How to Monitor and Track Your NPS Account Investments?

The National Pension System (NPS) is a popular retirement savings scheme in India, offering individuals a robust platform to build a retirement corpus. Once you’ve completed the NPS account opening process, keeping a close eye on your investments becomes crucial to ensure they perform as expected. This guide explores practical ways to monitor and track your NPS account investments, ensuring you stay on top of your retirement planning.

Why Monitoring Your NPS Account is Essential?

Monitoring your NPS investments is vital for several reasons:

• Performance Review: Regularly tracking your investments helps assess their performance against your financial goals.
• Portfolio Rebalancing: Keeping an eye on your investments allows you to rebalance your portfolio if required.
• Contribution Check: Ensuring that your contributions are correctly credited helps maintain a steady growth in your retirement corpus.
• Tax Benefits Tracking: Monitoring your investments lets you track the tax benefits associated with NPS contributions.

Steps to Monitor and Track Your NPS Account

Accessing Your NPS Account Online

One of the most straightforward ways to monitor your NPS account is by accessing it online. After applying for NPS online, you can log into your account through the official NPS Trust website or via the CRA (Central Recordkeeping Agency) portal. Here’s how you can do it:

• Visit the official NPS Trust website or the CRA portal.
• Log in using your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) and password.
• Once logged in, you can view your account summary, transaction history, and other relevant details.

Checking Account Statements

Your NPS account statements provide a detailed summary of your contributions, returns, and current corpus. You can download these statements from the CRA portal or receive them via email:

• Log into your NPS account.
• Navigate to the ‘Transaction Statement’ section.
• Select the desired date range and download your statement.

These statements clearly show your investment’s performance over a specified period.

Using the NPS Mobile App

The NPS Trust has developed a mobile app that makes it easier to monitor your investments on the go. The app is user-friendly and offers features such as:

• Viewing account details
• Checking recent contributions
• Downloading account statements
• Changing investment schemes or fund managers

This mobile app ensures you can track your NPS investments anytime, anywhere.

Monitoring Fund Performance

NPS allows you to invest in asset classes such as equity, government, and corporate bonds. Each of these assets has its own risk and return profile. To ensure that your investments are performing well:

• Review the performance of the funds you’ve invested in.
• Compare the returns of these funds with benchmark indices.
• Rebalance your portfolio, if necessary, by switching between funds or changing your asset allocation.

Regular Updates via Email and SMS

After completing the NPS account opening process, you’ll receive regular updates via email and SMS. These updates include information about your contributions, fund value, and any changes in the system. Make sure to keep your contact details up-to-date to continue receiving these notifications.

Utilising Online Tools and Calculators

Various online tools and calculators help you track your NPS investments effectively. These tools can provide projections of your corpus based on different contribution scenarios and expected returns:

• NPS Calculator: This tool helps you estimate the potential retirement corpus based on your current contributions and expected returns.
• Portfolio Trackers: These tools allow you to input your NPS account details and track the performance of your investments.

Critical Tips for Effective Monitoring

• Set Regular Checkpoints: Make it a habit to check your NPS account at least once every quarter.
• Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated with any changes in NPS policies or fund manager performances.
• Consult a Financial Advisor: If you’re unsure about your investment choices, consulting a financial advisor can help you make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Monitoring and tracking your NPS account investments is crucial for ensuring your retirement planning stays on course. You can closely monitor your investments by leveraging online tools, the NPS mobile app, and regular account statements. Whether you’re just beginning with the NPS online apply process, or you’ve been investing for years, consistent monitoring will help you make the most of your NPS account.