Factors to Keep in Mind While Choosing NPS Scheme

Introduction:

The NPS scheme is a viable, secure, and popular government-backed pension scheme. With tax benefits, easy accessibility, and flexibility, the appeal of NPS further increases. However, since NPS offers market-linked growth on your money, it is essential to select the right scheme. Read on to know more about the options available under NPS and how you can choose one.

There are two investment options in NPS:

Auto choice:

The auto choice option appoints a fund manager who invests your money on your behalf. The decision to select companies is that of the fund manager and not yours. It is an ideal option for passive investors who do not have enough knowledge or time to make investments independently. If you pick this method, your funds will be automatically allocated to different asset classes. Usually, your portfolio will be heavily invested in equity when you are young and gradually shift to debt instruments as you age. The auto choice is divided into three sub-categories:

1. Aggressive Life Cycle Fund (LC75): This fund allows up to 75% equity allocation up to 35. Post this, the percentage of equities is lowered to 15% by the age of 55.
2. Moderate Life Cycle Fund (LC50): This fund allows a maximum limit of 50% on equity allocation up to 35 years. This is reduced to 10% by the age of 55.
3. Conservative Life Cycle Fund (LC25): This fund permits up to 25% equity allocation up to 35. This is reduced to 5% by the age of 55.

Active Choice:

The active choice method lets you choose the asset allocation for your NPS scheme. That is ideal if you are an active investor with the required understanding and insight into the market. There are four asset classes under this option, and you can select them as per your risk appetite. These include:

1. Equity: Under this, your money is invested in equity market investments. Equity contains a high level of risk along with the possibility of high returns. It can also be volatile but is a preferred instrument for generating long-term wealth.
2. Corporate debt:Your contributions are invested in fixed-income instruments issued by corporate houses. Corporate bonds offer medium risk and returns.
3. Government security:These are low-risk and return instruments. Your money is invested in government securities and exposed to very low volatility or market fluctuations.
4. Alternative investment funds:These invest your funds in venture capital, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), private equity funds, etc.

You can invest up to 75% of your funds in equities and 5% in alternative investment funds up to the age of 50 under the active choice option. Post 60, the equity allocation will be reduced by 2.5% each year, ultimately reaching 50% by the time you turn 60.

What are the fund options under the NPS scheme?

The government sector offers the following three fund options:

1. LIC Pension Fund Ltd.
2. SBI Pension Funds Pvt. Ltd.
3. UTI Retirement Solutions Ltd.

The private sector offers the following seven fund options:

1. ICICI Prudential Pension Fund Management Co. Ltd.
2. LIC Pension Fund Ltd.
3. SBI Pension Funds Pvt. Ltd.
4. UTI Retirement Solutions Ltd.
5. HDFC Pension Management Co. Ltd.
6. Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund Ltd.
7. Aditya Birla Sunlife Pension Management Ltd

You can select a fund based on the sector – government or private. Selection within the sector can be based on the past years rolling returns. Since NPS is a relatively new scheme, there is not enough historical data to rely on. However, regardless of the fund you select, it may be advised to allocate more funds to equities in the beginning years of your investment to earn better returns.

To sum it up

Make sure to consider your investment style – active or passive, before picking out an NPS scheme. Moreover, if you select the active choice, keep your risk appetite in mind and then invest as per your current age and future retirement goals.