Planning for retirement early gives you the advantage of a safer future. One of the best government-supported options in India is the National Pension System (NPS), known for its tax benefits, low charges, and flexibility. NPS offers two types of accounts – Tier I and Tier II – each serving different purposes. Let's understand how these accounts work and which one suits your retirement needs better.
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The Tier I account is the primary NPS account and is mandatory for all subscribers. Upon opening this account, you're issued a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
To open a Tier I account, you'll need to submit accurate details along with the necessary documents in the registration form.
The Key features of the Tier I Account are:
Minimum contribution: You will need to contribute ₹ 500 per contribution; the minimum contribution you can make per year is ₹ 1000.
Lock-in Period: The funds are locked in until you turn 60 years of age.
Tax Benefits: The tax benefits are eligible under sections 80C and 80CCD of the Income Tax Act
Account Opening Requirements:
A properly filled registration form
Valid KYC (know your customer) documents
Your initial contribution
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What is an NPS Tier II Account?
The Tier II account is optional and accessible only to existing Tier I subscribers. While it offers similar investment choices and fund charges as Tier I, it doesn't offer tax benefits.
The key features of the NPS Tier II Account are:
Minimum Contribution: You will need to make a contribution of ₹1000 at the time of opening; no minimum transaction afterwards.
Withdrawals: The withdrawals are flexible and are permitted at any time.
Tax benefits: There are no tax benefits in this account.
Investment options: The investment options are the same as those of the Tier I account, including government bonds, equity, and corporate bonds.
Fund management charges: The charges are 0.01% per annum, the same as Tier I
Key Highlights of the NPS Scheme
Eligibility: All Indian citizens between the age group of 18-60 years can open the NPS account.
Maturity Age: The maturity age of the scheme is 60 years, which can be further extended up to 70 years.
Interest Rate: The current interest rate applicable to the investment done in the NPS account is 9%-12%.
Tax Exemptions: You can claim NPS benefits up to 1.5 lakh under Section 80CCD (if not claimed under Section 80C) of the Income Tax Act.
Tax Benefits Under the National Pension System (NPS)
NPS offers tax-saving benefits under three specific sections of the Income Tax Act. Here's how each applies:
Section
Who Can Claim
Tax Benefit
Deduction Limit
Example
80CCD(1)
Salaried employees and self-employed individuals contributing to NPS
Deduction up to 10% of Basic + DA for salaried; 20% of gross income for self-employed
Included in overall ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80CCD(1) (includes PPF, ELSS, LIC, etc.)
Asha earns ₹9,60,000 (Basic + DA). 10% = ₹96,000. She can claim ₹96,000 under 80CCD(1), but only if total 80CCD(1) investments are below ₹1.5 lakh.
80CCD(1B)
All NPS subscribers (salaried or self-employed)
Additional deduction of up to ₹50,000 for NPS contributions
Over and above the ₹1.5 lakh 80CCD(1) limit
Asha has already claimed ₹1.5 lakh via PPF and EPF. She invests ₹50,000 more in NPS. This full amount is deductible under 80CCD(1B), increasing her total deduction to ₹2 lakh.
80CCD(2)
Salaried employees whose employer contributes to their NPS
- Up to 10% of Basic + DA (old regime) - Up to 14% (new regime)
Over and above ₹1.5 lakh (80CCD(1)) and ₹50,000 (80CCD(1B)); not available to self-employed
Asha's Basic + DA = ₹11,00,000. Employer contributes 10% = ₹1,10,000. She can claim this under 80CCD(2). Under the new regime, 14% = ₹1,54,000 is also deductible.
Top 5 Reasons to Include NPS in Your Retirement Planning
Dual Benefits: Power of Compounding and Low Cost
Start small, grow big. NPS allows contributions as low as:
Tier I: ₹ 500 per contribution (₹ 1,000/year minimum)
Tier II: ₹ 1,000 at account opening
Your money grows steadily through compounding and smart asset allocation.
Higher Returns than Traditional Schemes
Your NPS funds are invested in a mix of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities, delivering returns between 9% to 12%. That's often higher than PPF or fixed deposits.
Investment Flexibility
You have full control over how your money is invested:
Active Choice: Select your asset allocation manually
Auto Choice: Investments are allocated automatically based on age
Switching: you can change asset mix twice a year and pension fund once a year.
Comprehensive Tax Benefits
NPS follows the EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax model:
At Maturity: 60% withdrawal is tax-free; 40% goes into annuity (taxable as per slab)
Assured Retirement Income through Annuity
On retirement, 40% of your NPS corpus must be used to buy an annuity plan, ensuring a steady monthly pension. The remaining 60% can be withdrawn tax-free.
Wrapping it Up
With its structured investment framework, investing in the NPS system is a cost-effective step towards building a secure and resilient retirement plan. Whether you're an employee on a payslip or self-employed, NPS offers a perfect mix of tax savings, long-term wealth creation, and flexibility.
In 2025, the scheme continues to grow with technological tools, better savings performance, and financial awareness among investors. Stay consistent and let the power of investing work in your favour. If financial stability is your goal, NPS is one of the smartest choices you can make today.
Q1. What are the employee-specific benefits of an NPS account?
Ans: Employees contributing to the NPS system enjoy additional tax benefits:
For employee's contribution: Up to 10% of your salary (Basic + DA) under section 80CCD (1) with a cap of ₹1.5 lakhs per annum
For employer's contribution: Up to 10% of your salary (Basic + DA) is contributed by the employer under section 80CCD (2) with a cap of ₹ 1.5 lakhs per annum.
Q2. How does the NPS benefit the self-employed
Ans: Self-employed people can claim:
Dedication: You can claim a deduction of up to 20% of your gross income under 80CCD (1)
Additional deduction: You will also be eligible for tax deduction of up to ₹50000 under section 80CCD (1B) over the limit of ₹ 1.5 lakh.
Q3. What are the transactional charges of an NPS account?
Ans: Transactional charges may differ based on the point of presence (POP) and the mode of transaction. It is important to check the respective pop for detailed information.
Q4. Can NRIs open an NPS account?
Ans: Yes. All Non-Resident Indians are eligible to open an NPS account. However, contributions made by an NRI are subject to the RBI and FEMA regulatory requirements. You must note that PIOs and OCI cardholders are not eligible to make any NPS contributions. HUFs are also not eligible to open an NPS account.
Q5. Can I open an NPS account jointly with my spouse or children?
Ans: No. The joint account opening facility is not available for NPS accounts. Besides, joint operations of the account are also not available for and by HUFs.
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