| Criteria | = National Pension Scheme (Tier I) | = Public Provident Fund | = Mutual Fund Retirement Fund |
| Account Holder | Individuals | Individuals | Individuals |
| Eligibility | 18-70 years | Any Resident Indian | Above the age of 18 |
| Where can you invest? | Authorized Points of Presence (PoPs), i.e., almost all banks
and several other |
At banks or the Post office, including their online portals |
Any MF Disptributor / RIA / Online platforms |
| Number of Accounts | Only one account per person | Only one account per person | No restriction |
| Rate of returns | Market-linked Returns | As per Government declarations | Market-linked Returns |
| Limitation on contributions | No limits | Rs. 1.5 lakh per FY | No limits |
| Minimum Investment | Per contribution - Rs. 500 Per Financial Year - Rs. 1,000 | Rs 500/- per FY | First purchase - Rs. 100, and any amount thereafter Addition= al purchase - Rs. 100, and any amount thereafter |
| Penalties for discontinuing inves | Account will be frozen. For unfreezing, pay minimum required amount | Account shall be frozen, penalty of Rs. 50 for each defaulted year for reactivation |
No |
| Nature of holding | Financial | Financial | Financial |
| Storage and safety risk | Low | Low | Low |
| Maturity Tenure | Attainment of age 60 | After 15 Years | No limits |
| Lock-in | Until the subscriber reaches the age of 60 years | years ex year of account opening |
5 years or till the attainment of age 60, whichever is earli= er |
| Withdrawal restrictions | Partial withdrawal up to 25% after 3 years of account opening is permitted f like child`s marriage, higher education, treatment of critical illnesses for self, spouse or parents, buying home etc. |
1 withdrawal during ft ve years excluding year of account opening Amount of withdrawal can be taken up to 50% of balance at the credit at= the end of 4th preceding year or at the end of preceding year, whichever is lower. |
None, post lock-in |
| Tax Benefit | A maximum deduction from taxable income of up to Rs. 2 lakh = u/s 80CCD (1) and 80CCD (1b) |
A maximum deduction from taxable income of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh u/s 80C | 80C, providing a maximum deduction from taxable income of up= to Rs. 1.5 lakh (only select funds have this benefit) |
| Taxation on withdrawal/ redem | Lump sum withdrawal: Up to 60% is exempt from tax | Both interest earned and amount withdrawn at maturity are ex= empt from tax | Capital gains applicable to sale of equity/debt oriented mut= ual funds, depending on the plan invested in |
| Tax & Annuties | Annuity income: Taxed every year according to Income Tax sla= bs | Partial withdrawal is also tax Free | SWP can be activated & Capital gain will be charged as p= er MF Rules |
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