National Pension Scheme (NPS): Check four changes in government pension fund rule - How you will benefit

National Pension System: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet has announced a big bonanza for government employees by approving a number of changes in the National Pension Scheme (NPS)s. The changes are set to immensely help the government employees. The government may make a formal announcement soon. It did not announce the decision Thursday in view of the ensuing polls in Rajasthan today. The government is yet to decide on the date of notification of the new scheme. Such changes usually come into effect from the beginning of a financing year, meaning April 1, 2019. This formula for changes in the NPS was worked out by the Finance Ministry based on the recommendation of a government-appointed committee. 

Here are the changes approved by the government and how the employees will benefit. 

1. Government contribution to NPS

The Cabinet has decided to raise the government's contribution to National Pension Scheme (NPS) to 14 per cent of basic salary from the current 10 per cent, PTI quoted its sources as saying. The minimum employee contribution will remain at 10 per cent.The Cabinet decision comes in the wake of scores of government employees demanding the return of Old Pension Scheme. At present, the government and employees contribute 10 per cent of basic salary each to NPS. While the minimum employee contribution remains at 10 per cent, the government contribution has been increased from 10 per cent to 14 per cent.

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2. NPS withdrawal

The government employees will be allowed to withdraw more lump sum at the time of retirement. The Cabinet has allowed government employees to commute 60 per cent of the fund accumulated at the time of retirement, up from 40 per cent at present. As per the Cabinet decision, if the employee decides not to commute any portion of the accumulated fund in NPS at the time of retirement and transfers 100 per cent to annuity scheme, then his pension would be more than 50 per cent of his last drawn pay, sources said. 

3. Investment 

The government employees will now have the option to invest in either fixed income instruments or equities, the report quoted sources as saying. 

4. Income Tax 

Cabinet has also approved tax incentives under 80C of the Income Tax Act for employees' contribution to the extent of 10 per cent. More details on this would be known when the government releases its official notification.