investment

NPS: National Pension System Complete Guide

Complete guide to NPS. National Pension System, retirement planning, tax benefits, and withdrawal rules.

GetYourCA Team
8 April 2026·Updated 8 April 20261 min read12.5K views

NPS: National Pension System#

What is NPS?#

A voluntary retirement savings scheme managed by PFRDA for retirement planning.

Types of Accounts#

Tier I Account

  • Mandatory pension account
  • Withdrawal restrictions
  • Tax benefits under 80CCD(1)

Tier II Account

  • Voluntary savings
  • No lock-in
  • No tax benefit on contribution

Investment Options#

  • Auto choice (lifecycle based)
  • Active choice (self-select)

Fund Managers#

  • 8-10 fund managers to choose from

Tax Benefits#

ComponentDeduction
Employee contributionUp to ₹50,000 (80CCD(1B))
Employer contributionUp to 14% of salary (80CCD(2))
Additional (budget)Up to ₹50,000 (above 80C limit)

Withdrawal Rules#

Premature Withdrawal

  • Allowed after 3 years
  • 80% must buy annuity
  • 20% tax-free lump sum

Normal Withdrawal

  • After 60 years
  • 60% tax-free
  • 40% to buy annuity

Annuity Options#

  • Lifetime annuity
  • Annuity for certain period
  • With or without return of purchase price

Need Help With Your Tax Filing?

Our expert CAs can help you file your ITR accurately, claim maximum deductions, and ensure compliance. Get started in minutes.

Was this article helpful?

GT

GetYourCA Team

Tax Expert

10+ years experience

Disclaimer

We have taken utmost care to research and write this article for your information. However, tax laws are complex and subject to frequent changes. This article is for general guidance only and should not be considered professional advice. Individual circumstances vary significantly — what works for one person may not apply to another.

Before making any tax-related decisions, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified Chartered Accountant or tax professional who can assess your specific situation. We do not accept any liability for decisions made based on this information.

Need help with your taxes?

Talk to our expert CAs

Get Started