Back to Blog What To Do Before Investing In An IPO? July 18, 2022 What is an IPO? An IPO, short for Initial Public Offering, is when a private company sells its shares to the public and makes these shares tradeable on the stock market. Private companies work in collaboration with investment banks and multiple other agencies to bring their shares to the public. There are a lot of regulatory requirements that need to be fulfilled, along with a lot of patience and marketing, before an IPO can be launched. There is always some element of risk involved with every IPO and you should always do your due diligence before investing in any of them. Now, let’s discuss some points you should consider before investing in an IPO : Carefully read the Red Herring Draft – The DRHP, or Draft Red Herring Prospectus, is a document that is prepared as per SEBI requirements before any company wants to go public. This document is made available publicly and is an essential resource for any potential investor. The DRHP also expounds on how the organization plans to utilize the money that will be raised, and potential risks for the investors. Investors should go through the DRHP before putting their money into a new IPO. Use of the proceeds – It is vital to check how the proceeds raised from the IPO will be used. If an organization intends to only reimburse its debt with these funds, it’s probably not a great sign of things to come, but if it intends to raise funds to partly pay the debt, and partly to grow its business or to use it for general corporate purposes, it shows that the funds raised are being put back into the business, which is good news for an investor. Figure out the business – An investor should understand the nature of the business of a company before investing in it. Understanding the business allows you to better judge how a company will perform given its priorities. A company’s capacity and ability to increase its market share make a significant difference to its appeal since returns and growth depend on this. On the other hand, an investor ought to avoid an IPO if the business exercises are not clear. Who runs the company – An investor should always check who runs the company and has the power to make decisions. It is crucial to look at managers and key people of the company as they are answerable for its performance. The experience of the top management gives a glimpse into the company’s working environment. Look for a company’s potential – An investor should analyze the potential of the company and figure out future possibilities. If a company performs well in the wake of raising capital, investors will acquire significant returns on their IPO investments. The organization that you’re investing your hard-earned money in ought to have a good plan of action to sustain itself in the future. Relative valuation of the company – Investors should closely research the company’s competitive position. The DHRP will usually include a company’s comparisons with its peers, both on monetary numbers and valuations. An investor can look at the new IPOs’ comparative valuations to check if a company’s valuations are in line with its peers. Investment Horizon – An investor should have a clear understanding of the investment horizon before investing in an upcoming IPO. One must be clear, whether they are planning to invest to make a quick return or if they’re looking to hold these shares for the long term. A short-term strategy depends on current market sentiments while long-term ones rely on the fundamentals of the business. Timing is essential when you operate in the stock market. When you enter the market and when you leave it can make all the difference. Sometimes, the timing is right during the IPO and at others, it will be a smarter decision to wait. Make a decision based on how much you can make and how good the fundamentals of the business are as far as valuation is concerned. Featured Posts What is an IPO, how do you invest in it, and what should you consider?What is an IPO? Why do companies do it, and how is it important? 5 Important Things to Check Before Investing in an IPOHow to Improve Your Chances of Getting IPO AllotmentIPO vs FPO: Understanding the Difference for Smarter Investing
Back to Blog 5 Best Strategies For Short-Term Investments July 12, 2022 Making short-term investments is a crucial strategy for any investor. Short term investments are great tools to help you diversify your investment portfolio. Both investors and businesses can make short-term investments for many purposes. They require a low holding period and are usually low in risk. In most cases, short-term investments refers to any asset with a holding period of between one to five years. Some investors also like to invest for the short-term since it typically gives them their returns within the first five years. As an investor, you must recognize the risks and rewards associated with short-term investments. You must not only know how to differentiate between good and bad opportunities, but also how to shield yourself from risks. Your investment goals usually decide the type of investment that is best for you. Some investors invest with a motive to create alternative income, while others may want to pursue it as their main source of income. No investment can guarantee you high returns as there is always an element of risk. In simpler words, are you willing to take the risk? That is the question. Here are the 5 best short-term investment strategies that can deliver returns with considerably lower risk factors: 1. Savings Account – This could be a good short-term savings option. The average savings account generates a small amount of interest, but if you can open a high-yield savings account, you can get higher returns. When compared to regular savings accounts, high yield savings accounts typically offer higher interest rates. 2. Corporate Bonds – These are a kind of debt security sold to investors. Many conglomerates issue them to generate money for various purposes. Corporate bonds are only at risk if the company issuing them dissolves, but a company’s assets can be used as collateral, maximizing your chances of being reimbursed for your losses. 3. Government Bond Funds – These work on similar lines as corporate bonds; the only difference is that they are issued by the government. It’s a low-risk investment as it pays low-interest rates. Most government bonds are issued to boost infrastructure, public services, and domestic programs. 4. Money Market Accounts – Borrowing and lending of short-term funds in financial markets comes under the money market segment. These account mature anywhere from one day to one year. RBI and SEBI regulate this market in India. 5. Certificates of Deposit – In this, you deposit a large sum of money for a fixed period of time such as 6 months, one year, or five years. You must keep it untouched, or you will be charged a penalty for an early withdrawal. In return, you will get a premium interest rate. You will get higher interest rates than any savings account. It can be a great way to make your savings work for you. Short-term investments use many routes to make money. The catch is that you must educate yourself on applying these investment vehicles to attain success. As you learn more about short-term investments, you’ll find yourself drawn to one strategy or another before settling on the right mix for your preferences and risk appetite. The goal of any trading strategy is to keep losses at a minimum and profits at a maximum, and this is no different for short-term investment. Featured Posts How Technology Is Transforming Asset ManagementMutual Fund Software for Distributors: Explained!Understanding the Key Responsibilities of Mutual Fund DistributorsWhy Mutual Fund Software Is Essential for MFDs and Asset ManagersThings to Avoid While Choosing a Mutual Fund Software
Back to Blog Stock Market Investing For Beginners July 4, 2022 While looking for the best way to increase the money you have saved, what’s the primary idea that seems the best? A bank account? Maybe not! Bank savings just produce fixed interest payments. Since there’s very little risk involved, the profit is likewise less. It is a good option if you need your money stored securely and need easy access to it, but you don’t end up increasing it substantially. Investing in the stock market, however, may enable you to create a pool of reserve funds which is much more substantial. Shares/stocks are a piece of the share capital of an organisation that is owned by the investors – these shares can be traded in the stock market. You can trade both stocks and bonds on the market but investing in the stock market is the simpler and more straightforward alternative. Does an advisor play a pivotal role? The stock market is an exceptionally complicated world, and it is hard to predict the movement of shares, stocks, economic indicators, sectors, industries, and companies. If you want to begin investing you will need to focus intensely on learning and analysis. If you want to start investing in stocks without prior knowledge and planning, going through an advisor is ideal. Find a legitimate advisor, and open your Demat account. This will give you access to the market, where you can start trading. Is stock trading done by intuition? Many new-time investors tend to approach the market from a speculator’s perspective. They invest in a stock that feels right because their instinct indicates it is. No one can, of course, predict exactly what the future holds, and you can’t foresee the fluctuation of stocks without doing serious research. You might end up being lucky once or twice, but that luck will run out sooner or later. Your instincts will tell you that the best time to buy a stock is right after it’s value has dropped, but you have to understand that somebody is also selling the stock. Keep in mind that if the value is declining, there’s a reason behind it. Stocks as a rule respond to the general market climate, so you must know that element consistently. Plus, it is difficult to know exactly what is going on within an organisation you choose to invest in. You can’t know about every single inner element. Be that as it may, you actually need to follow the latest news from credible platforms to get a sense of which way the winds are blowing. What factors should be considered before investing? The first step in making a fruitful investment is to understand your financial goals and objectives. Understand that the money you put in, is for the long term, and you will not have the option to pull it out soon. Also, there is no assurance that you will make money through your investment. Not every person is happy taking on high risks for extra earnings. It is recommended that investors evaluate their risk appetite to guarantee that the investment made in stocks is in line with their financial objectives. Spread your investments across multiple sectors or asset classes to minimise risks. You must strategize your asset allocation by factoring in your time horizon, risk appetite and investment goals. You can save yourself the trouble of starting from scratch and compensate for one loss with profits from another. Stock investment decisions are not to be taken on a whim. For a beginner, that’s the most important thing to understand. Another common misconception is that investing in the stock market is a gamble. It really isn’t. It works on specific principles that require strategic thinking and deep analysis. As always, we suggest you consult your financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Featured Posts What is an IPO, how do you invest in it, and what should you consider?What is an IPO? Why do companies do it, and how is it important? 5 Important Things to Check Before Investing in an IPOHow to Improve Your Chances of Getting IPO AllotmentIPO vs FPO: Understanding the Difference for Smarter Investing
Back to Blog Technology’s role in shaping customer preferences June 20, 2022 Becoming profitable is the primary objective of any business, and in the process, they try to operate by getting ahead of their competition. Getting ahead of the competition depends highly on your brand’s perception and acceptance among consumers. Being accepted by consumers ensures that a company grows and flourishes to strengthen its market position and increase its customer base. However, with the increase in the use of technology, there has also been a change in the behaviour of consumers. As per stats by InternetLiveStats, Google processes over 40,000 search queries per second. According to Oberlo, 27.6% of the global population shops online. This reflects the impact that brands can have with a strong digital presence. While technology has helped many businesses scale up their operations, it has also caused the customer’s mindset and behaviour to evolve, which must be taken into consideration by brands. As a brand, you should always evolve along with the consumer in order to remain competitive and relevant in these changing times. Let us take a look at a few ways in which customer preferences are changing, and how you can leverage them. Decreased attention spans The amount of content online is increasing massively with every passing day, and consumers are flooded with more content than they can realistically interact with on any given day. This abundance of content decreases the attention span of your consumers and visitors to such an extent that you must grab their attention within a few seconds, or they are gone. According to Facebook, consumers spend a maximum of 2 seconds when viewing a piece of content on their smartphones. You need to get your message across in the quickest and most effective manner possible for it to be heard completely, and hope at getting a conversion. The key is to highlight the benefits presented by the product or service that your company is providing. Ensure that it stands out and speaks to the consumer in a manner that is easily understood. In the financial world, it is necessary to put the message across in the simplest way possible so that the content can be easily consumed and understood. Making the world a smaller place The increase in the use of technology and the internet has truly made the world a smaller place. Consumers are more connected to businesses than ever before. They have the capability to research, review and question your products or services, irrespective of their physical location. According to GlobalWebIndex, social media is used to research products by 54% of the users. With the increase in the use of social media, consumers are enabled to interact with your brand directly. This lets them ask questions and also influences their purchasing decisions to an extent. With the hyper-connectivity that consumers are being subjected to, there is an increasing sphere of opportunities of engagement towards new, as well as existing customers. Nevertheless, you must ensure that your communication breaks the clutter and fulfils the demands of your consumers. This change in consumer behaviour can be taken advantage of by ensuring that your brand has a strong presence on both social media and digital platforms. Creating a dynamic digital ecosystem, coupled with an omnichannel marketing strategy ensures that you check all boxes and are reachable by consumers all the time. Providing consumers with an experience that is cohesive, irrespective of the channel ensures that you retain them. The urge for personalization Consumers crave attention, and desire products that are created after taking their individual preferences and interests into consideration. This gives them a feeling of personalization, which enhances their trust and affinity towards your brand. With the increase in technology, globalisation has also increased. This has caused many brands, offering similar services and products, to pop up. With so many similar options to choose from, consumers are spoilt for choice. In this scenario, personalization is a massive influencing factor. According to Khoros, 86% of brands convert one-time clients into long-term customers by giving them a satisfactory experience. In order to cater to consumers on a personal level, the first thing that you need to do is get a comprehensive understanding of your target market, and direct tonality in a manner that they speak to your audience on an individual level. Nearly all financial products or services should be prepared in a manner that is tailored to fulfil the consumer’s needs. Increasing consumer expectations With an increasing number of brands entering the market, the expectations of consumers are sky high. Consumers nowadays look for a one-stop solution that caters to all their needs. They expect a targeted approach from companies in terms of communication, products and services, with responsive customer service that caters to their needs on demand. If a consumer faces even the slightest inconvenience in getting the desired product or customer service, they will switch to a competitor with the same offerings without the slightest hesitation. According to a report by Zendesk, nearly 80% of users switch to a competitor because of one bad experience. The bar for customer satisfaction is set extremely highly, with more and more companies entering the market, and looking for the same target audience. For your business to work, and succeed, in this highly competitive environment, you need to analyse your consumer’s behaviours minutely, and devise strategies that extensively caters to all their needs. In today’s always online, hyper-connected world, you should form plans that give you an edge over your competitors, and gain for you a stable market share. Featured Posts How Technology Is Transforming Asset ManagementMutual Fund Software for Distributors: Explained!Understanding the Key Responsibilities of Mutual Fund DistributorsWhy Mutual Fund Software Is Essential for MFDs and Asset ManagersThings to Avoid While Choosing a Mutual Fund Software
Back to Blog New Rules for NPS Fund Managers and their Impact on Your Returns June 10, 2022 The National Pension Scheme (NPS) has undergone various changes since its inception. They are sometimes linked to NPS withdrawal rules, while at other times, they are related to NPS exit rules. This time, however, against everyone’s expectations, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) proposed changes that apply to fund managers, but have an impact on subscribers. Before discussing them in detail, let’s first understand what NPS is. What is the National Pension Scheme? The National Pension Scheme is a voluntary investment plan launched to secure your retirement. This retirement scheme is under the purview of the central government and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The NPS was initially accessible to government employees, but in 2009, it was made available to all Indian citizens aged 18 to 60 years. You can make an investment in the NPS until the age of 60 years. After that, you can withdraw 60% of the corpus and use the remaining 40% to buy an annuity plan. NPS New Rules 2021 Since the launch of NPS, the scheme has seen several alterations. The new ones are listed below. Investment in mid-cap stocks Previously, NPS fund managers were limited to investing in companies that were traded on the Futures and Options market. In addition, the funds must be invested in companies with a minimum market cap of ₹5,000 crores. As a result, the fund managers’ only alternative is to invest in the top 100 large-cap funds. Fund managers can now invest funds in the top 200 companies (100 large-cap and 100 mid-cap). Investment in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) The new NPS rule permits fund managers to invest in firms that are set to go public, though there is one prerequisite to investing in an IPO. They cannot invest in them if their market capitalisation is less than that of the 200th company from the top. It means that any large IPO with a market capitalisation of more than ₹21,200 crores can be added to your NPS portfolio. Investment in more group companies Earlier, fund managers could only invest 5% of the equity spread of funds in group companies; the new NPS rule states that the 5% cap applies to the total portfolio rather than just equity. How Will the New Rules Affect the NPS Subscribers? The ability to invest in mid-cap companies has opened up a slew of new possibilities. Between large-cap and mid-cap companies, you will notice that mid-cap companies have more growth potential. Companies that are newly listed can give substantially better returns than those that are already listed. However, there are certain challenges in front of NPS fund managers in this case. Even a look into a company’s financials, cannot determine how stocks would be welcomed by investors. The permit to allocate more funds towards group companies provides fund managers with more flexibility. As an NPS member, your returns will be multiplied if you have exposure to a group firm with strong growth prospects. To Conclude: The new NPS rules are mainly related to equities. The broader investment options may improve returns over time. Yet, you must not forget that higher returns come with higher risks, especially in the context of equity. Therefore, as an NPS subscriber, keep track of your investment’s performance. Change your NPS fund manager if you believe your portfolio is underperforming. Featured Posts NPS Calculator: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Retirement SmartlyWhat is an NPS calculator and how do you use it to plan your retirement?NPS Retirement Plan: Building a Corpus for Your Future? How can it help?7 Key Benefits of Investing in the National Pension System (NPS)Planning to Register for e-NPS? Avoid These Common Mistakes
Back to Blog Factors to consider when making investment decisions June 9, 2022 It is important to make investments that help fulfil your financial goals and ensure that you have a stable and secure future, but be aware that this is not always an easy process. There are several factors you need to consider that can influence your decisions. It is crucial that you make the right choice, and the right investments for you. Although there are several financial instruments that can help you build a corpus, not all of them may be suitable for you. It is important for you to know which investment format is good for you, and which ones best fit your financial needs. Let us take a look at a few such factors that you must consider while making an investment decision. Reason of investment The first, and most important thing to consider is the reason for making an investment. While it is true that investments are the key to a financially successful future, it is also important to understand that not all investment vehicles are the same. Each investment objective has it’s own pros and cons and a different objective. You must have a clear objective for your investments and then arrive at the right investment choice for you. In simple terms, if you are looking for a short term goal, the investment modes would be different than the financial instruments which cater to long term goals. Knowing your investment reason, and fixing on a goal gives you clarity on which investment vehicle is right for you. Researching the market Making an investment is an important decision, one which can alter your future significantly. Therefore, it is always advisable to conduct thorough market research before you make an investment decision. Doing this will help you understand the current market and give you an idea of the companies you should invest in. Knowing your investment goal and the type of investment you want to make, along with having a good understanding of the market, will enable you to make investment decisions that are best suited for you and help you succeed. Risk levels Nearly all investment vehicles carry with them some kind of risk. Therefore, it is important to understand the risk associated with the investment before you get involved. Your risk appetite should dictate your investments to help you make the most of your investments. If you want to ensure that your principal investment remains safe, go for lower risk investments, though the returns on those may not be high. If you’re looking for high returns and do not mind taking a few risks, then your investments will look a little different. Investment Tenure Your financial goals must have a time limit, which implies that the investments you make also have a specific tenure. The longer you make investments into one instrument, the higher corpus you are able to build for yourself. You also have a higher chance of earning a profit if the investment tenure is long term. However, not all investments provide a guarantee of positive returns. Depending on your financial goal, and the reason for investment, you should decide upon the duration for your investment. Taxations Before you make investment decisions, it is important to consider the taxation rules, and potential tax implications that may arise in the future. The reason is that different investments cause different taxation levels, which can affect your investment returns. It is imperative to understand the taxation laws and regulations before arriving at your investment. Understanding tax laws help you make sound investment decisions, which can help protect your financial future. Liquidity When making an investment decision, you should consider that you may have to liquidate that investment to meet other unforeseen needs. You should also consider the appreciation of value for your investment in the long run. If your chosen investment has long term potential and has high liquidity, as an investor, you can take advantage of the price movements in the market, and easily sell the investment if you wish. Volatility Volatility can be defined as the measure of how much the price of your asset can fluctuate over time. This can be a key influencer in your financial decisions, and is one of the most important factors to consider. Depending on your risk appetite, you should consider the volatility of your investment. This can highly influence your investment decisions, based on your investment objectives. For example, if you are investing for the purpose of a retirement plan, you are likely to invest in an instrument that has consistent returns with low volatility. The Company Before you invest in a company, it is imperative that you conduct a full research about the company, its operations, finances, and market projections. This gives you an idea of whether it is a good idea to invest in the company, and whether you see your financial goals get fulfilled by making the investment. Return on Investment The ROI, or Return on Investment is one of the key determinants to consider when making investment decisions. The entire point of making an investment is to generate returns and garner profits. Therefore, you must always consider your ROI when making financial decisions. An ROI can help you measure the profitability of your investment in relation to the principal amount. In case you decide that your investment is not generating enough ROI, you can stop investing in that instrument, and look for better options. Rate of Inflation Inflation is real, and it is something that is beyond your control. Therefore, it is a crucial factor that you must consider when making investment decisions. Over time, inflation can kill your savings, and erode your investment value. You should consider the effects of inflation on your investments before you make them. We hope a better understanding of the factors you should consider before you make an investment decision will help you make sound choices and have a successful financial future. However, nearly all investments are subject to market risks, and you should always consult your financial advisor before you make a decision on investments. Featured Posts How Technology Is Transforming Asset ManagementMutual Fund Software for Distributors: Explained!Understanding the Key Responsibilities of Mutual Fund DistributorsWhy Mutual Fund Software Is Essential for MFDs and Asset ManagersThings to Avoid While Choosing a Mutual Fund Software
Back to Blog What are the Eligibility Criteria for the National Pension System? June 8, 2022 In 2004, the National Pension Scheme (NPS) was introduced for salaried individuals as an alternative to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). The scheme was later extended to all individuals meeting the NPS eligibility criteria. The scheme aims to provide all Indian citizens with a regular income during their old-age and enhance social security in the country. What is the NPS? The National Pension Scheme (NPS), earlier called the New Pension Scheme, is a pension cum investment scheme. It is offered by the Government of India to guarantee old age security to Indian citizens. NPS invests the subscribers’ contributions into several market-linked instruments like debt and equity. The pension amount received after retirement depends on the performance of these investments. NPS Eligibility Norms The scheme is offered to private sector employees, government employees, and self-employed professionals.The NPS age eligibility is between 18 years and 60 years, at the time of application submission.The subscriber must submit valid KYC documents, such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, bank statement, etc.Both resident and non-resident Indians meeting the age criteria can open an NPS account. The NPS account of a non-resident Indian (NRI) is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). Documents Required to Open an NPS Account Once you fulfil the National Pension Scheme eligibility, you need to submit the following documents to open and maintain an NPS account: Subscriber registration formA passport-sized photographProof of address (Driving license, Passport, Aadhaar Card)Proof of identityProof of age or date of birthA cancelled cheque, if required Types of NPS Accounts There are two types of NPS accounts available to a subscriber. A Tier-1 account is mandatory, while Tier-2 accounts are voluntary. Tier-1 account: Subscribers use this account to contribute towards their pension from their savings. Withdrawals are restricted until retirement. The subscriber can claim tax benefits against the contributions made as per existing income tax policies.Tier-2 account: This account is optional and for investment purposes only. The applicant can withdraw from this account when required. Investments in NPS tier-2 accounts are not eligible for tax benefits. Check your eligibility for NPS Can I open multiple NPS accounts? An individual cannot open more than one NPS account. However, the applicant can open one account in NPS and another in the Atal Pension Yojna. Can I open a joint NPS account? As per the National Pension Scheme eligibility criteria, the subscriber must apply in an individual capacity. One cannot open or operate the account jointly with a spouse, child, relative, or on behalf of HUF. Can I open an NPS account if I have a PPF or any other pension plan? Yes, even if you contribute towards the EPF or you have an investment in the PPF, you fulfil the eligibility for opening an NPS account. Summing up The National Pension Scheme brings an attractive long-term saving avenue, helping individuals plan their retirement effectively.Additionally, like other pension plans, the National Pension Scheme too makes use of compounding interest for calculating the returns. Featured Posts NPS Calculator: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Retirement SmartlyWhat is an NPS calculator and how do you use it to plan your retirement?NPS Retirement Plan: Building a Corpus for Your Future? How can it help?7 Key Benefits of Investing in the National Pension System (NPS)Planning to Register for e-NPS? Avoid These Common Mistakes
Back to Blog How to Successfully Plan for Retirement? June 7, 2022 Retirement planning can be confusing and intimidating, with multiple financial products in the market, from both private and public sector entities, all advertising various benefits. Finding the one that suits your requirements, counters inflation, and offers you financial security can seem like a gamble. Some government-backed savings options can provide you with a safety net after your retirement, providing a regular income and comfort in your older years. The National Pension Scheme(NPS) is one such option that can be a great retirement companion. Let’s find out more about how to join NPS and use it to successfully plan for your retirement. What is NPS Investment? NPS is a voluntary social security scheme offered by the Central Government to employees from the public, private and unorganised sectors, with the only exception being people from the armed forces. It allows you to make regular contributions towards your retirement during your working years. After the age of 60, you can withdraw a part of the corpus in a lump sum, while the remaining portion is used to purchase an annuity plan for your future financial needs. Why to Invest in NPS? NPS is a dependable scheme that can offer you peace of mind and an adequate means of income after your retirement. If you are in two minds about how it can benefit you, here are some things to know: Help your money grow: NPS invests your money in a combination of securities, including equity, corporate debt, government bonds, as well as alternative investment funds. Overall, these help you create wealth without exposing you to too much risk. The NPS schemedraws a good balance between high-risk equity and low-risk bonds. The equity investment is gradually reduced by 2.5% each year, after you turn 50. This allows your money to grow in value and beat inflation without putting you in a high-risk situation.You can use an NPS calculator for more clarity on returns. Financial security in retirement: You can withdraw your money from the NPS account after the age of 60 years. 60% of the total corpus can be withdrawn and used for your immediate needs. This could be to buy or renovate a house, travel, cover medical bills, or cater to any other needs that you might have. The remaining 40% is invested in an annuity of your choice, from a Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)-registered insurance company. This ensures that you receive a regular income for life. The primary goal of the NPS is to replicate your income in retirement. Even though you won’t be working, you will still have a steady income to depend on. Control your investments: The NPS schemeoffers two options to manage your investments – auto and active choice. The auto choice automatically decides your asset allocation as per your age. This option follows the life-cycle based approach (moderate, conservative, and aggressive), which invests in equity when you are young and gradually moves to lower risk options as you age. The active choice lets you pick the asset class allocation on your own. You can decide which way to go based on your preference and goals. You also have the option to change your fund manager if you do not like performance of your current one and find that your investment has not shown sufficient growth. Save tax: NPS is an excellent tax-saving tool. You can avail of a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per annum under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. You can claim an additional deduction of ₹50,000 under Section 80CCD (1B). Further, if your employer is contributing to your NPS, you can claim another tax deduction of up to 10% of your salary, including the basic pay and dearness allowance or equal to the contributions made by the employer towards the NPS under Section 80CCD (2). To sum it up With it government backing, balance between risk and returns and the tax savings it offers, NPS can be the perfect financial tool for retirement planning.Moreover, the minimum investment is only ₹500 for Tier I and ₹250 for Tier II accounts at registration, making it ideal for all income groups. You can use an NPS return calculatorandstart planning a successful retirement today. Featured Posts NPS Calculator: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Retirement SmartlyWhat is an NPS calculator and how do you use it to plan your retirement?NPS Retirement Plan: Building a Corpus for Your Future? How can it help?7 Key Benefits of Investing in the National Pension System (NPS)Planning to Register for e-NPS? Avoid These Common Mistakes
Back to Blog Do I Need to Be Employed by The Government To Join NPS? June 6, 2022 The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is one of the best investment initiatives offered by the Government of India. It came into existence in early 2004 and is aimed at providing an old-age income to senior citizens. The scheme ensures that they receive security coverage post-retirement. Initially, the program offered NPS for central government employees only. Later, it was opened to all citizens, including private-sector employees and self-employed professionals. NPS is one of many investment products that lets subscribers regularly contribute during a financial year. Such a plan helps to build a corpus in the pension account. The NPS contribution for central government employees is made during the employment period. After retirement, subscribers can withdraw a part of the contribution. The remaining is received as a monthly pension. The subscriber can also choose to invest the unused part in other investment options. Structure of Pension Scheme for Central Government Employees There is not much difference between the state and central government pension schemes. They also don’t differ much from the schemes offered to public or corporate employees. NPS for central government employees also extends to the central autonomous bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Likewise, the NPS for state government employees also extends to autonomous state bodies like the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) or the National Power Training Institute (NPTI). The account structure for Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts is also the same across entities. The NPS contribution for state government employees and the tax benefits are all the same as well. The pay and accounts officer (PAO) is responsible for the salary disbursal of government employees. The officer also supervises statutory deductions. The nodal officer also plays a vital role since they form the connection between the subscribers and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). At the nodal office, the Drawing and Disbursal officer (DDO) receives the NPS application form for state government employees, withdrawal requests, verification, and application for modification of details. The DDO forwards these requests to the CRA for processing. NPS Account Opening Rules As soon as government employees join the service, they can open an NPS account. All they need to do is fill out the necessary details in the NPS form for state govt employees. NPS Income Tax Benefit An NPS subscriber is entitled to claim tax deductions of up to ₹1,50,000 under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Moreover, the account holder can claim an additional deduction of ₹50,000 for investment in NPS Tier 1 account under Section 80CCD (1B). This totals the deductions to ₹2 lakh. Wrapping Up A government employee contributes more than the mandatory limit of 10 percent in the Tier 1 account. But the government does not make any matching contribution. Employees can choose an investment pattern from the list of pension funds available for government servants. Featured Posts NPS Calculator: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Retirement SmartlyWhat is an NPS calculator and how do you use it to plan your retirement?NPS Retirement Plan: Building a Corpus for Your Future? How can it help?7 Key Benefits of Investing in the National Pension System (NPS)Planning to Register for e-NPS? Avoid These Common Mistakes
Back to Blog Functions of PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority) June 5, 2022 The Government of India has initiated many programs for senior citizen over the years. These programs aim at fixing monthly pension schemes after retirement. In 2003, Parliament passed the Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill. The goal was to promote, regulate, and develop a pension system in the country. After the preparation of the final system in 2013, the PFRDA came into being. It was an improved version of IPRDA and is a permanent act. It is the regulatory body for supervising the National Pension Scheme. Earlier, the National Pension Scheme by PFRDA was for government employees only. But it was later extended to all Indian citizens. This includes non-resident Indians (NRI) and self-employed citizens. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and its Functions The PFRDA is the pension regulator for the National Pension Scheme. It functions towards the promotion and development of pension schemes. The Central Autonomous Body (CAB) has legislative, executive, and judicial powers. It is like other financial sector regulators in the country. These bodies include SEBI, RBI, IRDA, etc. It is a quasi-government organisation. The Indian government provides support, but the management is private. The regulatory body has its headquarters in New Delhi. There are many regional offices across the country. A list of PFRDA functions is as follows: Promoting pension schemes to secure the old age financial requirements of retired individualsRegulating the pension schemes that fall under the PFRDA act (NPS and Atal Pension Yojana)Protecting the interests of pension fund subscribersGoverning and supervising Tier-1 and Tier-2 accounts of the NPSRegistering and regulating intermediaries like Central Record-Keeping Agency (CRA), Pension Fund Managers, etc.Training intermediaries to familiarise and educate people on the importance of pension fundsEducating stakeholders and the general public about the benefits of PFRDA NPSApproving schemes and formulating the guidelines for managing pension fund corpusEstablishing a grievance redressal mechanismAddressing grievances on the various pension schemes in the countryRegulating the regulated assets Online Services of PFRDA It is easy to apply for NPS both offline and online. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) takes care of the same. The regulatory organization offers many internet services. These services encourage professionals to apply for different NPS by PFRDA. They include: Pension Fund account opening through NPSProcessing contributions to the Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).Activating Tier-2 accountUpdating subscribers’ personal informationChanging investment strategyChanging the PFRDA pension arrangementsDownloading and accessing transaction statements through PFRDA NPS loginProcessing withdrawal or departure requestsFiling complaints and queriesPrinting e-PRAN and other documents Conclusion The National Pension Scheme is an initiative by the Government of India. It aims at facilitating a regular income for all subscribers after retirement. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) governs the NPS. The PFRDA offers National Pension Scheme through four types of accounts. They are All Citizen Model, Corporate Model, Government Sector, and Subscribers accounts. Featured Posts NPS Calculator: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Retirement SmartlyWhat is an NPS calculator and how do you use it to plan your retirement?NPS Retirement Plan: Building a Corpus for Your Future? How can it help?7 Key Benefits of Investing in the National Pension System (NPS)Planning to Register for e-NPS? Avoid These Common Mistakes