Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by IGNOU Forum
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme in India that was launched in 2015. It is intended to provide a defined pension to individuals in the unorganized sector (e.g., small farmers, self-employed workers) who do not have access to a formal pension system. Under the APY, subscribers contribute to their pension account during their working years, and upon reaching the age of 60, they receive a guaranteed monthly pension based on the amount they have contributed and the pension option they have chosen. The government also contributes a co-contribution to the pension account of eligible subscribers. The APY is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA).
Key Points – Atal Pension Yojana
Here are some key points about the Atal Pension Yojana:
- It is a defined contribution pension scheme, meaning that the amount of the pension you receive will depend on the contributions you have made to your pension account and the investment returns on those contributions.
- To be eligible for the APY, you must be an Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 and not be a member of any other statutory social security scheme.
- The minimum monthly pension under the APY ranges from INR 1,000 to INR 5,000, depending on the pension option you choose. The maximum monthly pension is INR 9,000.
- To join the APY, you must open a pension account with a bank or a post office, and make contributions to the account on a regular basis. The minimum contribution amount is INR 55 per month, and the maximum contribution amount is INR 2,000 per month.
- The government provides a co-contribution of 50% of the subscriber’s contribution, up to a maximum of INR 1,000 per year, to the pension account of eligible subscribers.
- If you die before reaching the age of 60, your spouse may choose to continue the APY account and receive the pension on your behalf. If your spouse also predeceases you, the balance in your pension account will be paid to your nominee.
Atal Pension Yojana – Features
Here are some features of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY):
- It is a defined contribution pension scheme, which means that the amount of the pension you receive will depend on the contributions you have made to your pension account and the investment returns on those contributions.
- The minimum monthly pension under the APY ranges from INR 1,000 to INR 5,000, depending on the pension option you choose. The maximum monthly pension is INR 9,000.
- The government provides a co-contribution of 50% of the subscriber’s contribution, up to a maximum of INR 1,000 per year, to the pension account of eligible subscribers. This co-contribution is available to subscribers who are not tax assesses and who contribute between INR 55 and INR 1,000 per month.
- If you die before reaching the age of 60, your spouse may choose to continue the APY account and receive the pension on your behalf. If your spouse also predeceases you, the balance in your pension account will be paid to your nominee.
- The APY is portable, meaning that you can transfer your pension account to another bank or post office if you change your place of residence or employment.
- The APY is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA), which is a government-owned organization that oversees the pension sector in India. This can provide confidence to subscribers that their pension funds will be managed in a professional and transparent manner.
Atal Pension Yojana – Benefits
Here are some benefits of the Atal Pension Yojana:
- It provides a guaranteed pension to individuals in the unorganized sector, who may not have access to a formal pension system.
- The minimum monthly pension under the APY ranges from INR 1,000 to INR 5,000, which can help to secure the financial future of the subscriber and their family.
- The government provides a co-contribution of 50% of the subscriber’s contribution, up to a maximum of INR 1,000 per year, which can help to increase the size of the pension fund.
- If you die before reaching the age of 60, your spouse may choose to continue the APY account and receive the pension on your behalf. If your spouse also predeceases you, the balance in your pension account will be paid to your nominee.
- The APY is portable, meaning that you can transfer your pension account to another bank or post office if you change your place of residence or employment.
- The APY is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA), which is a government-owned organization that oversees the pension sector in India. This can provide confidence to subscribers that their pension funds will be managed in a professional and transparent manner.
Atal Pension Yojana – Eligibility
To be eligible for the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), you must be:
- An Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 40
- Not a member of any other statutory social security scheme
In addition, to join the APY, you must open a pension account with a bank or a post office and make regular contributions to the account. The minimum contribution amount is INR 55 per month, and the maximum contribution amount is INR 2,000 per month.
If you are already a member of a statutory social security scheme, such as the Employees’ Provident Fund or the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, you are not eligible for the APY. However, if you are a member of a voluntary pension scheme, such as the National Pension System, you may still be eligible for the APY.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for the APY, you can contact your bank or post office for more information. They will be able to advise you on your eligibility and how to enroll in the APY.
Atal Pension Yojana – Funding
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is funded through the contributions made by subscribers to their pension account. Subscribers are required to make regular contributions to their account, with the minimum contribution amount being INR 55 per month and the maximum contribution amount being INR 2,000 per month.
In addition to the contributions made by subscribers, the government also provides a co-contribution to the pension accounts of eligible subscribers. The co-contribution is equal to 50% of the subscriber’s contribution, up to a maximum of INR 1,000 per year. The co-contribution is available to subscribers who are not tax assesses and who contribute between INR 55 and INR 1,000 per month.
The funds in the pension account are invested in a variety of financial instruments, such as government securities, corporate bonds, and equities, in order to generate returns. The investment returns on the funds in the pension account, along with the contributions made by subscribers and the government co-contribution, are used to provide the pension to subscribers when they reach the age of 60.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Atal Pension Yojana (APY):
Who is eligible for the APY?
To be eligible for the APY, you must be an Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 and not be a member of any other statutory social security scheme.
How do I join the APY?
To join the APY, you must open a pension account with a bank or a post office, and make regular contributions to the account. The minimum contribution amount is INR 55 per month, and the maximum contribution amount is INR 2,000 per month.
What is the minimum and maximum monthly pension under the APY?
The minimum monthly pension under the APY ranges from INR 1,000 to INR 5,000, depending on the pension option you choose. The maximum monthly pension is INR 9,000.
Is there a government co-contribution to the APY?
Yes, the government provides a co-contribution of 50% of the subscriber’s contribution, up to a maximum of INR 1,000 per year, to the pension account of eligible subscribers. This co-contribution is available to subscribers who are not tax assesses and who contribute between INR 55 and INR 1,000 per month.
What happens to my APY account if I die before reaching the age of 60?
If you die before reaching the age of 60, your spouse may choose to continue the APY account and receive the pension on your behalf. If your spouse also predeceases you, the balance in your pension account will be paid to your nominee.
Is the APY portable?
Yes, the APY is portable, meaning that you can transfer your pension account to another bank or post office if you change your place of residence or employment.
Who administers the APY?
The APY is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA), which is a government-owned organization that oversees the pension sector in India.
