Government Scheme: Over 8 crore people across India have enrolled in the Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
According to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), around 39 lakh new people have joined the scheme so far in 2025.
This government scheme guarantees a lifetime pension of up to Rs 60,000 per year after retirement.
What Is the Atal Pension Yojana (APY)?
Launched on 9 May 2015 and implemented from 1 June 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana is aimed at giving financial security to unorganized sector workers after retirement.
Any Indian citizen aged 18 to 40 years can join this scheme. From the age of 60, subscribers receive a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.
Key Features of APY
Minimum investment period: 20 years
Eligibility: Only for people who do not pay income tax (rule in effect since 1 October 2022)
Contribution options: Monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly through auto-debit from a bank or post office account
Pension amount: Depends on the age of joining and the amount contributed
Managed by: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
How Much Do You Need to Invest?
The amount you invest monthly depends on your age and the pension you want after 60. Here’s how much you pay monthly for a pension of Rs 1,000 per month:
At age 19: Rs 46
At age 24: Rs 70
At age 29: Rs 106
At age 34: Rs 165
At age 39: Rs 264
These contributions continue until the subscriber turns 60 years old.
By the time the subscriber reaches 60, a corpus of about Rs 1.7 lakh is created.
What Happens After Retirement or Death?
After turning 60, the subscriber receives a monthly pension.
If the subscriber dies, the spouse continues to receive the same pension.
After both the subscriber and spouse pass away, the entire amount is given to the nominee.
What If a Payment Is Missed?
If there’s no balance in the account and a payment is missed, a penalty of Rs 1 per Rs 100 is charged monthly.
Today, Atal Pension Yojana is considered a reliable social security option for millions of workers in the unorganized sector of India.
