NPS or National Pension Scheme is a Government initiative focussing on employees working in public and private sectors. The Government invests your savings in market-linked funds to facilitate inflation-adjusted pension for a secured post-retirement life. Eligible beneficiaries can invest in two schemes – NPS Tier 1 and NPS Tier 2. Regardless of the scheme type you invest in, you need to open an account first.

Keep reading to learn more about this scheme’s features, benefits and ways to invest.

Take a look at the following features of the NPS Tier 1 scheme:

• Investments in NPS Tier 1 are eligible for tax exemptions.
• Investors completing 25 years of service life can withdraw 50% of funds from their accounts.
• NPS Tier 1 funds invest in Government and corporate bonds for employees working in the public sector. For corporate schemes, the Government invests in multiple assets, including corporate bonds, stocks, and fixed deposits, among others. 
• You can only open one account in your name. 
• You can close your NPS Tier 1 account before reaching the maturity date after meeting specific terms and conditions.
• The lock-in period of this account is up to 60 years. Individuals can further extend the maturity period by another 10 years.
• You must have a 12-digit PRAN or Permanent Retirement Account Number to create this account. In case you lose the PRAN card, you can reprint it by paying nominal charges.
• You can withdraw 60% of your total accumulated retirement corpus. Rest 40% is invested in the annuities to offer regular pensions.
• You can withdraw the fund before your account matures only after completing 15 years of service. Also, you need to repay this advance within a specified time frame.

Opening your NPS Tier 1 account is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

Online Procedure

• Visit the official website of e-NPS.
• Go to the registration section.
• Enter the relevant information. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it and log in.
• Select Tier 1 account.
• Choose a fund manager.
• Select your mode of investment from ‘Auto’ and ‘Active’ modes.
• Provide the details of the nominee and mention their share.
• Upload the relevant documents including the registration form and other KYC documents such as Aadhaar card and PAN card.
• Complete your registration by making a minimum contribution of ₹500.
• Your PRAN will be generated once you complete the registration.

Offline Procedure

• Visit your nearest bank or Point of Presence-Service Providers (POP-SP).
• Collect the application form.
• Fill in the form and submit it along with the supporting registration form and other KYC documents.
• Complete your registration by making a minimum payment.

Meet these 3 NPS Tier 1 eligibility parameters to open your account:

• Any Indian citizen can open an NPS Tier 1 account. If you become a non-resident of India (NRI), the Government will deactivate it.
• The age limit of an applicant must be between 18 and 60 years.
• As an applicant, you must be KYC compliant.

You have two investment choices in NPS Tier 1:

• Active choice
• Auto choice

The former lets individuals control asset allocation with the help of a fund manager. Conversely, the latter is a passive investment mode that builds your portfolio according to your risk appetite.

• Asset Class C invests in fixed instruments except for Government securities.
• Asset Class A invests in alternative investment funds, including REITS and CMBS, among others.
• Asset Class G invests in Government securities.
• Asset Class E invests approximately 50% in equity instruments.

Individuals can also select from the following 8 asset management companies (AMCs) for portfolio management:

• ICICI Prudential
• LIC
• Kotak Mahindra
• HDFC
• SBI
• Reliance
• UTI 
• DSP Black Rock 

You are free to switch between investment strategies and available fund managers once a year. Based on the performance of the assets, you will get a particular investment return.

As an investor, you need to make the following payments in NPS Tier 1:

• Contribution to Open Your NPS Tier 1 Account: ₹500
• Minimum Contribution in NPS Tier 1 Account: ₹500 per month
• Minimum Contribution Per Year: ₹1,000
• Minimum Number of Contributions You Need to Make: 1 per year

NPS returns are the interest that you earn on your contribution. The return rates of the NPS depend on the performance of your underlying assets. Hence, there are no fixed rates for possible returns. Therefore, experts suggest investing earlier to get higher returns over the years.

Here are the lists of returns classified under different asset classes. Take a look –

NPS Tax Benefits

• As per Section 80CCD(1) of the Income Tax Act, you enjoy a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs. You can claim a minimum tax exemption worth 10% of your total salary or income.
• You can get additional tax benefits up to ₹50,000 as per Section 80CCD(1B). Thus, the total benefits add up to ₹2 lakhs.
• The returns on your accumulated corpus in the NPS account are free from taxation. However, the annuity you receive in hand is taxable as per your income tax slab.
• You can enjoy a tax deduction of 10% of your basic salary plus dearness allowance if your employer contributes to the NPS scheme.
• The 60% of the fund you receive in hand after the lock-in period is exempted from taxes.
• Your partial withdrawals are eligible for tax exemption.

Simple Operation

As a subscriber, you only need to enrol yourself through the e-NPS website.

Guaranteed Pension

PFRDA regulates and monitors the National Pension Scheme. Hence, beneficiaries can be assured of getting the minimum pension as promised.

4 Pros:

• Flexibility: Beneficiaries can change the frequency of your contribution.
• Simple enrolment procedure: Individuals can avail the application procedure both online and offline. Thus, people without internet access can easily open their accounts to avail pension benefits as well.
• Nominal applicable charges: This, in addition to a minimum contribution per year, makes NPS Tier 1 a cost-effective means to secure your post-retirement phase.
• Flexible operation: As a subscriber, you can access your account from anywhere in the county.

4 Cons:

• Complicated transferring process: It does not offer a flexible transfer of funds to your Tier 2 account.
• Multiple withdrawals not allowed: Unlike Tier 2, as a beneficiary, you are not eligible to enjoy multiple withdrawals. The withdrawal limit is only 3 times in the entire investment period. Also, you can only withdraw based on valid reasons. It includes marriage, higher education and purchasing a new house.
• Limitation of asset classes: The equity allocation in your portfolio must not exceed 75%. At the same time, the alternative asset is limited to 5%.
• Limitation of equity asset allocation: After attaining the age of 50, the equity fund must not exceed 50% in your portfolio.

It entirely depends on your investment objective. If you want to enjoy a tax-efficient and cost-effective practice of accumulating savings for your post-retirement days, you can opt for it. As far as the return is concerned, NPS Tier 1’s scheme C has historically shown better performance compared to corporate debt funds. However, keep in mind the limitations of the same before making an informed decision.