Varishta Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) Launched; to Benefit Senior Citizens Aged 60 Years and Above

The Government has revived the Varishta Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) scheme for the benefit of senior citizens aged 60 years and above. The scheme is being administered through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and will remain open for a period of one year from 15^th August, 2014 to 14^th August, 2015. 

            Under the scheme, all those who will subscribe to the VPBY during this period, will receive a pension linked to an assured guaranteed return of 9% on the lump sum contribution under the Yojana. The Salient features of the scheme are as under: 

• The scheme provides pension in the form of immediate annuity during the lifetime of the pensioner with return of purchase price to the family/nominee on his/her death.
• The mode of payment of pension can be monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly.
• The pension payment shall be through ECS or NEFT.
• The minimum pension that can be subscribed to will be ₹ 500/- per month, ₹ 1500/- per quarter, ₹ 3000/- per half-year or ₹ 6000/- per year.
• The maximum pension that can be subscribed to will be ₹ 5,000/- per month, ₹ 15,000/- per quarter, ₹ 30,000/- per half-year or ₹ 60,000/- per year.
• A lump sum purchase price for the desired pension shall be paid by the subscriber under the scheme. The minimum and maximum purchase price for different modes of pension corresponding to the maximum/minimum pensions given above will be a under:

The scheme has been revived for a period of one year only i.e., from 15^th August, 2014 to 14^th August, 2015 for the welfare of senior citizens. LIC has informed that 42607 persons have subscribed, as on 24^th November, 2014. The scheme is still open.

 This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Jayant Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.