NPS

NPS : Cabinet approves amendmended PFRDA Bill with option of Minimum Assured Return

The union cabinet today approved the introduction of certain official amendments to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill, 2011 that allows the subscriber seeking minimum assured returns to opt for investing his funds in such schemes providing minimum assured returns as may be notified by the Authority.

These official amendments have been necessitated in view of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance which has examined the Bill. Based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance, the Government has decided to accept the following:

1. That the subscriber seeking minimum assured returns shall be allowed to opt for investing his funds in such schemes providing minimum assured returns as may be notified by the Authority;
   
   
2. Withdrawals not exceeding 25 per cent of the contribution made by subscriber will be permitted from the individual pension account subject to the conditions, such as, purpose, frequency and limits, as may be specified by regulations by the Pension Fund Regulatory Authority and Development Authority (PFRDA)
   
   
3. The foreign investment ceiling in the pension sector at 26 per cent or such percentage as may be approved for the Insurance Sector, whichever is higher may be incorporated in the present legislation;
   
   
4. To establish a vibrant Pension Advisory Committee with representation from all major stakeholders to advise PFRDA on important matters of framing of regulations under the PFRDA Act.
   
   
5. The membership of the PFRDA will be confined to professionals having expertise in economics, finance or law only.