New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the mandatory contribution by the Central Government for its employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) Tier-I from the existing 10% to 14%. The cabinet also approved a proposal for providing freedom of choice for selection of Pension Funds and pattern of investment to central government employees.
Tax exemption limit for lump sum withdrawal on exit has been enhanced to 60%. With this, the entire withdrawal will now be exempt from income tax. (At present, 40% of the total accumulated corpus utilized for purchase of annuity is already tax exempted. Out of 60% of the accumulated corpus withdrawn by the NPS subscriber at the time of retirement, 40% is tax exempt and balance 20% is taxable.)
Contribution by the Government employees under Tier-II of NPS will now be covered under Section 80 C for deduction up to Rs. 1.50 lakh for the purpose of income tax at par with the other schemes such as General Provident Fund, Contributory Provident Fund, Employees Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund provided that there is a lock-in period of 3 years.