PFRDA lists norms to protect pensioners' NAV from market turmoil

In a circular PFRDA, also said the interest accrued will be credited to the subscriber accounts on annual basis

Investments of National Pension System (NPS) subscribers that have not been withdrawn upon superannuation will be monitised automatically and parked in separate accounts to safeguard the pensioners' corpus from market fluctuations.

Pension funds invest contribution of NPS subscribers as per the guidelines prescribed by regulator Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Subscribers have the option to choose investment instruments as well as their pension fund manager.

In a circular PFRDA, while detailing norms for monitisation of units, also said the interest accrued will be credited to the subscriber accounts on annual basis.

In case withdrawal application is not received from the subscriber within one month from the date of superannuation or attainment of 60 years, the Central Record-keeping Agency (CRA) system will automatically initiate a process of monetisation of units held in account of the subscribers on the last business day of the month. National Securities Depository Limited  is the CRA.

"This involves instructions from CRA to Pension Fund Manager on monetising the entire accumulated pension wealth of the subscriber and moving into a separate withdrawals bank account held with Trustee Bank by NPS Trust. By this the NAV (Net Asset Value) is safeguarded to the extent possible," PFRDA said. Axis Bank is the Trustee Bank under NPS.

The regulator further said nodal officer concerned and subscriber would be informed of the monetisation. The subscriber would be then asked to go for withdrawal.

As per the norms, CRA initiates withdrawal process six months prior to his or her attaining the age of 60 or normal age of superannuation by suo motto registration of claim and allotment of a specific claim number.

CRA sends a reminder after three months through a system generated auto communication followed by monthly reminder till the application form is submitted by the subscriber.

At the time of normal exit from NPS, subscribers may use the accumulated pension wealth under the scheme to purchase a life annuity from a PFRDA empanelled life insurance company apart from withdrawing a part of the accumulated pension wealth as lump-sum, if they choose so.