Archive · 25 Sep 2026
NPS Swasthya to Combine Pension Savings With Health Cover
NPS Swasthya is a new option that joins retirement saving with health insurance.
It is expected to begin on 1 October 2026.
People who can join NPS may be able to choose it.
Their money will go into a separate Swasthya investment account.
They will also receive a super top-up insurance policy.
The insurance can help after medical costs pass a chosen deductible.
The policy can cover the subscriber, spouse and up to two dependent children.
Subscribers can also use part of their Swasthya savings for eligible medical bills.
If there is not enough money for insurance renewal, the cover may end and the account may move to another NPS scheme.
NPS Swasthya is expected to launch on 1 October 2026, NPS Diwas.
The scheme combines a separate pension investment account with mandatory super top-up health insurance.
Coverage includes the subscriber, spouse and up to two dependent children, but not parents.
Four deductible and coverage options range from ₹10,000 deductible with ₹1 lakh cover to ₹3 lakh deductible with ₹30 lakh cover.
Subscribers may withdraw up to 25% of their Swasthya contributions for eligible healthcare expenses, subject to scheme rules.
- Who
- Eligible National Pension System subscribers; the scheme is expected to be launched by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- What
- NPS Swasthya, a pension option combining a separate investment account with mandatory super top-up health insurance.
- When
- The operational guidelines were issued on 18 September, and the scheme is expected to launch on 1 October 2026.
- Why
- To provide retirement savings alongside healthcare benefits and support eligible medical expenses.
- Expected launch
- 1 October 2026, NPS Diwas
- Regulator
- Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
- Eligible members
- Individuals eligible to join NPS, subject to scheme conditions
- Family coverage
- Subscriber, spouse and up to two dependent children; parents are excluded
- Insurance entry age
- 18 to 70 years; renewal can continue up to and including age 85
- Coverage options
- ₹1 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh or ₹30 lakh, with corresponding deductibles of ₹10,000, ₹50,000, ₹1 lakh or ₹3 lakh
- Healthcare withdrawal limit
- Up to 25% of contributions made to the NPS Swasthya account