to be used on an NPS calculator in India is
A = P (1 + r/n) ^ nt
Terms used in NPS Calculator
A
Total amount at maturity
P
Monthly contribution
r
Annual interest rate (in decimal form)
n
Number of times interest is compounded in a year
t
Number of years of investment
Tax Benefits
Section
Who Can Claim
Tax Benefit
Deduction Limit
Example
80CCD(1)
Salaried and self-employed individuals
- Deduction up to 10% of salary (Basic + DA) for salaried - Up to 20% of gross income for self-employed
Included within the overall ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80CCD(1)
Rohan’s Basic + DA = ₹9,00,00010% of ₹9,00,000 = ₹90,000Rohan can claim ₹90,000, but it is part of the ₹1.5 lakh cap including PPF, ELSS, LIC, etc.
80CCD(1B)
Any individual contributing to NPS
Additional deduction up to ₹50,000 beyond Section 80CCD(1)
Over and above the ₹1.5 lakh limit of Section 80CCD(1)
Rohan already claimed ₹1.5 lakh via PPF, ELSS, EPF. He invests another ₹50,000 in NPS, which is fully deductible under 80CCD(1B).
80CCD(2) – Old
Salaried employees with employer contribution (old regime)
Deduction up to 10% of salary (Basic + DA)
Over and above Section 80C and 80CCD(1B); no monetary cap, percentage-based only
Rohan’s Basic + DA = ₹10,50,000Employer contributes 10% = ₹1,05,000Rohan can claim ₹1,05,000 under Section 80CCD(2).
80CCD(2) – New
Salaried employees with employer contribution (new regime)
Deduction up to 14% of salary (Basic + DA)
Over and above Section 80C and 80CCD(1B); no monetary cap, percentage-based only
If employer uses new tax regime:14% of ₹10,50,000 = ₹1,47,000This is fully deductible under Section 80CCD(2).
Total Benefit
Salaried NPS subscriber (using all 3 sections)
Combined deduction from employee and employer contributions
To keep your NPS account active, you need to contribute at least ₹500 each time and a minimum of ₹1,000 in a year. There is no upper limit, so you can invest more based on your financial goals.
Is it worth contributing to NPS?
Yes, contributing to NPS is a smart choice for building a retirement fund. It offers good returns over the long term, tax benefits, and is regulated by the government, which makes it a safe and reliable option for retirement planning.
Can I contribute to NPS on my own?
Yes, you can contribute to NPS at any time. You don’t need an employer to do it for you. Contributions can be made easily online through the NPS website or app, making it very convenient for individuals.
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^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.
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^^The information relating to mutual funds presented in this article is for educational purpose only and is not meant for sale. Investment is subject to market risks and the risk is borne by the investor. Please consult your financial advisor before planning your investments.