When I opted for National Pension Scheme(NPS) 3 years back, the main purpose was to save tax. Yes, NPS help us reduce tax liability but it also gives you option for some pension option after retirement. There are benefits as well as drawbacks of NPS which i would like to explain. It will help someone to decide when he/she plans to opt for NPS.
Person between age 18 to 60 can join NPS scheme.
How it works:
There are 2 ways you can open NPS account.
1. Through Employer
2. Self
1. Through Employer: Contribution of up to 10% of your basic salary. Entire amount is exempted and will not be included in Taxable income.
2. Self: You can open NPS account in with any of the NPS POP-SP (Point of presence - Service provider). Steps to open NPS account is available on NPS website at
https://www.npscra.nsdl.co.in/steps-to-join-nps.php
Don't worry of these complex terms like POP-SP, Almost all well known banks are NPS service providers so you can go to any bank and collect NPS account opening form.
You can also download form from NPS website at
https://npscra.nsdl.co.in/subscribers-corner-form.php
There are 2 types of account option
1. Tier 1 which is default and mandatory. All tax benefits are applicable to Tier 1 investments.
2. Tier 2 which is optional.
When you contribute your money in NPS account, it is distributed into 3 types of Fund.
1. Type E - Equity
2. Type C - Corporate bonds
3. Type G - Government bonds
You will choose percentage of distribution in each fund at the time of account opening.
You have to also select pension fund manager at the time of account opening.
Here is list of Pension Fund managers:
- UTI Retirement Solutions
- HDFC Pension Fund
- ICICI Prudential Pension Fund
- Kotak Pension Fund
- Reliance Capital Pension Fund
- SBI Pension Funds
- LIC Pension Fund
- Birla Sun Life Pension Management Ltd
You can compare past performance of these funds before selecting your option.
Tax benefits:
1. Employer contribution which is 10% of your Basic is tax free under Section 80CCD(2).
2. Additional contribution of Rs. 50000/- under section 80CCD(1B).
These are few basic things to know while investing in NPS.
I will give more details in about it in another post.
