NPS is for everyone - not just government officials | Mint

In Dinging 2 from “NPS Made Simple”, Subhazis Ghosh, CEO of Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund, removes a longtime myth: that the national pension system is only for employees or corporate professionals. In a conversation with Mint, he explains why freelancers, actions, NRIs, and even those who have to open an NPS account on career interruptions. Q: Priya is 32, a freelance content creator. Does NPS work for her with no solid employer or PF? Absolutely. Priya needs it more than someone in a corporate work with EPF benefits. Freelancers must take ownership of their financial future, and NPS gives them a structured way of doing so, from just £ 1,000 a year. Question: But what happens if someone can’t invest regularly because of varying income? This is where NPS offers real flexibility. You can invest any amount at any time. If you miss a year, you can reactivate your account later by contributing to the missed years. It is forgiving, but encourages discipline. Q: Can NRIS invest in NPs as well? Yes. NRIs can open and contribute to NPS accounts. This is a great way for them to invest in Indian markets and build a pension corpus in INR, especially if there is a chance to return to India later in life. Q: What if someone changes work or moves abroad? Do not close your NPS account. Once you have gone out, you can’t rejoin. Even if you move overseas, keep your account active with the minimum contribution. You never know where life can bring you back. Q: What about women taking career interruptions? Can they keep investing? Certainly. I encourage them to continue to make a contribution on everything they can during that period. Just like exercise, once you break the habit, it’s harder to return. Even a small contribution keeps the account active – and the compound engine runs. Question: But for someone already investing in mutual funds or shares, is NPS still relevant? Yes. Think of NPs as your balanced thali. Equity investments are great, but with NPs you get the benefit of professional fund management, tax cuts and long -term pension structure. It is not either/or – it is part of a healthy portfolio. Decrease: You do not need a corporate ID or a government badge to plan for retirement. As Ghosh says, “NPs are inclusive. Freelancers, NRIs, women on Sabbath year – each deserves retirement with dignity.” Now look at episode 2 and discover why NPS is the most inclusive retirement instrument that India has. [Link to Episode] Note for the reader: This article is part of Mint’s Paid Consumer Connect initiative and is created independently by the brand. Mint does not accept editorial responsibility for the content, including the accuracy, completeness or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. First Published: April 26, 2025, 23:32 IST