Last Updated on October 1, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Here is how the NPS Tier 1 Equity Schemes (“E”) have performed since inception. Many mistakenly assume NPS equity schemes are index mutual funds tracking Nifty 50. A look at the scheme portfolios would immediately dispel that myth. The NPS E schemes hold close to 100 stocks.
Getting the historical NAV history of the NPS schemes is an exercise in of itself and I shall detail how painful this with missing links and unhelpful web formats in a video. Kindly note that the following data/analysis is presented only for information. Regular readers may be aware that I am strongly opposed to the NPS. See: Do Not Invest Rs. 50,000 in NPS for additional tax saving benefit in 2019! Also: NPS has EEE (tax-free) Status! Here is why you should still not invest (ps. it is not exactly EEE, but that is how they like to portray it). If anything, these results will add one more reason for you to stay away from NPS!
NPS Tier 1 Equity Scheme Details
Date Source: NPS Trust Date: July 31st 2019
Pension Fund (PF) | Assets (Crores) | Inception Date |
SBI PF | 2,506.03 | 15-May-09 |
LIC PF | 572.55 | 23-Jul-13 |
UTI PF | 386.54 | 21-May-09 |
ICICIPF | 1,395.84 | 18-May-09 |
Reliance PF | 97.87 | 21-May-09 |
Kotak PF | 284.97 | 15-May-09 |
HDFC PF | 2,333.46 | 01-Aug-13 |
Birla PF | 47.83 | 09-May-17 |
Notice that LIC, HDFC and Birla pension funds (PF) are quite new. The AUM here corresponds only to that of individual NPS subscribers. Govt, corporate and NPS lite AUM is held in separate funds.
Join over 32,000 readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email! 🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our robo-advisory tool & courses! 🔥
NPS Tier 1 Equity Scheme Returns (as on 31 July 2019)
The benchmark used by NPS Trust seems to be only the NIfty 50 price index (not including dividends) but even that some NPS E schemes are trouble beating. The difference is a lot more than the expense ratio (which is advertised as lower than normal mutual funds!).
It is high time PFRDA makes NPS mutual fund schemes as plain index schemes!
Five year rolling return performance of NPS Tier 1 E Schemes
Let us now compare every possible five, seven and ten-year returns of these schemes with both Nifty 50 TRI and Nifty 100 TRI.
LIC Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (5Y)
Kotak Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (5Y)
SBI Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (5Y)
UTI Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (5Y)
Seven year rolling return performance of NPS Tier 1 E Schemes
UTI Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (7Y)
SBI Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (7Y)
Kotak Pension Fund Tier 1 Scheme E (7Y)
The performance is neither consistent nor inspiring confidence.
Ten year rolling return performance of NPS Tier 1 E Schemes
Although we have only 116 10-year data points (meaning we are looking at a short investment window), it is not exactly promising. The underperformance is more than that due to expenses. Is it because NPS pension fund managers are not as motivated (incentivised) as AMC fund managers?
Summary
You have seen the 5,7 and 10-year performance of NPS Tier 1 E schemes. Would you invest in such normal mutual funds? Would you lock in your money into such mutual funds just because the pension plan has an equity option and just because you get some extra tax benefit? Even if you want tax benefits, even if you have no choice regarding NPS at the very least choose a mix of G (govt bonds) and C (corporate bonds) and invest in equity elsewhere.
This is the reason, I will never change my NPS Central Government asset allocation of primary gilts with 15% equity. I am more than happy with my 9.69% annualized return since 8th March 2010. Yesterday, I have discussed creating the “ideal” retirement plan with income flooring! My aim is to ensure income flooring with the mandatory 40% annuity that I have to buy.
If the NPS E schemes were plain index funds tracking Nifty 50, there is cause to complain. They clearly are not such index funds. If PFRDA wants them to be active funds then they better use total return benchmarks, monitor performance and pull out fund managers who underperform. It would be better for everyone’s peace of mind if they were simple index funds.
🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our courses, robo-advisory tool and exclusive investor circle! 🔥& join our community of 5000+ users!
Use our Robo-advisory Tool for a start-to-finish financial plan! ⇐ More than 1,000 investors and advisors use this!
New Tool! => Track your mutual funds and stock investments with this Google Sheet!
We also publish monthly equity mutual funds, debt and hybrid mutual funds, index funds and ETF screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
Podcast: Let's Get RICH With PATTU! Every single Indian CAN grow their wealth! You can watch podcast episodes on the OfSpin Media Friends YouTube Channel. 🔥Now Watch Let's Get Rich With Pattu தமிழில் (in Tamil)! 🔥
- Do you have a comment about the above article? Reach out to us on Twitter: @freefincal or @pattufreefincal
- Have a question? Subscribe to our newsletter using the form below.
- Hit 'reply' to any email from us! We do not offer personalized investment advice. We can write a detailed article without mentioning your name if you have a generic question.
Join over 32,000 readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email!
About The Author
Dr M. Pattabiraman(PhD) is the founder, managing editor and primary author of freefincal. He is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has over ten years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development. Connect with him via Twitter(X), Linkedin, or YouTube. Pattabiraman has co-authored three print books: (1) You can be rich too with goal-based investing (CNBC TV18) for DIY investors. (2) Gamechanger for young earners. (3) Chinchu Gets a Superpower! for kids. He has also written seven other free e-books on various money management topics. He is a patron and co-founder of “Fee-only India,” an organisation promoting unbiased, commission-free investment advice.Our flagship course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! ⇐ More than 3,000 investors and advisors are part of our exclusive community! Get clarity on how to plan for your goals and achieve the necessary corpus no matter the market condition is!! Watch the first lecture for free! One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.
Our new course! Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! ⇐ More than 700 salaried employees, entrepreneurs and financial advisors are part of our exclusive community! Learn how to get people to pay for your skills! Whether you are a professional or small business owner who wants more clients via online visibility or a salaried person wanting a side income or passive income, we will show you how to achieve this by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you! (watch 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos!
Our new book for kids: “Chinchu Gets a Superpower!” is now available! Most investor problems can be traced to a lack of informed decision-making. We made bad decisions and money mistakes when we started earning and spent years undoing these mistakes. Why should our children go through the same pain? What is this book about? As parents, what would it be if we had to groom one ability in our children that is key not only to money management and investing but to any aspect of life? My answer: Sound Decision Making. So, in this book, we meet Chinchu, who is about to turn 10. What he wants for his birthday and how his parents plan for it, as well as teaching him several key ideas of decision-making and money management, is the narrative. What readers say!
Must-read book even for adults! This is something that every parent should teach their kids right from their young age. The importance of money management and decision making based on their wants and needs. Very nicely written in simple terms. - Arun.Buy the book: Chinchu gets a superpower for your child!
How to profit from content writing: Our new ebook is for those interested in getting side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!
Do you want to check if the market is overvalued or undervalued? Use our market valuation tool (it will work with any index!), or get the Tactical Buy/Sell timing tool!
We publish monthly mutual fund screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
About freefincal & its content policy. Freefincal is a News Media Organization dedicated to providing original analysis, reports, reviews and insights on mutual funds, stocks, investing, retirement and personal finance developments. We do so without conflict of interest and bias. Follow us on Google News. Freefincal serves more than three million readers a year (5 million page views) with articles based only on factual information and detailed analysis by its authors. All statements made will be verified with credible and knowledgeable sources before publication. Freefincal does not publish paid articles, promotions, PR, satire or opinions without data. All opinions will be inferences backed by verifiable, reproducible evidence/data. Contact information: letters {at} freefincal {dot} com (sponsored posts or paid collaborations will not be entertained)
Connect with us on social media
- Twitter @freefincal
- Subscribe to our YouTube Videos
- Posts feed via Feedburner.
Our publications
You Can Be Rich Too with Goal-Based Investing
Published by CNBC TV18, this book is meant to help you ask the right questions and seek the correct answers, and since it comes with nine online calculators, you can also create custom solutions for your lifestyle! Get it now.Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want This book is meant for young earners to get their basics right from day one! It will also help you travel to exotic places at a low cost! Get it or gift it to a young earner.
Your Ultimate Guide to Travel
This is an in-depth dive into vacation planning, finding cheap flights, budget accommodation, what to do when travelling, and how travelling slowly is better financially and psychologically, with links to the web pages and hand-holding at every step. Get the pdf for Rs 300 (instant download)