Investing in the right scheme to ensure that your post-retirement life is safe is no longer a distant dream. There are numerous options which you can explore to create a sizable corpus and live a peaceful retirement life.
One such scheme is the national pension scheme provided by the State Bank of India. Although at the time of its launch, the scheme was available only for government employees, now any person meeting the eligibility criteria can invest in the national pension scheme of the State Bank of India.
If you plan to invest in a scheme that builds a sizable corpus for your post-retirement life, then the SBI national pension scheme is worth exploring. Let’s delve into the details of the SBI National Pension Scheme.
Key Features of SBI NPS
The SBI national pension scheme is worth investing in while you are still working to ensure that you have financial security even after retirement. Let’s take a look at the key features of the SBI NPS that will get you on board:
One of the key benefits of investing in the SBI NPS is that you are promised a pension on retirement without having to continue the investment. Simply put, what you invest when you are still working turns into a sizeable corpus when your regular income flow is absent.
Another feature that you must know before investing in SBI NPS is that it promises cost-effectiveness. Under the SBI national pension scheme, you can create two types of accounts: Tier-1 and Tier-2. To create a Tier-1 account you have to invest a minimum of ₹ 500 and to create a Tier-2 account you have to invest a minimum of ₹ 2000 only.
The SBI NPS comes with multiple tax benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about tax benefits under the SBI NPS:1
For Self-Employed Individuals: 20% of gross income invested is eligible for tax deductions under section 80CCD (1) of the Income Tax Act, subject to a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh.
For investments up to ₹50,000, there are tax deductions under section 80CCD(1B). Know that, this benefit is over and above the ₹1.5 lakh limit of Section 80CCE.
For Salaried Individuals: Investments up to 10% of Salary in the scheme are eligible for tax deductions under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, subject to a maximum of ₹1.5 lakhs.
For investments up to ₹50,000, there are tax deductions under section 80CCD(1B). Know that this benefit is over and above the ₹1.5 lakh limit of Section 80CCE.
One of the key features of SBI NPS is that the funds you invest are spread across different asset classes to ensure diversification that helps in risk mitigation. For instance: There are four kinds of investment funds that you can invest through the scheme; Asset classes A, C, E and G. Now you can choose to either actively invest in different asset classes or opt for an auto investment under which your fund will be spread across various asset classes.
Investing in the SBI NPS is ideal if you do not want to constantly engage in active analysis of the market. The scheme provides professional fund managers to spread your funds across promising asset classes. You can either choose from the fund managers under SBI or other available options. Additionally, you also have the option to switch your fund manager and investment fund as per your requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for National Pension Scheme SBI
To invest in the SBI national pension scheme you must meet the eligibility criteria. For your reference, here’s a list of eligibility requirements that you must clear:
Applicants must be between 18 and 70 years of age.
Applicants must be a resident Indian. Remember that the SBI NPS is available for resident citizens of India and not for NRIs.
To open a Tier I account, applicants must make a minimum investment of ₹ 500 and to open a Tier II account, applicants must make a minimum investment of ₹ 1000.
How to Invest in SBI Bank National Pension Scheme?
To invest in the SBI national pension scheme you can either offer the online or off-line method.
Offline Investment
To invest in NPS SBI through the offline method here’s what you have to do:
Visit the nearest SBI branch and make sure that you have an existing SBI account and if not you have to first create an SBI account.
You can ask for the NPS registration form. Fill in the details and submit it. You can also download the form from the official website of SBI, get it printed and submit it at the nearest SBI branch.
While submitting the form you have to make the initial minimum payment as required depending on the account type.
Once you have made the payment, the SBI NPS account will be opened.
Online Investment
To invest in the SBI NPS online remember that you must be an existing SBI customer with active net banking. Here’s how you can invest in the SBI NPS:
Visit the official website of SBI and login into your account.
Select the “payments and transfers” option and you will be able to find a “NPS contributions” menu.
Once you have selected the menu, you have to select a beneficiary and the amount you want to invest.
Next, the selected amount will be deducted from your SBI savings account and transferred into the NPS fund.
Remember that investments under NPS continue till the time you turn 60 years of age and maturity you can withdraw 60% of the fund in a lump sum and this amount will be tax-free.
Required Documents for SBI NPS
Identity Proof: Any identity proof issued by the government of India like an aadhar card, PAN card etc.
Address Proof: Any valid address proof like utility bill, rent agreement etc.
Age Proof: Any government-approved document showing your DOB.
Conclusion
Investing in the SBI NPS is a reliable option to explore to build a sizable corpus for your post-retirement life. The low-cost investment and promised returns make the scheme beneficial. Additionally, with professional fund managers, you know that your investments are safe. Visit the nearest SBI branch or the official SBI website to invest in NPS.