Atal Pension Yojana — Guaranteed Pension Chart (2026)
APY guarantees a fixed monthly pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000 from age 60, backed by the Government of India. Entry age 18–40; the scheme has been extended till FY 2030-31 (Cabinet, January 2026).
APY at a glance
₹1,000 – ₹5,000 / month for life from age 60Join at 18 and the ₹5,000 pension costs just ₹210/month (₹42/month for ₹1,000). Join at 30: ₹577/month (₹116 for ₹1,000). Join at 40: ₹1,454/month (₹291 for ₹1,000). Same pension to spouse after the subscriber; corpus to the nominee.
Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18–40 with a savings account. Income-tax payers cannot join (since October 2022).
How the APY guarantee works
You contribute monthly until age 60 (auto-debited from your savings account). From 60, the chosen pension is paid for life — and it is a government guarantee, not market-linked: if fund returns fall short, the Government of India makes up the difference.
Contribution depends only on joining age and chosen slab
Monthly contribution by joining age (verified examples)
| Joining age | For ₹1,000/month pension | For ₹5,000/month pension |
|---|---|---|
| 18 years | ₹42 / month | ₹210 / month |
| 30 years | ₹116 / month | ₹577 / month |
| 40 years | ₹291 / month | ₹1,454 / month |
The earlier you join, the cheaper the same guaranteed pension — at 18 the ₹5,000 slab costs about a seventh of what it costs at 40. Contributions for the ₹2,000–₹4,000 slabs fall between these amounts per the official PFRDA chart.
APY rules at a glance (July 2026)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed pension | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 per month from age 60, for life |
| Entry age | 18 – 40 years |
| Eligibility | Savings account holders; income-tax payers ineligible since Oct 2022 |
| Family cover | Same pension to spouse; corpus returned to nominee |
| Scheme validity | Extended to FY 2030-31 (Cabinet approval, January 2026) |
| Administered by | PFRDA, through banks and post offices |
Frequently asked questions
How much pension does Atal Pension Yojana give?
APY guarantees a fixed monthly pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 from age 60, depending on the slab you choose. The same pension continues to the spouse after the subscriber's death, and the accumulated corpus goes to the nominee.
How much do I contribute for a ₹5,000 APY pension?
Contributions depend on joining age: at 18 it is ₹210 per month for the ₹5,000 pension (₹42 for ₹1,000); at 30 it is ₹577 (₹116 for ₹1,000); at 40 it is ₹1,454 (₹291 for ₹1,000). Earlier entry means much lower contributions.
Who is eligible for Atal Pension Yojana in 2026?
Indian citizens aged 18–40 with a savings bank account. Since October 2022, income-tax payers are not eligible to join. The Cabinet approved extending the scheme to FY 2030-31 in January 2026.
Is Atal Pension Yojana pension guaranteed by the government?
Yes. The minimum pension is guaranteed by the Government of India — if actual returns fall short, the government funds the gap. The scheme is administered by PFRDA.
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