Guwahati, March 5: Combined subscribers of two most popular social security schemes in the country – National Pension Scheme (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – have surpassed 7.24 crores with a total Asset Under Management (AUM) of Rs 11.50 lakh crore as on March 2 in the current year.
The number of subscribers in the private sector, including corporates, exceeds 53.70 lacs with AUM of Rs.2.21 lakh crore (as on 02/03/2024). Over 15,000+ corporates have adopted NPS and have registered 19.25 lacs employees under NPS, according to a Press communique issued here today.
The National Pension System (NPS) has been implemented for all Government Employees (except armed forces) entering the Central Government workforce on or after January 1, 2004. Most of the State/UT Governments have also adopted the NPS for their new employees. Since May 1, 2009, NPS has been available to every Indian Citizen on a voluntary basis, including corporates. Notably, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched on June 1, 2015, providing a significant boost to social security schemes.
With objective to promote awareness of NPS among corporate entities, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) organizes nationwide NPS Awareness programmes for corporates titled “NPS- Foundation of a Better Future”.
Such an awareness programme was conducted in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) conducted an awareness programme at NEDFI House, Dispur, Guwahati in presence of members of corporates and SMEs based out of Guwahati and the North East Region today.
The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, PFRDA. In his address Dr Mohanty emphasized the growing concerns related to an aging society and increasing life expectancy, underscoring the necessity for adequate pension coverage. He further elaborated on the efficiency, scale, and returns that NPS has delivered and urged corporates and the SMEs to adopt NPS for the benefit of their employees.
Sumit Kumar, CGM- PFRDA explained the product benefits and features of NPS and highlighted the importance of NPS for corporate employees. Gunaram Saikia- DGM, Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) provided insights on NPS implementation at APDCL.
Other notable speakers included Dr. Samir Baruah, Chairman, ICC NER Banking & MSME Committee and former General Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Ritobrata Sarkar, Head of Retirement, Willis Towers Watson and Pradeep Purohit, Chief Operating Officer of Star Cement Limited and Member of ICC.
The speakers addressed critical topics such as retirement benefits planning, features of NPS including Tax benefits under NPS, and shared experiences in respect of NPS Onboarding and Implementation in Corporates.
The conference was attended by over 130 delegates from 65 MSMEs and 8 Points of Presence.