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CMA Amit Bansal

The National Pension System (NPS) is a pension cum investment scheme launched by Government of India to provide old age security to Citizens of India. It brings an attractive long term saving avenue to effectively plan your retirement through safe and regulated market-based return. The Scheme is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). National Pension System Trust (NPST) established by PFRDA is the registered owner of all assets under NPS. Contribution can be made by Employee himself or his Employer. Also any person not in Employment i.e. Self Employed can also contribute to NPS. In this article we are covering some important points related to NPS.

Natioanal Pension Scheme NPS - reminder of the need for savings for a decent, comfortable old age. Retirement plan

1. Who control NPS in India?

The pension scheme is administered on behalf of the government by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority India (PFRDA).  (http://www.pfrda.org.in/)

2. Eligibility to Contribute?

NPS is open to all citizens of India between the ages of 18 and 60 on a voluntary basis. An NRI can also contribute to NPS. This Scheme can be participated with in addition to PPF and EPF.

3. Process to participate?

a. For New Registration :

https://enps.nsdl.com/eNPS/OnlineSubscriberRegistration.html?appType=main

To open a new NPS, Subscriber needs to have either PAN Card or Aadhaar and a Bank Account.

Also while making registration Picture and Signature need to be uploaded within 4 – 12 KB.

After filling up all the required information payment can be made from selected Bank Account.

On Successful registration a PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) is generated along with a letter. Such Letter need to be signed and send to CRA (Central Recordkeeping Agency) in 90 Days.

After that Subscriber will then receive PRAN Kit which will contain Card, TPIN, Master Report and Welcome Letter.

b. For Contribution:

https://enps.nsdl.com/eNPS/InitialExistingUser.html

Tier I:

  1. Minimum amount per contribution – Rs. 500
  2. Minimum contribution per Financial Year – Rs. 1,000
  3. Minimum number of contributions in a Financial Year – one

Tier II:

  1. Minimum amount per contribution – Rs. 250
  2. No minimum balance required

Any Contribution is charged with fees of Higher of Rs. 20 or 0.25% of the Contribution made, each time the Subscriber makes such contribution. Maximum 50% of such contribution can be allocated to Equity.  Rest of the fund will be parked in Debt.

4. Taxability of NPS?

NPS in India works on EET model i.e. exempt at the time of Investment, Exempt on Appreciation and Taxable on Withdrawal. Newly proposed Direct Tax Code want to make this an EEE model.

For Salaried :
Employee Contribution Employer Contribution
Amount of Deduction:

Under Section 80CCD (1):

Employee can contribute any amount to NPS, but for the purpose of Income Tax he is eligible for deduction of 10 % of the Salary, restricted to the limit of Section 80CCE i.e. Rs. 1.5 Lacs

Under Section 80CCD (1B):

Finance Act 2015 provides an additional deduction benefit of Rs. 50,000 to the Investor with the intention to boost Investment towards NPS. This benefit is apart from the limit of 80CCD (1) & over and above limits of 80CCE

Amount of Deduction:

Under Section 80CCD (2):

Employer can contribute any amount to the NPS of his employee but deduction will be restricted to 10 % of the Salary of such employee.  This contribution is not included in overall limit of Rs. 1.5 Lacs Under Section 80CCE

Under Section 36 (1) (iv) (a) :

Employer can claim such contribution towards NPS of his Employee as Business Expense

Salary means Basic Salary plus Dearness Allowance Salary means Basic Salary plus Dearness Allowance
For Self Employed :
Gross Total Income (GTI) means Income before giving any Deduction under Chapter VI A
Amount of Deduction :

Under Section 80CCD (1):

Any person can register for NPS and can contribute any amount to NPS, but for Income Tax purpose deduction will be limited to 10 % of the GTI, further restricted to the limit of Section 80CCE i.e. Rs. 1.5 Lacs

Under Section 80CCD (1B):

 Finance Act 2015 provides an additional deduction benefit of Rs. 50,000 to the Investor with the intention to boost Investment towards NPS. This benefit is apart from the limit of 80CCD (1) & over and above limits of 80CCE

5. Withdrawal from NPS?

a. Retire Before Age of 60:

Minimum 75% of the fund shall be invested in purchasing Annuity Plan and the rest lump sum amount of 25 % can be withdrawn

b. Retire on or after Age of 60 :

Minimum 40% of the fund shall be invested in purchasing Annuity Plan and the rest 60% can be withdrawn

Note: Contribution towards Annuity is Not Taxable, but any other amount withdrawn is Taxable as and when received.  Such contribution towards Annuity Plan is Taxable under head Income from Other Source on Maturity.

NPS Account have to be mandatory to be closed on reaching the age of 70 years and the Balance fund withdrawn shall be Taxable.

Republished with Amendments

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7 Comments

  1. Bhadkamkar Avinash Vishnu says:

    The total contribution by employer in F.Y. 2020-21 is restricted to Rs.750000/- in PF, NPS and Superannuation. I understand that interest on PF is also included in Rs.750000/- Whether the interest on opening balance as on 01-04-2020 is also to be considered along with contribution in 2020-21? Contribution in PF is 12% of Basic DA, NPS is 10% of Basic + DA and Superannuation scheme is 15% of Basic only. Till 31-03-2020 the ceiling of Rs.150000/- was only for Superannuation scheme. Now for F. Y. 2020-21 schemewise % ceiling is to be considered or total ceiling of Rs.750000/- is to be considered?

  2. ann says:

    can a salaried person invest in other insurance products u/s 80c upto limit of 1.5 lacs & claim 50000.00 (part of compulsary 10% of salary) as deduction under 80CCD (1B) making total limit of 2lacs?

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