The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has added a new function to the National Pension Scheme (NPS) for systematic withdrawal.
NPS (National Pension Scheme): A Quick Overview
- The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a voluntary retirement savings scheme established by the Indian government in 2004.
- The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) regulates and administers it.
- The major goal of the NPS is to provide individuals with a pension income upon retirement.
The NPS’s main characteristics are as follows:
- Contributions: During their working years, subscribers make regular contributions to their NPS account. Over time, these contributions add up and grow.
- Investment Options: The NPS provides two investment options: a) Auto Choice, in which funds are invested based on the subscriber’s age, and b) Active Choice, in which the subscriber can choose the asset classes (equity, corporate bonds, and government securities) as well as the fund manager.
- Portable Account: Because the NPS account is portable, subscribers can keep their account even if they change employment or regions.
- Withdrawal Options: When subscribers retire, they have the option of withdrawing a portion of their accumulated corpus as a lump sum and using the remainder to purchase an annuity, which offers a regular pension income.
- Tax Advantages: NPS provides tax advantages at various phases. Subscription contributions are tax deductible under Section 80C, whereas withdrawals are subject to various tax exemptions.
- The PFRDA regulates and oversees the NPS, ensuring openness and oversight of the scheme. It adheres to tight investment criteria and has systems in place to protect subscribers’ interests.
- Broad Coverage: All Indian citizens, including paid employees, self-employed individuals, and non-resident Indians (NRIs), are eligible for the NPS.
Benefits of the NPS
- Retirement Income: The NPS provides a retirement income to subscribers, ensuring financial security during their post-retirement years.
- Long-term money Creation: The NPS’s investing component allows subscribers to create money over time, possibly producing better returns and accumulating a sizable retirement corpus.
- Subscribers have the opportunity to choose their investment alternatives and actively manage their NPS accounts, giving them some influence over their retirement savings.
- Tax Advantages: The NPS provides tax advantages on both contributions and withdrawals, making it a tax-efficient retirement savings choice.
- Portability: The NPS’s portability feature allows subscribers to keep their accounts despite job changes or relocations.
- The NPS is governed by the PFRDA, ensuring a safe and transparent framework for retirement savings.
Changes include the implementation of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
- Following retirement, NPS subscribers will be able to take 60% of their contributions in stages.
- The present one-time withdrawal system will be phased down.
- Annuities must account for 40% of donations.
- The subscriber can tailor systematic withdrawals to their own requirements.
- Withdrawals can be done in one single sum or monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
- This function is available to people aged 60 to 75.
Advantages of this change
- Flexibility: Subscribers can tailor their withdrawals to their own financial needs.
- Systematic withdrawals give a consistent income stream after retirement.
- Better Financial Planning: Facilitates better financial planning and management.
Source: https://enps.nsdl.com/eNPS/NationalPensionSystem.html