EPF vs NPS Calculator 2025

Compare Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and National Pension System (NPS) to make the best retirement planning decision

Your Details

30 years
60 years
₹50,000
8%

Years to Retirement: 30 years

EPF

Employee Provident Fund

Total Corpus

₹2,94,24,253

Monthly Pension (EPS)

₹67,975

Total Tax Savings

₹12,12,910

Your Contribution

₹81,56,391

Employer Contribution

₹29,44,316

NPS

National Pension System

Total Corpus

₹4,87,52,520

Monthly Pension

₹97,505

Total Tax Savings

₹34,24,935

Lumpsum (60%)

₹2,92,51,512

Annuity (40%)

₹1,95,01,008

Recommendation: NPS

  • NPS offers 20%+ higher retirement corpus
  • NPS provides significantly better tax benefits (up to ₹2L vs ₹1.5L)
  • NPS provides substantial lumpsum (60% of corpus) at retirement
  • NPS offers better potential for higher returns and tax savings

Investment & Returns Analysis

EPF

Total Investment1,11,00,708
Total Returns2,94,24,253
Net Gain1,83,23,546
ROI165.1%

Monthly Contribution (Year 1)

Your Part:6,000
Employer Part:3,085

NPS

Total Investment1,35,93,985
Total Returns4,87,52,520
Net Gain3,51,58,534
ROI258.6%

Monthly Contribution (Year 1)

Your Part:5,000
Employer Part:5,000

Tax Optimization Strategy

NPS offers superior tax benefits with up to ₹2L annual deduction (₹1.5L under 80CCD(1) + ₹50K under 80CCD(1B)) compared to EPF's ₹1.5L limit under Section 80C.

NPS gives you 22,12,025 more in tax savings over your working years

Why NPS Might Be Better For You

  • Higher potential returns through equity exposure (up to 75%)
  • Better tax benefits - ₹50K additional deduction under 80CCD(1B)
  • Substantial lumpsum (60%) at retirement for financial flexibility

Note: Market-linked returns involve risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future returns.

Smart Strategy: Diversify With Both

Most financial experts recommend having both EPF and NPS for optimal retirement planning. EPF provides stability with guaranteed returns, while NPS offers growth potential and better tax benefits.

Combined retirement corpus: 7,81,76,773

Detailed Comparison

EPF
NPS
Contribution
12% employee + 12% employer (3.67% EPF + 8.33% EPS)
10% employee + 10% employer (flexible)
Expected Returns
8.25% (guaranteed, govt-backed)
10% average (market-linked, variable)
Risk Level
Very Low - Government guaranteed
Medium - Market-linked returns
Liquidity
Up to 100% partial withdrawal allowed (25% minimum balance must remain)
Locked until 60, only 25% early withdrawal
Tax Benefits
Up to ₹1.5L under Section 80C
Up to ₹2L (₹1.5L + ₹50K extra) + employer contribution
Withdrawal at Retirement
100% tax-free lumpsum
60% lumpsum + 40% mandatory annuity
Pension Amount
EPS: Fixed based on service years
Depends on annuity rates and corpus
Best Suited For
Risk-averse, salaried employees seeking stability
Young investors seeking higher returns, additional tax benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I invest in both EPF and NPS?

Yes! In fact, investing in both is often recommended for diversification. EPF is mandatory if you're salaried, and you can additionally invest in NPS for higher tax benefits and potential returns.

Which gives better tax savings?

NPS offers better tax benefits. You can claim deductions under 80CCD(1) up to ₹1.5L, additional 80CCD(1B) of ₹50K, plus employer contributions under 80CCD(2). EPF only offers 80C deduction up to ₹1.5L.

Is EPF or NPS better for retirement?

It depends on your risk appetite and age. EPF is safer with guaranteed returns, ideal for those close to retirement. NPS offers higher potential returns but with market risk, better for younger investors. Most experts recommend having both.

Can I withdraw EPF and NPS before retirement?

EPF allows partial withdrawals for specific purposes (home loan, medical emergencies, etc.) and full withdrawal after 2 months of unemployment. NPS has strict withdrawal rules - only 25% can be withdrawn before retirement (for specific needs), and 60% at retirement, with 40% mandatorily used for annuity.

What is the EPS pension in EPF?

Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) is part of EPF where 8.33% of employer contribution goes to pension fund. You get a monthly pension after retirement based on your pensionable salary and years of service. The formula is: (Pensionable Salary × Years of Service) / 70.

EPF vs NPS Calculator 2025 | Which Pension Scheme is Better for Retirement? | YojanaCalc