National Pension System (NPS) is a retirement benefit Scheme introduced by the Government of India to facilitate a regular income post retirement to all the subscribers. PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) is the governing body for NPS.
Salient Features & Benefits
National Pension System (NPS) is based on unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) which is allotted to every subscriber. In order to encourage savings, the Government of India has made the scheme reassuring from security point of view and has offered some attractive benefits for. NPS account holders.
An NPS Account offers the following benefits:
- Regulated: NPS is regulated by PFRDA (Pension fund regulator under Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.) which ensures transparent norms governing the activities. NPS Trust ensures adherence to the guidelines through regular monitoring.
- Voluntary: It is a voluntary scheme for all citizens of India. You can invest any amount in your NPS account and at anytime.
- Flexibility: You have the flexibility to select or change the POP (Point of Presence), investment pattern and fund manager. This ensures that you can optimize returns as per your comfort with various asset class (Equity, Corporate Bonds, Government Securities and Alternate Assets) and fund managers.
- Economical : NPS is one of the lowest cost investment products available.
- Portability: NPS account or PRAN will remain same irrespective of change in employment, city or state.
- Superannuation Fund transfer: NPS account holders can transfer their Superannuation funds to their NPS account without any tax implication. (Post approval from relevant authorities)
- Tax Benefits: NPS offers triple tax benefits which are as follows:
Tax benefits for Salaried Individual
You can claim tax exemption upto Rs. 50,000 under section 80CCD (1B). This benefit is over an above limit of Rs. 1,50,000 under section 80C.
You may invest upto 10% of your basic salary + dearness allowance and claim tax exemption on the invested amount under section 80CCD (1). This tax exemption is subject to a limit of Rs. 1,50,000 under section 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961.
Tax Benefits for Self Employed Individual
You can claim tax exemption upto Rs. 50,000 under section 80CCD (1B). This benefit is over an above limit of Rs. 1,50,000 under section 80C.
You may invest upto 20% of your gross annual income and claim tax exemption on the invested amount under section 80CCD(1). This tax exemption is subject to a limit of Rs. 1,50,000 under section 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961.
*Employer contribution benefit is capped upto 7.5 lakhs invested as Employer contribution towards NPS, PF & Superannuation