The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a social security scheme launched by the Government of India with the primary objective of providing regular income in old age to people working in the unorganized sector. The scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2015 and is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
A large number of people in India are not covered by any formal pension system. Daily wage earners, small traders, domestic workers, and the self-employed face financial insecurity in old age, particularly in the United States. The Atal Pension Yojana offers a solution to this problem, allowing individuals to make regular contributions throughout their life and receive a guaranteed pension after the age of 60.
Objective of Atal Pension Yojana
The main objective of the Atal Pension Yojana is to provide financial security in old age to all citizens of India, especially the poor and the underprivileged. Through this scheme, the government aims to ensure that individuals receive a guaranteed minimum pension after the age of 60, so that they can live their lives with dignity and financial independence.
Atal Pension Yojana Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply for Atal Pension Yojana?
Atal Pension Yojana योजना में शामिल होने के लिए निम्नलिखित शर्तें आवश्यक हैं:
- आवेदक भारतीय नागरिक होना चाहिए
- न्यूनतम आयु 18 वर्ष और अधिकतम आयु 40 वर्ष होनी चाहिए
- व्यक्ति के पास एक सक्रिय बैंक या पोस्ट ऑफिस खाता होना चाहिए
बैंक खाता और आधार की अनिवार्यता
- Atal Pension Yojana योजना पूरी तरह से बैंकिंग प्रणाली पर आधारित है
- अंशदान सीधे बैंक खाते से ऑटो-डेबिट होता है
- आधार कार्ड का बैंक खाते से लिंक होना आवश्यक है
- मोबाइल नंबर लिंक होना चाहिए ताकि अपडेट और नोटिफिकेशन मिल सकें
What are the rules for Tax payers?
Under current rules, individuals who are income tax payers are not eligible for the Atal Pension Yojana. This scheme is primarily for those who lack social security.
Key Benefits of Atal Pension Yojana
Guaranteed Monthly Pension
The most significant feature of the Atal Pension Yojana is that the pension amount is pre-determined. Individuals can choose from a monthly pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000, or ₹5,000, depending on their needs. This pension is paid for life after the age of 60.
Benefits after death of husband/wife
If the subscriber dies, their spouse continues to receive a pension of the same amount, providing continued financial security to the family.
Return of Corpus
If both the subscriber and their spouse die, the entire corpus deposited under the plan is passed to the nominee. This serves as a type of financial inheritance.
Tax Benefits
Investments made in Atal Pension Yojana are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80CCD of the Income Tax Act, making this scheme useful for tax planning as well.
Atal Pension Yojana Contribution Charts & Investment
The monthly contribution to the Atal Pension Yojana depends on your age and the pension amount you choose. The younger you join the scheme, the lower your monthly investment.
नीचे एक विस्तृत उदाहरण तालिका दी गई है:
| प्रवेश आयु (Age) | ₹1000 पेंशन | ₹2000 पेंशन | ₹3000 पेंशन | ₹4000 पेंशन | ₹5000 पेंशन |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 वर्ष | ₹42 | ₹84 | ₹126 | ₹168 | ₹210 |
| 20 वर्ष | ₹50 | ₹100 | ₹150 | ₹198 | ₹248 |
| 25 वर्ष | ₹76 | ₹151 | ₹226 | ₹301 | ₹376 |
| 30 वर्ष | ₹116 | ₹231 | ₹347 | ₹462 | ₹577 |
| 35 वर्ष | ₹181 | ₹362 | ₹543 | ₹722 | ₹902 |
| 40 वर्ष | ₹291 | ₹582 | ₹873 | ₹1164 | ₹1454 |
Sources: https://jansuraksha.gov.in/Files/APY/ENGLISH/APY.pdf
यह तालिका स्पष्ट करती है कि जल्दी निवेश शुरू करने से कम राशि में अधिक लाभ प्राप्त किया जा सकता है।
How to Apply for Atal Pension Yojana
Offline Process
- अपने नजदीकी बैंक या पोस्ट ऑफिस में जाएं
- APY आवेदन फॉर्म प्राप्त करें और उसे भरें
- आवश्यक दस्तावेज संलग्न करें
- बैंक खाते से ऑटो-डेबिट की अनुमति दें
Online/Net Banking Process
आजकल अधिकांश बैंक नेट बैंकिंग या मोबाइल ऐप के माध्यम से APY में नामांकन की सुविधा प्रदान करते हैं।
- अपने बैंक की इंटरनेट बैंकिंग में लॉगिन करें
- Social Security Schemes या APY विकल्प चुनें
- आवश्यक विवरण भरें और सबमिट करें
Important Documents Required
- पहचान पत्र
- आधार कार्ड
- बैंक खाता विवरण या पासबुक
- मोबाइल नंबर
Atal Pension Yojana’s Withdrawal & Exit Rules
60 वर्ष की आयु के बाद निकासी
On attaining the age of 60 years, the person starts receiving the chosen pension amount.
60 वर्ष से पहले स्वैच्छिक निकासी
Under normal circumstances, exiting the plan before age 60 is not permitted. However, withdrawals may be permitted under special circumstances.
असाधारण परिस्थितियाँ
- गंभीर बीमारी
- अंशदाता की मृत्यु
इन स्थितियों में योजना से बाहर निकलने या लाभ ट्रांसफर करने की सुविधा उपलब्ध होती है।
APY खाता बंद होने या प्रीमियम न भरने पर क्या होगा?
यदि कोई व्यक्ति समय पर अंशदान नहीं करता है, तो उस पर मामूली पेनल्टी लगाई जाती है।
- ₹1 से ₹10 तक मासिक पेनल्टी
- लगातार भुगतान न करने पर:
- खाता फ्रीज हो सकता है
- खाता निष्क्रिय हो सकता है
- अंततः खाता बंद भी किया जा सकता है
इसलिए समय पर भुगतान बनाए रखना आवश्यक है।
Atal Pension Yojana Toll Free Number
- Contact your nearest Post Office/Bank or Call om Toll Free Number: 1800-110-069 or visit https://pfrda.org.in/
- आधिकारिक प्राधिकरण: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
Atal Pension Yojana Closure form pdf
You can download the official Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Account Closure Form directly from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) or the NPS Trust website.
Atal Pension Yojana closure form pdf –APY closure form pdf
Direct Download Links (PDF)
Depending on your situation, choose the relevant form:
- Voluntary Exit (Normal Closure): Use this if you want to close your account yourself.
- Death of Subscriber: Use this if the account is being closed due to the death of the PRAN holder.
How to Submit the Form
- Fill in Details: Enter your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number), name, and the reason for exit.
- Bank Verification: Ensure your linked savings bank account is active. The refund will be credited directly to this account.
- Submission: Visit the bank branch where you opened the APY account and submit the physical signed form to the Branch Manager.
- Processing Time: Once authorized by the bank, funds are typically transferred within a few working days (T+2 or T+3 cycle).
Important Notes on Voluntary Exit
- Refund Policy: If you exit before age 60, you will receive your own contributions plus net interest earned. However, the Government’s co-contribution and its interest will be deducted and not returned.
- Charges: Account maintenance and asset management charges will be deducted from the closing balance.
Conclusion
Atal Pension Yojana is a long-term and safe investment option, specifically designed for those who are outside the formal pension system. Even low-income individuals can secure their future through this scheme. If you start investing early, you can earn a better pension with a lower monthly contribution.
FAQs:
Can I open more than one Atal Pension Yojana account?
No, an individual can only open one APY account. If someone opens more than one account, they may need to close it later.
Can government employees join Atal Pension Yojana?
Yes, government employees can join, but if they are Income Tax payers, they are not considered eligible for this scheme.
Can I change my pension amount (₹1000–₹5000) later?
Yes, you can increase or decrease your pension amount once a year by requesting it from your bank.
What happens if I am unable to pay the premium (contribution) on time?
If you don’t make payments on time:
- A small penalty (₹1–₹10) is applicable.
- Persistent delays may result in the account being frozen or closed.
Is Atal Pension Yojana safe?
Yes, this plan is backed by the Government of India, so it is considered a safe and reliable plan.
Can I exit APY before 60 years?
Withdrawals are generally not permitted before the age of 60.
However, withdrawals are possible under special circumstances such as serious illness or death.
When does pension start getting accrued under APY?
When you reach the age of 60 years, you start receiving the chosen pension amount.
Is it necessary to add a nominee in Atal Pension Yojana?
Yes, it is necessary to add a nominee so that the nominee can get the entire amount after the death of the subscriber and spouse.
Can NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) invest in APY?
No, APY is only for Indian citizens. NRIs cannot avail the benefits of this scheme.
Can I get a loan by investing in APY?
No, APY is a pension scheme, it does not provide loan facility against the deposited amount.
Can both APY and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana be taken together?
Generally, an individual should choose only one pension plan, but the rules depend on eligibility. The objective of both plans is the same.
Is auto-debit necessary in APY?
Yes, monthly contribution to APY is made through auto-debit, hence balance in the bank account is required.
Can I change my bank?
Yes, you can transfer APY account from one bank to another, but there is a process to follow.
For how long does one have to invest in APY?
You have to invest regularly till the age of 60. After that the pension starts.
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Hardik Maurya
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