Frequently Asked Questions - Atal Pension Yojana

1. What is Pension? Why do I need it?

A Pension provides people with a monthly income when they are no longer earning.

Need for Pension:

Ø Decreased income earning potential with age.

Ø The rise of nuclear family-Migration of earning members.

Ø Rise in cost of living.

Ø Increased longevity.

Assured monthly income ensures dignified life in old age.

2. What is Atal Pension Yojana?

Atal Pension Yojana (APY), a pension scheme for citizens of India focussed on the unorganised sector workers. Under the APY, guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/-, 2,000/-, 3,000/-, 4,000 and 5,000/- per month will be given at the age of 60 years depending on the contributions by the subscribers.

3. Who can subscribe to APY?

Any Citizen of India can join APY scheme. The following are the eligibility criteria,

i The age of the subscriber should be between 18 - 40 years.

ii He / She should have a savings bank account/ open a savings bank account.

iii The prospective applicant should be in possession of mobile number and its details are to be furnished to the bank during registration.

Ø Government co-contribution is available for 5 years, i.e., from 2015-16 to 2019-20 for the subscribers who join the scheme during the period from 1st June, 2015 to 31st December, 2015 and who are not covered by any Statutory Social Security Schemes and are not income tax payers.

4. Who are the other social security schemes beneficiaries not eligible to receive Government co-contribution under APY?

Beneficiaries who are covered under statutory social security schemes are not eligible to receive Government co-contribution. For example, members of the Social Security Schemes under the following enactments would not be eligible to receive Government co-contribution:

i. Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952.

ii. The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1948.

iii. Assam Tea PlantationProvident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision, 1955.

iv. Seamens’ Provident Fund Act, 1966.

v. Jammu Kashmir Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1961.

vi. Any other statutory social security scheme.

5. How much pension will be received under APY?

Guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1,000/-, 2,000/-, 3,000/-, 4,000 and 5,000/- per month will be given at the age of 60 years depending on the contributions by the subscribers. The benefit of minimum pension under Atal Pension Yojana would be guaranteed by the Government in the sense that if the actual realised returns on the pension contributions are less than the assumed returns, for minimum guaranteed pension, over the period of contribution, such shortfall shall be funded by the Government. On the other hand, if the actual returns on the pension contributions are higher than the assumed returns for minimum guaranteed pension, over the period of contribution, such excess shall be credited to the subscriber’s account, resulting in enhanced scheme benefits to the subscribers.

6. What is the benefit in joining APY scheme?

In APY, Government will co-contribute 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1,000/- per annum, whichever is lower, to the eligible APY account holders who join the scheme 3

during the period 1st June, 2015 to 31st December, 2015. The Government co-contribution will be given for 5 years from FY 2015-16 to 2019-20.

7. How are the contributions of APY invested?

The contributions under APY are invested as per the investment guidelines prescribed by Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The APY scheme is administered by PFRDA/GOVERNMENT.

8. What is the procedure for opening APY Account?

i Approach the bank branch where individual’s savings bank account is held.

ii Fill up the APY registration form.

iii Provide Aadhaar/Mobile Number.

iv Ensure keeping the required balance in the savings bank account for transfer of monthly contribution.

9. Whether Aadhaar Number is compulsory for joining the scheme?

It is not mandatory to provide Aadhaar number for opening APY account. However, For enrolment, Aadhaar would be the primary KYC document for identification of beneficiaries, spouse and nominees to avoid pension rights and entitlement related disputes in the long-term.

10.Can I open APY Account without savings bank account?

No. For joining APY, savings bank account is mandatory.

11.What is the mode of contribution to the account?

All the contributions are to be remitted monthly through auto-debit facility from savings bank account of the subscriber.

12.What is the due date for monthly contribution?

The due date for monthly contribution will be as per the initial date of deposit of contribution into APY.

13.What will happen if required or sufficient amount is not maintained in the savings bank account for contribution on the due date?

Non-maintenance of required balance in the savings bank account for contribution on the specified date will be considered as default. Banks are required to collect additional amount for delayed payments, such amount will vary from minimum Re 1 per month to Rs 10/- per month as shown below:

i. Re. 1 per month for contribution upto Rs. 100 per month.

ii. Re. 2 per month for contribution upto Rs. 101 to 500/- per month.

iii. Re 5 per month for contribution between Rs 501/- to 1000/- per month.

iv. Rs 10 per month for contribution beyond Rs 1001/- per month.

Discontinuation of payments of contribution amount shall lead to following:

After 6 months account will be frozen.

After 12 months account will be deactivated.

After 24 months account will be closed.

Subscriber should ensure that the Bank account to be funded enough for auto debit of contribution amount.

The fixed amount of interest/penalty will remain as part of the pension corpus of the subscriber.

14.How much should I invest in APY to get the guaranteed pension of Rs. 1000?

Age of Joining

Years of Contribution

Indicative Monthly contribution