Budget 2021 Expectations: Will Modi govt increase voluntary contribution limit in National Pension System?

Union Budget 2021 Expectations for NPS: Every time the finance minister makes the Budget announcements, the expectation for the changes in the National Pension System (NPS) remains high. The government and the PFRDA have been taking several steps in the past to make NPS a more investor-friendly investment option for retirement.

Currently, the maximum tax benefit under section 80CCD(1B) is Rs 50,000 a year. As per section 80CCD(1B), the taxpayer – either employee or self-employed – is allowed deductions on the amount contributed towards NPS up to Rs 50,000. The deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) is over and above the deduction availed under Section 80CCD(1). However, the same amount cannot be claimed under both the sections. “The government should consider increasing the additional deduction limit for individuals from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 or Rs 150,000 when it comes to NPS. Today, the Section 80C limit of Rs150,000 for many taxpayers is not enough to save tax. Increasing the NPS limit for additional deduction will help people to save tax and encourage long-term investing,” says Harshad Chetanwala, Co-Founder, MyWealthGrowth.com.

On the amount invested in NPS, one can avail tax breaks under Section 80CCD (1), Section 80CCD(1B) and Section 80CCD (2) of the I-T Act. Importantly, as per Section 80CCE, the aggregate amount of deduction under Section 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD(1) cannot exceed Rs 1. 5 lakh in a financial year.

“At present, the voluntary contribution under NPS is exempt to the extent of Rs 50,000. Further, NPS contribution by the Central government for Central government employees was increased from 10% to 14% with effect from 1 April 2019. An increase in the limit of NPS investment (including employees of private sector) is expected – Preferably from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000,” says Raghunathan Parthasarathy, Associate Partner – Tax & Regulatory Services, BDO India.

The tax structure of NPS is in a way tax-free for the investor. While the maximum withdrawal amount of 60 per cent at age 60 is tax-free, the balance 40 per cent is not taxable in the hands of the investor. However, when annuity becomes payable on the balance 40 per cent, the pension received is taxable as per the income tax slab of the individual. “The government in 2019 raised the income tax deduction limit on withdrawal from NPS corpus on retirement or reaching the age of 60 to 60 per cent from 40 per cent. On retirement, a subscriber can withdraw a lump-sum of up to 60 per cent of the NPS corpus fund and the balance 40 per cent has to be invested in an annuity plan. With this the government has brought NPS benefits almost at par with provident fund, which is exempt on withdrawal provided the employee has been a member for 5 years with the fund,” says Aarti Raote, Partner, Deloitte India.

However, not all experts have the same opinion on the increase in the voluntary limit. “In 2020, the government capped the overall exemption limit for contribution to retirals (superannuation, PF and NPS) at Rs 750,000. It is unlikely that the government would further seek to make changes to the already beneficial provisions,” says Raote.