Retirement Planning

Instead of withdrawing this balance as a lump sum, subscribers can keep the money within the NPS ecosystem and receive monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual payouts until the age of 85.

Updated : Jun 25, 2026

NPS's new retirement income option: How PFRDA’s RIS framework works

Under NPS rules, government employees must still use at least 40 per cent of their corpus to purchase an annuity, while private-sector and other non-government subscribers must annuitise a minimum of 20 per cent.

The latest decision follows a March 10, 2026 circular in which PFRDA reclassified certain organisations as "Government Entities" under NPS.

Updated : Jun 24, 2026

PFRDA allows government entities to continue using NPS PoP services for ₹500 annual fee: What it means for investors

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has allowed certain Government Entities under the National Pension System (NPS) to continue using Point of Presence (PoP) services by paying a flat annual fee of ₹500 per subscriber. The move provides operational flexibility to organisations that are not yet ready to directly manage NPS functions through Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) systems.

To qualify for a monthly pension under EPS, an employee must complete at least 10 years of eligible service

Updated : Jun 23, 2026

Employees' Pension Scheme: How you can secure a good monthly pension post retirement

The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), launched in 1995 and administered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is designed to provide financial security to workers after retirement

Under Section 80CCD(2), employers can contribute up to 14% of an employee's basic salary plus dearness allowance (DA) to the employee's NPS account.

Updated : Jun 13, 2026

How employer contributions to NPS can push effective tax-free income to ₹13.5 lakh

With most taxpayers now opting for the new tax regime, employer contributions to the National Pension System (NPS) have emerged as one of the few remaining tax-saving opportunities. Experts say Section 80CCD(2) can effectively push the tax-free income threshold from ₹12 lakh to around ₹13.5 lakh while helping employees build a retirement corpus.

The dream of retiring permanently at 35 with a modest corpus is difficult for most salaried Indians because healthcare, education, and lifestyle inflation can erode retirement plans over time.

Updated : Jun 7, 2026

Retire at 40 or keep working? ChatGPT's take on the FIRE movement in India

The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement promises the dream of retiring decades ahead of schedule, but critics argue that rising healthcare, education and lifestyle costs make it unrealistic for most salaried Indians. After CA Nitin Kaushik called FIRE a "fantasy" for 99% of the salaried class, we asked ChatGPT whether early retirement is truly out of reach — or if a more practical version of financial independence is still achievable.

Many senior citizens struggle with digital tools or mobility. India Post's doorstep service brings life certificate submission directly to their homes.

Updated : Jun 6, 2026

EPFO to NPS-Lite: How postmen are helping Indians access pensions, NPS-Lite, financial services

India Post is rapidly evolving beyond traditional mail delivery, emerging as a key facilitator of pension, retirement, and financial services. From helping EPFO pensioners submit Life Certificates at home to spreading awareness about NPS-Lite withdrawal benefits, postmen are playing an increasingly important role in India's financial inclusion journey.

NPS offers market-linked returns with potential for higher long-term wealth creation, while APY is better suited for those seeking a fixed and guaranteed retirement income.

Updated : Jun 4, 2026

Atal Pension Yojana vs NPS: Which government-backed pension scheme suits you?

The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and National Pension System (NPS) are two government-backed retirement schemes, but they cater to different investor needs. While APY offers a guaranteed pension, NPS provides market-linked returns with the potential to build a larger retirement corpus.

India's wealth boom is not being matched by succession planning, leaving families vulnerable to disputes, legal complications, and uncertainty over asset distribution.

Updated : Jun 3, 2026

Don’t leave your family fighting: 8 in 10 Indians have no 'Will' despite...

India's growing wealth is creating a new challenge: succession planning. A new study finds that nearly 8 in 10 Indians expecting an inheritance do not have a will themselves, highlighting a major gap in estate planning as the country undergoes its first large-scale intergenerational wealth transfer.

While many people focus heavily on growing wealth, fewer plan adequately for converting that wealth into dependable monthly cash flow after retirement.

Updated : May 28, 2026

From salary to survival income: Why retirement planning now goes beyond just savings

Retirement is no longer just about building a large savings corpus — it is about creating a reliable income stream that can replace a monthly salary. Experts say rising life expectancy, healthcare inflation and market volatility are pushing more Indians toward structured retirement income solutions.

According to EPFO data, total pending cases across categories were 31,036 on April 1, 2025.

Updated : May 27, 2026

Stuck in a PF dispute? EPF subscribers get relief as EPFO begins massive cleanup of old pending cases

Millions of EPF subscribers dealing with delayed claims and long-running disputes may finally see relief. EPFO has launched a nationwide mission-mode campaign to clear old pending cases and reduce legal bottlenecks.

PFRDA has launched the Retirement Income Scheme (RIS), a dedicated investment framework designed specifically for the post-retirement stage.

Updated : May 21, 2026

Retiring soon? NPS overhaul lets you earn more, withdraw smarter

PFRDA has unveiled a major overhaul of NPS retirement payouts by introducing Retirement Income Schemes (RIS) and flexible drawdown options. The move aims to provide retirees with regular income while allowing their pension corpus to remain invested for potential long-term growth.

A survey stated that the median retirement corpus stands at ₹28 lakh compared with a target of ₹1 crore, creating a 3.6x retirement funding gap.

Updated : May 20, 2026

India’s retirement shock: 75% near age 60 lack a plan as savings fall 3.6x short of goal

India’s retirement preparedness may be weaker than many believe, with a new survey revealing a widening gap between confidence and financial reality. Nearly three-fourths of Indians nearing retirement lack a detailed plan, while retirement savings remain far below target levels.

Earlier this month, reports said the labour ministry was examining a revision in the minimum EPS-95 pension, which currently stands at Rs 1,000 per month.

Updated : May 19, 2026

Has EPFO cleared a minimum EPS-95 pension hike to Rs 7,500? Here's what pensioners need to know

A viral claim that EPFO has approved a minimum EPS-95 pension hike to Rs 7,500 has created confusion among lakhs of pensioners. However, EPFO has clarified that the circulating notification is fake, even as discussions around a pension revision continue.

Healthcare emerged as one of the biggest concerns. While routine medical care is available, specialist treatments often require a three-to-four-hour travel to larger cities.

Updated : May 19, 2026

Should you retire in a hill station? The FIREd couple shares a reality check

Mountain views, fresh air and a slower pace of life make hill station retirement look like a dream. But the FIREd Couple, Yogesh S. and Seema Devgan, say the real question isn’t whether you can afford it—it’s whether you can truly live that lifestyle long term.

PFRDA has also outlined a process that Annuity Service Providers must follow while handling surrender requests.

Updated : May 15, 2026

NPS new rules 2026: PFRDA now allows annuity exit in critical illness cases, eases lock-in norms

NPS subscribers now have more flexibility after PFRDA relaxed annuity surrender rules, allowing exits in select cases such as critical illnesses and certain older policies. The move offers retirees access to funds during emergencies while retaining the broader goal of retirement income security.

Tata AIA says retirement planning should not focus on timing market bottoms. Instead, investors may benefit from a disciplined, long-term investment approach.

Updated : May 14, 2026

Can uncertain markets create better opportunities for retirement investing?

Market volatility often triggers investor caution, but financial experts say periods of uncertainty can create opportunities for disciplined, long-term wealth creation. Tata AIA Life Insurance suggests that rather than waiting for ideal market conditions, investors may benefit from revisiting retirement strategies during market corrections.

The dispute relates to the EPS “higher pension” option, under which employees who contributed to EPF on actual salary seek pension benefits based on that higher salary base.

Updated : May 13, 2026

EPS Higher Pension: Allahabad HC gives relief to HAL retirees in EPFO dispute

The Allahabad HC has ruled in favour of retired HAL employees seeking higher pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), providing major relief in an ongoing dispute with the EPFO. The court held that statutory pension rights cannot be restricted through internal trust rules imposing salary ceilings.

At present, the minimum EPS pension remains fixed at Rs 1,000 per month, a level that was introduced in 2014 and has not been revised in more than a decade.

Updated : May 12, 2026

EPS pension hike: What changes if minimum pension rises from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500?

The proposed hike in minimum EPS pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500 could significantly change retirement income for lakhs of private sector pensioners in India. The move is expected to provide major relief to retirees struggling with rising medical, food, and household expenses.

NPS Sanchay is largely targeted at workers in the informal and unorganised sector who typically do not receive structured retirement benefits.

Updated : May 8, 2026

What is NPS Sanchay? Who is it meant for and how will it work?

NPS Sanchay is a newly launched simplified pension scheme by PFRDA aimed at bringing India’s informal workforce into the formal retirement savings system. Designed for workers with limited financial knowledge, the scheme reduces investment complexity while offering the benefits of a regulated pension framework.

Despite growing financial complexity, will-writing remains relatively uncommon in India for both cultural and emotional reasons.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Maharashtra simplifies will registration for ₹100, but can families afford to ignore wills?

According to registration department officials, wills can be registered at any time after execution and are exempt from the four-month statutory deadline applicable to many other property-related documents.

One of the biggest changes under NPS Swasthya is improved liquidity for medical emergencies. Subscribers may be allowed to withdraw up to 25% of their eligible contributions for healthcare expenses.