A provident fund is an important retirement savings scheme that provides financial security to employees. It is a type of investment that requires an employee to set aside a portion of their salary in a fund, which they can use to meet their financial needs after retirement. There are different types of provident funds, and different organizations manage them, including the government and private sector.
Understanding the various types of provident funds and how they work can be a bit overwhelming. But this guide will help break down the information and provide you with a clear understanding of everything you need to know.
What Is a Provident Fund?
A provident fund is a retirement savings scheme that provides financial security to employees. It is a type of investment plan that helps employees to accumulate savings throughout their working life to meet their financial needs after retirement. A provident fund is a popular employee benefit that various organizations offer. The government regulates it.
Definition of provident fund
A provident fund is an investment fund that helps save for retirement. Under this scheme, a portion of the employee’s salary is contributed towards the fund, which is then invested in various financial instruments. The accumulated amount, along with the interest earned, is provided to the employee after retirement.
How provident fund works
A provident fund works by deducting a certain percentage of the employee’s salary every month and contributing it towards the fund. Both the employee and the employer make a contribution. The employee’s contribution is deducted from the salary, and the employer’s contribution is added to it. You then invest the accumulated amount in various financial instruments such as bonds, equities, and government securities.
There are different types of provident funds, such as-
- Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
- Public Provident Fund (PPF)
- Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)
- Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)
Each type of provident fund has its own features, eligibility criteria, and benefits.
Overall, a provident fund is an excellent retirement savings scheme that provides financial security to employees. It helps them to accumulate savings throughout their working life, which they can use to meet their financial needs after retirement. The scheme also provides various tax benefits, making it an attractive investment option for employees.
Different Types of Provident Fund
Let’s take a closer look at each of these types of provident funds:
1. Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a mandatory savings scheme for salaried employees in India. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) administers it, which is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Under this scheme, both the employee and employer contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary towards the EPF account. The interest rate on the EPF is determined by the government and is currently at 8.5% per annum.
2. Public Provident Fund (PPF)
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term savings scheme initiated by the government of India. It is open to all Indian residents and is considered to be one of the safest investment options. Under this scheme, an individual can contribute up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year for a period of 15 years. The interest rate on PPF is determined by the government and is currently at 7.1% per annum.
3. Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)
The Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) is an extension of the EPF scheme, but unlike the EPF, VPF is not mandatory. It is an additional savings scheme that allows employees to contribute more than the mandatory 12% of their basic salary towards their EPF account. The contribution limit for VPF is up to 100% of the basic salary, and the interest rate is the same as the EPF.
4. Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)
The Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) is a pension scheme for salaried employees who are members of the EPF. Under this scheme, the employer contributes 8.33% of the employee’s basic salary toward the employee’s pension account. The scheme provides a pension to the employee after retirement or in case of disability. The amount of pension is calculated based on the employee’s years of service and the average salary of the last 12 months of service.
Benefits of Provident Fund
Provident fund enables employees to save for their post-retirement life. It has several benefits that make it a popular investment option among employees. Some of them are listed below:
1. Retirement planning
Retirement planning is the most significant benefit of a provident fund. It enables an individual to save for their post-retirement life, ensuring that they have enough funds to meet their daily expenses and maintain their standard of living. Provident fund is a long-term investment plan that requires regular contributions from the employee and the employer. The accumulated amount, along with the interest earned, can be withdrawn at the time of retirement.
2. Tax benefits
Provident fund offers tax benefits to the employee. The amount contributed by the employee towards the provident fund is eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The employer’s contribution is also tax-free up to a certain limit. The interest earned on the provident fund is tax-free.
3. Financial security
Provident fund provides financial security to the employee. The accumulated amount can be withdrawn in case of emergencies. For instance, you can withdraw the amount during a medical emergency or to pay for college fees, etc. It acts as a safety net and provides a cushion during difficult times.
How to Open a Provident Fund Account
If you are interested in opening a Provident Fund account, here are the steps you need to follow:
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to open a Provident Fund account, you must meet the following criteria:
- Employee Provident Fund (EPF): If you are a salaried employee working for an organization that has more than 20 employees, you are eligible to open an EPF account. Both the employer and employee contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary, including dearness allowance, towards the EPF account.
- Public Provident Fund (PPF): Any Indian citizen can open a PPF account. This includes salaried employees, self-employed individuals, and even minors. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible to open a PPF account.
- Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF): Only salaried employees who have an EPF account can open a VPF account. The employee can voluntarily contribute up to 100% of their basic salary and dearness allowance towards their VPF account.
- Employee Pension Scheme (EPS): If you are a member of the EPF scheme, you are automatically enrolled in the EPS. The employer contributes 8.33% of the employee’s basic salary towards the EPS account, and the employee does not have to make any contributions towards it.
Required documents
To open a provident fund account, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Employee Provident Fund (EPF): You will need to submit your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank account details to your employer, who will then create your EPF account.
- Public Provident Fund (PPF): You will need to submit a copy of your PAN card, address proof, and ID proof (Aadhaar card, passport, or driving license) to the bank or post office where you want to open the PPF account.
- Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF): You will need to fill out a VPF nomination form and submit it to your employer along with your bank account details.
- Employee Pension Scheme (EPS): No additional documents are required to open an EPS account as it is automatically created when you open an EPF account.
Once you have submitted all the required documents and your account is created, you can start making contributions towards your Provident Fund account.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a provident fund is an important retirement savings scheme that provides financial security to employees post retirement. The different types of provident funds, such as EPF, PPF, VPF, and EPS, have their own unique features and benefits. By contributing to a provident fund, employees can plan for their retirement, enjoy tax benefits, and secure their financial future.
Opening a provident fund account is a simple process, and employees should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and have the required documents before applying.
Overall, a provident fund is a valuable employee benefit that should not be overlooked. It is an excellent way to save for retirement and provide financial security for employees and their families.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between EPF and PPF?
EPF is a retirement savings scheme for employees in India, while PPF is a savings scheme for all Indian citizens. Both offer tax benefits, but EPF is managed by employers, while PPF is self-managed.
2. How much can an employee contribute to VPF?
An employee can contribute up to 100% of their basic salary and dearness allowance to the Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) account, subject to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 lakh per year.
3. What are the eligibility criteria for EPS?
Eligibility for the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) depends on the employee’s age and the number of years they have contributed to the EPF. An employee must have at least 10 years of service to be eligible.
4. How to check the balance of a provident fund account?
Provident fund account balance can be checked by logging in to the EPFO member portal or via the Umang app. One can also check their balance by giving a missed call to a toll-free number – 011-22901406
5. What is the interest rate for provident fund accounts?
The current interest rate for Provident Fund accounts is 8.5% per annum. The interest rate is revised annually and is set by the government based on market conditions and other factors.
