Pension rules, charges and 2026 changes
How EPF, EPS, NPS, UPS, PPF and SCSS work in 2026, what they cost and which rules changed in 2025–26.
pension calculator India
Pension calculator and retirement guides for India, 2026
Work out what your EPF, EPS, NPS or UPS could pay you, check the rules that changed in 2025 and 2026, and know where to complain when a claim gets stuck.
- EPS and NPS pension estimates with every step of the arithmetic shown
- The 2025 NPS exit rules, the new EPF and EPS schemes of 2026 and the ₹25,000 wage ceiling
- Grievance routes for EPFO, NPS, banks, post offices and insurers
Explore by topic
Pension calculations and checklists
Worked examples for your EPF corpus, EPS pension, NPS annuity, APY, NPS Vatsalya and a retirement income plan.
Mistakes, grievances and official sources
Claim rejections, UAN and transfer errors, common pension mistakes, and how to complain to EPFO, PFRDA and others.
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Mistakes, grievances and official sources
Common pension and retirement mistakes in India — and how to avoid or fix them
The EPF, EPS, NPS and annuity mistakes that most often cost Indians money or months of delay, with what to do instead and where to go when something has already gone wrong.
Pension calculations and checklists
EPS pension calculation with examples — formula, ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 ceilings, early pension
Calculate your EPS pension step by step: pensionable salary, service, the two-year bonus, early pension cuts, short service and how the new ₹25,000 ceiling may change results.
Pension rules, charges and 2026 changes
Retirement and pension schemes in India in 2026 — EPF, EPS, NPS, UPS, PPF and more
Which pension schemes apply to you in 2026, how each one pays out, and the rule changes of 2025–26 you should know before you plan retirement income.
Pension rules, charges and 2026 changes
NPS exit and withdrawal rules after the December 2025 amendment — 80% lump sum, 20% annuity
The new NPS exit rules explained: normal exit, premature exit, corpus slabs of ₹5, ₹8 and ₹12 lakh, government vs private subscribers, partial withdrawals and deferral to 85.
Mistakes, grievances and official sources
Official pension sources in India — where to check EPF, EPS, NPS, UPS, APY, PPF and SCSS rules
The official websites, regulators and laws behind India's pension schemes, what each one is the authority for, and how to check a rule or rate before you rely on it.
Pension calculations and checklists
How much retirement corpus do you need in India? Step-by-step calculation with examples
Work out your retirement corpus in rupees: inflate today's expenses, subtract pensions, size the corpus, and compare with what EPF, NPS and PPF will give you.
Tools
EPF, NPS and PPF Retirement Corpus Calculator
Project what your monthly EPF, NPS or PPF contributions could grow to by retirement at an interest rate or return you choose.
Annuity Pension Calculator (NPS and Pension Plans)
Estimate the yearly pension a lump sum could buy at an annuity rate you enter, and the monthly figure it implies.
NPS Charges Calculator
See what an annual percentage charge and fixed yearly fees cost on your NPS or pension corpus in rupees.
Retirement and Pension Readiness Checklist
Check UAN, KYC, nominees, scheme choices and claim documents before you retire or change jobs.
India's retirement schemes compared, 2026
| Scheme | Who it is for | How the money grows | At retirement or exit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) | Employees of covered establishments; mandatory up to the wage ceiling (₹25,000 a month from 17 September 2026) | 12% from employee and employer (part of the employer's share goes to EPS); interest declared yearly (8.25% for 2025-26) | Full balance at retirement; partial withdrawals during service under the simplified 2025 rules | Withdrawing at every job change; second UAN; mismatched KYC |
| EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme) | EPF members; employer pays 8.33% of wages up to the ceiling | Not an account balance: a defined pension based on service and pensionable salary | Monthly pension from 58 with 10+ years of service; reduced early pension from 50 | Withdrawing the EPS share ends pension rights for that service; minimum pension is ₹1,000 |
| NPS Tier I | Any citizen aged 18–85 (All Citizen Model), corporate employees, government staff | Market-linked: equity, corporate bonds, government securities; choice of fund manager | Non-government, corpus above ₹12 lakh: up to 80% lump sum, at least 20% annuity (2025 rules) | Strict premature-exit rules; returns not guaranteed |
| NPS Tier II | Tier I holders who want a flexible add-on | Same funds as Tier I | Withdraw any time; no annuity requirement | Not a pension lock-in; tax treatment differs from Tier I |
Frequently asked questions
How is the EPS pension calculated?
Monthly pension = pensionable salary × pensionable service ÷ 70. Pensionable salary is the average of the last 60 months' wages on which EPS contributions were paid, within the wage ceiling. You need at least 10 years of service, and the minimum pension is ₹1,000 a month. See the EPS calculation example.
What is the EPF interest rate for 2025-26?
8.25%, the same as in 2023-24 and 2024-25. The Central Board of Trustees recommended it in March 2026 and the government ratified it in June 2026. The rate for 2026-27 will be declared in 2027.
Has the EPF wage ceiling changed?
Yes. The Union Cabinet approved raising the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month, effective from 17 September 2026 (PIB release of 16 September 2026). That raises the mandatory 12% contribution to up to ₹3,000 a month each from employee and employer. Check EPFO circulars for how the new ceiling applies to EPS and to past service.
How much of my NPS can I take as a lump sum now?
Under the exit rules amended in December 2025, a non-government subscriber exiting normally with a corpus above ₹12 lakh can take up to 80% as a lump sum and must annuitise at least 20%. Up to ₹8 lakh can be withdrawn in full. Government subscribers keep the 60:40 split. Tax rules for the part above 60% should be checked before you exit.
Can I still join the Unified Pension Scheme?
UPS is for central government employees covered by NPS. Existing employees had to opt in by 30 November 2025 after two extensions. New entrants have their own option window when they join service. Check with your department or the PFRDA and Department of Expenditure notices.
Is PMVVY still available for senior citizens?
No. PMVVY closed to new subscribers on 31 March 2023. Existing policies continue to pay pension for their 10-year term. Seniors now usually compare SCSS, annuities and bank or post office deposits.
Where do I complain if my EPF or NPS claim is stuck?
For EPF, use the EPFiGMS portal and then escalate to the regional office or CPGRAMS. For NPS, raise a grievance through the CGMS of your central recordkeeping agency, then escalate to NPS Trust and PFRDA. See the EPFO grievance guide and the NPS grievance guide.
Is this site financial advice?
No. It is general information to help you understand the schemes and check your own numbers. Returns in examples are illustrative. For decisions about large lump sums, annuities or tax, speak to a SEBI-registered investment adviser, a chartered accountant or your scheme's official helpline.
How this site is made
Nivritti Nidhi is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.