Choose the right retirement plan for your financial goals. Compare offerings and make an informed decision.
A steady income stream is key to a stress-free retirement. It covers everyday expenses, including medical costs. Your savings will come in handy when you don't have a regular paycheck. Plan your future by investing in an early savings fund.
When considering your retirement, it is essential to compare the benefits of the National Pension System (NPS) vs Atal Pension Yojana (APY). These are government-backed pension schemes regulated by the PFRDA and offer tax benefits. Despite these similarities, there are many key differences between the two.
Before deciding on a scheme, gain insight into these two government pension options:
Parameters |
National Pension System |
Atal Pension Yojana |
Joining Age |
18-70 years |
18-40 years |
Eligible Subscribers |
Resident and Non-resident Indians (NRIs) |
Resident Indians (Excluding income taxpayers) |
Account Types |
Tier I (Mandatory), Tier II (Voluntary) |
Single Standard Account |
Investment Flexibility |
Active Choice (Choose Assets) or Auto Choice (Life cycle Funds) |
Limited flexibility, managed by government investment patterns |
Pension Slab |
Market-linked (Variable) |
Fixed Slabs (₹1,000 - ₹5,000) |
Contribution Amount |
Minimum ₹1,000/year (Tier I), No Maximum |
Contribution based on Pension Slab Selected |
Government Contribution |
No |
Yes (Subject to Terms) |
Account Number |
Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) |
No Permanent Account Number |
Premature Withdrawal Rules |
Unlimited for Tier II, Partial for Tier I (With conditions) |
None |
Impact of Market Changes |
Affected by debt and equity markets |
Not market-linked (Guaranteed returns) |
Returns and Payout |
Dependent on contribution and asset performance |
Fixed and guaranteed by Government |
Pension Guarantee |
No guaranteed amount |
Guaranteed pension amount |
Given the differences between NPS and APY, the best scheme depends on your risk tolerance. Choose based on your financial goals. It also depends on your expected pension amount. Here's a look at the estimated returns for both options.
The Atal Pension Yojana ensures a stable retirement income. It offers a guaranteed pension amount. You choose a pension slab between ₹1,000 and ₹5,000 and make a fixed contribution, which is based on your age. The returns you will receive depend upon your contribution.
For instance, if you have opted for a monthly pension of ₹1,000, then the contribution to the scheme will be as follows:
Here’s an overview to help you understand APY returns:
Joining Age |
No. of Contributing Years |
Indicative Contribution/Month (₹) |
Monthly Pension Amount (₹) |
Indicative Corpus Paid to Nominee (₹) |
18 |
42 |
42 |
1,000 |
1.7 Lakhs |
20 |
40 |
50 |
1,000 |
1.7 Lakhs |
25 |
35 |
76 |
1,000 |
1.7 Lakhs |
30 |
30 |
116 |
1,000 |
1.7 Lakhs |
35 |
25 |
181 |
1,000 |
1.7 Lakhs |
Your ₹1,000 monthly pension is guaranteed. You can earn more if the fund achieves higher returns. For instance, APY has offered the following return benchmark rates in recent times:
1-year Return Rate |
2-year Return Rate |
3-year Return Rate |
5-year Return Rate |
10-year Return Rate |
4.73% |
9.59% |
8.41% |
8.72% |
NA |
Disclaimer: Benchmark rates released by the NPS Trust as on 24/06/2024.
NPS operates on market-based returns, which are not fixed or guaranteed. Your returns depend on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of your chosen investment. An equity-heavy NPS portfolio could yield better returns. A conservative, debt-heavy portfolio may offer more stability.
Here’s an overview of the latest NPS return rates: -
Tier I Scheme/Asset Class |
1-Year Return |
5-Year Return |
10-Year Return |
Scheme ‘E’ (Equity) |
40.61% |
18.21% |
14.32% |
Scheme ‘C’ (Corporate Bonds) |
11.45% |
8.69% |
9.65% |
Scheme ‘G’ (Government Bonds) |
9.06% |
7.41% |
9.62% |
Scheme ‘A’ (Alternative Assets) |
12.53% |
9.13% |
N/A |
Disclaimer: Based on data released by the NPS Trust on benchmark rates as on 26/06/2024.
When comparing NPS vs APY, it’s important to consider your risk tolerance, investment strategy, and returns. NPS may offer higher returns due to its link with market performance. Strong markets can lead to higher-than-average returns and a larger retirement corpus. However, weak markets can also impact your NPS fund. Diversification within NPS may help manage this risk.
APY caters to risk-averse investors by offering fixed returns independent of market fluctuations. This ensures a stable pension amount, even if the scheme's overall returns fall short. The government will contribute funds toward the scheme's deficiency.
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