PFRDA

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has set up a dedicated panel to evaluate the feasibility of offering assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS). The move aims to enhance retirement security by providing predictable, guaranteed income streams for subscribers alongside market-linked returns. The panel will examine actuarial, regulatory, and operational considerations to balance risk management with subscriber benefits.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has unveiled a draft framework that seeks to recalibrate how retirement savings are accumulated and managed in India. Emphasising systematic wealth building rather than only lump-sum accumulation, the proposed architecture introduces fresh mechanisms for portfolio design, flexible funding options, and enhanced accountability of pension intermediaries. The initiative reflects the regulator’s growing focus on long-term income security and its recognition of shifting demographic, economic and market dynamics.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced plans to extend the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (SVANidhi) scheme. This initiative aims to integrate informal sector workers, particularly street vendors, into India’s formal pension system, providing them with financial security in retirement. By linking SVANidhi recipients with APY, the government seeks to enhance social protection, promote long-term savings, and encourage disciplined investment habits among micro-entrepreneurs.

Sivasubramanian Ramann has officially assumed charge as the new Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Appointed by the Government of India for a five-year term, Ramann brings with him over three decades of public sector leadership experience spanning financial regulation, e-governance, and institutional development. His prior roles include senior positions at SEBI, SIDBI, and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) recently held a strategy review and felicitation event to recognize outstanding contributions by banks and financial institutions to the growth of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY). In FY 2024-25, the scheme saw an 18% increase in new enrollments, with over 1.17 crore new subscribers, pushing total coverage to 7.61 crore. The event highlighted the significant role played by public sector and regional rural banks, particularly from the South Zone, in expanding the scheme, which offers guaranteed pensions to millions of Indians.