Financial inclusion, low-cost benefit, and social security for the Indian citizens have been the top priority of the Modi government and the launch of various schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima and Suraksha Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, etc proves the same. Today in this article, we will discuss in detail about Atal Pension Yojana.
Atal Pension Yojana
Atal Pension Yojana also known as APY is a government-backed pension scheme and is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
It was launched in accordance with Jan Dhan Yojana, to bring the masses employed in the unorganized and rural sector under the purview of Pension Scheme.
This scheme aims to provide a definite pension to all Indian citizens.
However, you need to contribute accordingly, in order to get pension during your old age.
Under this scheme, for every contribution made to the pension fund, the government also contributes 50% of the total contribution or Rs 1000 p.a. (whichever is lower) to each individual account for a 5 year period.
Features
The main features of Atal Pension Yojana are discussed below-
1. Guaranteed monthly pension– It offers a guaranteed monthly pension between Rs 1000-5000 to the subscriber post-retirement depending upon the contribution you made.
2. Eligibility– This scheme is open to all Indian citizens with savings bank account.
Any individual between 18-40 years can join the plan and the benefit would start post-retirement.
Hence, the minimum period of contribution under this scheme is 20 years or more.
3. Government’s contribution– The central government will also contribute 50% of the subscriber’s contribution or Rs 1000 p.a. (whichever is lower).
However, the contribution made by government is restricted to those who are not an income taxpayer and are not covered by any Statutory Social security Scheme.
Benefits
This program aims to provide security to the retirees and also instills a habit of savings and investments among the poor masses of our country.
The government’s decision to contribute 50% of the contribution or Rs 1000 (whichever is higher) for a period of five years; will benefit the poorest section of the society in a great way.
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Enrolment process
You have to fill an authorization form and submit to the bank.
The form will require details like your account number, nominee details, and approval for auto-debit of the contribution amount.
You can download the form here.
The forms are available in various languages including Hindi, English, Bangla, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Odiaa and Telugu.
However, make sure that there is sufficient balance in the account every month, otherwise, you will be imposed with a monthly fine.
You can use our Atal Pension Yojana Calculator from here
Recent developments
The government has planned to expand the benefit of the scheme through Post Offices, selected Payment Banks (11 as of now)and Small Finance Banks(10 as of now) in order to bring more people under its coverage.
This decision is expected to benefit the people, especially in the rural areas.
How to exit the scheme?
An account holder under normal circumstances cannot exit the scheme before 60 years.
The exit is only possible under special circumstances in case of death of the beneficiary.
You can also read: National Pension Scheme- Retirement Scheme for all
Bottomline
The government through this scheme wishes to make the unorganized labor force (which is about 85% of the total labor force) to join the scheme and avail the benefits.
However, already around 1.10 crore people have registered for the scheme as on May 2018.
So anyone who has attained the desired age, having an Aadhaar card along with a bank account can apply for the scheme.
just want to know more about APY, If I planned 5000rs for 30 years for pension plan, my monthly contribution is 577.
total for 30 years about 2 laks, after 60 years of my age the amount 2 laks has been returned or not? or only 5000 rs pension for month. please advise.
Hello Srinivas,
Thank you for your comment.
As per the official information available: if the subscriber to the APY(Atal Pension Yojna) dies after the age of 60 years: the pension will be available to the spouse of the subscriber and upon the death of both the spouse and the subscriber:the pension corpus (in your example: Rs 2 lakhs) will be returned to the nominee.
If the subscriber dies before attaining 60 years: the pension wealth will be returned to the spouse.In this case:there will be no gurranteed or fixed pension payout.
You may read: National Pension Scheme- Retirement Scheme for all to know more about NPS : which is another pension scheme of the Government.
Happy Reading!
Now my plan is 577 how many year to pay APY premium to mechur then when I get pention already am paying from 3years
Hello Sunitha,
Thank You for your comment.
As, per the information given in the official website of APY, depending upon the age at which you have started contributing in APY, the contribution will vary from 20 years (if you have entered APY at 40 years ) to 42 years (if you have entered APy at 18 years).
The monthly pension under APY will start once you reach the age of 60 years.
National Pension Scheme(NPS) is another pension Scheme introduced by the Government of India. To know more about NPS you can read National Pension Scheme- Retirement Scheme for all
Happy Reading!!
Detail of schemes
Atal pension
I am 30 years old now and planning for a pension of rs5000. What will be my monthly contribution to the pension scheme?
It is mentioned that in case of death of the subscriber happens before he attains 60 years of age pension wealth will be returned. Is the pension wealth is the return of corpus amount?
Hello Ramkumar,
Thank you for your comment.
If the subscriber to Atal Pension Yojna dies before the age of 60 years then the amount of pension wealth i.e the corpus shall be returned to the nominee of the subscriber.
To know more about other important social schemes by the Government of India , you may read: 7 Government of India Schemes to Invest for Social Security
Happy Reading!!
I want to closed this facility from my acciunt
Hello Rajeev,
Your bank will be the best person to guide you on the procedure for closure of Atal pension Yojanna Account.
To know more about social schemes of the Government of India you may read: 7 Government of India Schemes to Invest for Social Security blog.
Happy Reading!!
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