Cabinet clears pension scheme for senior citizens with 8% return

Cabinet on Tuesday approved a pension scheme for senior citizens under which insurance behemoth LIC will provide a guaranteed return of 8 per cent for 10 years, as part of government's social security and financial inclusion programme.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its post-facto approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY 2017), an official statement said.

"The scheme will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8 per cent per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly/ quarterly/half yearly and annual basis," it said.

The scheme will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in the current financial year to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.

The differential return — the difference between the return generated by state-owned LIC and the assured return of 8 per cent per annum would be borne by the government as subsidy on an annual basis.

VPBY-2017 is proposed to be open for subscription for a period of one year from the date of launch, the statement said.

The pension scheme, the release said is a part of government's commitment for financial inclusion and social security.