PFRDA Plans New Post-Retirement Products to Outperform Annuities Under NPS

• PFRDA aims to introduce new post-retirement income products to surpass conventional annuities while maintaining double-digit NPS returns.
• The regulator is evaluating structured, fixed-period payout models instead of traditional life-only income streams.
• Proposed Minimum Assured Return Scheme could offer predictable returns for risk-averse investors, with sponsors absorbing shortfalls.
• PFRDA is adopting a digital-first strategy for wider participation, targeting self-employed and informal workers via UPI apps and platform partnerships.
• New reforms include the NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme, allowing participation until age 85, and lowering mandatory annuity purchase to 20% for voluntary subscribers.