NPS Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 Account

Overview of NPS – National Pension Scheme

The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary long-term retirement savings scheme introduced by the Government of India. Launched in 2004, NPS aims to provide you with financial security during your retirement years from the age of 60 years. It operates on a contributory basis, where both employees and employers contribute to the pension fund.

Key Features of NPS:

• Both residents and non-residents between the ages of 18 and 70 can participate

• NPS consists of two tiers - Tier 1 and Tier 2

• Participants can choose from a range of investment options, including equity, government securities, corporate bonds, and alternative assets.

• Each subscriber is allotted a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (NPS - PRAN) to track and manage their NPS account.

• Contributions to NPS are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80CCD(1), 80CCD(1B), and 80CCD(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961

• You can also claim tax benefits on partial withdrawals from a Tier 1 account under certain conditions as per Section 10(12B) of the IT Act.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

NPS Benefit Updates in Old vs. New Tax Regime:

• You can claim tax deductions under the old tax regime for your NPS contributions under Sections 80C, 80CCD(1), and 80CCD(1B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

• Under the new tax regime, you can not claim tax deductions for your NPS contributions under Section 80C, 80CCD(1), and 80CCD(1B).

People also calculate: NPS Pension Calculator

What are Tier 1 and Tier 2 in NPS?

The National Pension Scheme revolves around the Tier 1 and Tier 2 NPS accounts with varying connotations for the subscriber.  You contribute to the accounts during your earning years to reap the benefits of the corpus as you retire at sixty years of age. 

• The Tier 1 account is mandatory, where you contribute till you retire. 

• The Tier 2 account, on the other hand, is optional, with no compulsion to contribute, but it supplements your retirement corpus. 

The primary difference is that the Tier 1 account is rigid about withdrawals, while the Tier 2 account is flexible and liquid. 

Similarities Between NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2

• Government-Sponsored Pension Plans: Both NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2 are government-sponsored pension plans in India.

• Voluntary Contributions: Both tiers allow you to make voluntary contributions towards your retirement savings.

• Withdrawal Restrictions: Both tiers have restrictions on premature withdrawals, with specific conditions for accessing funds before retirement.

• Professional Fund Management: Both tiers involve professional fund management, with investment options like equity, corporate bonds, and government securities.

• Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN): You get a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts, which remains the same across both tiers.

• Pension Annuity: Both tiers provide the option to use the accumulated corpus to purchase a pension annuity upon retirement.

• Portability: Both NPS tiers offer portability, allowing you to transfer your accounts between different sectors and locations.

Difference Between NPS Tier 1 vs. Tier 2

The major NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2 differences are listed in the table mentioned below:

*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI-approved insurance plan. Standard T&C Apply
"Tax benefit is subject to changes in tax laws. Standard T&C apply."

Benefits of NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2 Accounts

The key advantages of NPS Tier 1 vs Tier 2 accounts are as follows:

1. Tier 1 - Retirement Savings:

   • Long-term savings for retirement.

   • Tax benefits under Section 80C and 10(12A)

2. Tier 2 - Flexible Withdrawals:

   • Allows anytime withdrawals for various needs.

   • There is no lock-in period offering liquidity.

3. Common Benefits:

   • Professionally managed by fund managers.

   • Low-cost structure for higher returns.

   • Government-backed, ensuring security.

4. Wealth Creation:

   • Potential for wealth accumulation over time.

   • Systematic contributions lead to compounding benefits.

5. Tax Efficiency:

   • Tax advantages during investment and withdrawal stages.

   • Enables tax planning and optimization.

6. Portability:

   • Transferable across jobs, ensuring continuity.

   • Offers flexibility for changing financial goals.

NPS Tier 1 Vs. Tier 2 – Which to Choose?

After comparing Tier 1 and Tier 2 NPS accounts, you now understand their pros and cons. Consider these points:

• Tier 1 is less flexible for financial emergencies compared to Tier 2.

• Tier 1 is rigid, while Tier 2 operates like a regular savings account.

• Tier 1 offers more tax benefits during investment and maturity, but Tier 2 provides flexibility for retirement savings.

• Tier 1 has a lock-in period until age 60, while Tier 2 allows anytime withdrawals.

In Tier 1, 60% of the corpus is received at maturity, with the remaining 40% used for an annuity plan, providing regular income. Tier 2 lacks this feature.

Tier 1 investments offer tax savings of up to Rs. 62,400 yearly, while Tier 2 provides no tax benefits.

For a robust retirement corpus with tax savings and discipline, prefer Tier 1. For flexibility, allocate some funds to Tier 2. The choice depends on your financial goals and flexibility needs.

In Conclusion!

The choice between NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts depends on individual financial goals and needs. Tier 1 is designed for long-term retirement planning with restrictions on withdrawals offering tax benefits. On the other hand, Tier 2 provides more flexibility for short-term financial goals with unrestricted withdrawals but lacks the same tax advantages. You should carefully evaluate your objectives and risk tolerance before deciding on the most suitable NPS account type for your financial strategy.