NEW PESION SCHEME ARCHITECTURE

§  The new pension system is based on defined contributions. It uses the existing network of bank branches, post offices etc to collect contributions. There is seamless transfer of accumulations in case of change of employment and/or location. It also offers a basket of investment choices and Fund Managers. The new pension system is voluntary.
§  Individuals can normally exit at or after age 60 years from the pension system. At exit, the individual would be required to invest at least 40 percent of pension wealth to purchase an annuity. In case of Government employees, the annuity should provide pension for the lifetime of the employee, his dependent parents and spouse at the time of retirement. The individual would receive a lump-sum of the remaining pension wealth, which he would be free to utilize. Individuals would have the flexibility to leave the pension system prior to age 60. However, in this case, the mandatory annuitisation would be 80% of the pension wealth.
§  The participating entities (PFMs, CRA etc.) would give out easily understood information about past performance & regular NAVs, so that the individual would be able to make informed choices from the schemes.
§  NPS account can be operated from anywhere in the country irrespective of employment and geography.
§  Subscribers can shift within the sector and from one sector to another.
§  NPS is covered under the Income Tax Act, 1961 for tax benefits.
§  Currently NPS has 'Exempt-Exempt-Taxation' (EET) where
o    Investment up to 1 Lakh in Tier I account is exempted
o    Withdrawal are subject to tax
§  As per the Proposed Direct Tax Code (DTC), NPS will have Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) status
o    All investments (Up to Rs.1 Lakh) made under Tier I account under NPS are exempted
o    No tax at the time of withdrawal

§  There is no exemption on Investments made under Tier II account.

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