A Comment on the new option available for purchasing new home under EPF Housing Scheme

My Comment on an article "Here is the step-by-step process to withdraw 90% of your PF to buy a home" published in the economictimes.com Dated 12/05/2017. 


"I am very glad to know of this facility available now.

It's a great relief to those employees who cannot afford to arrange funds for the down payment to obtain the housing loan.

Now, one can draw funds from his provident fund to meet the down payment requirement in order to obtain a house loan for purchasing a house."  

A Comment on FM's withdrawal of the proposal to tax EPF

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: FM Arun Jaitley rolls back proposal to tax EPF" published in the economictimes.com Dated 08/03/2016 at 10 pm.


"Good action taken by the FM by conceding to the demands of the people in withdrawing the tax proposal. 

Now, members of EPF can withdraw their funds entirely without having to pay any tax. 

NPS contributors have got a rebate of no tax upto 40% withdrawals from their pension funds, which will be a benefit to them from April 2016. 

Further, the FM has withdrawn the proposal to impose tax on Employer Contribution exceeding 1.50 lac per annum which is also a relief to EPF subscribers.

Even if FM comes back later after more better review of the implications, with a proposal to tax the present period interest withdrawals, we may not feel sad."

A further comment disapproving the taxation of EPF withdrawals

My Comment on an article "IRDAI asks finance minister to fix tax anamolies in annuities" published in the economictimes.com dated 04/03/2016


They should not tax any portion of the EPF amount whether principal or interest, whether it is earned after April 2016 or prior to it. 

Why should you punish the new entrants to EPF? Are they not humans? Do they not deserve old age protection? Do you expect them to be better off at their old age than present generations?"

A Clarification regarding taxation of PPF and EPF withdrawals

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: PPF stays on exemption list, only EPF interest to attract tax" published in the economictimes.com on 01/03/2016 at 10:25 pm.


"Now, they have cleared the doubt. 

It was very ambiguous at the early hours of Budget release today, when they announced that 60% of PPF and EPF withdrawals will be taxed. It implied that principal amount is going to be taxed. 

Now, it is clarified by Revenue Secretary that only interest withdrawal will be taxed. So, it can be acceptable to some extent. 

And, they have further clarified now, that if same interest amount is further invested into annuity schemes, then, they will not be taxed at all. That will be a good option open."

A Comment on EPF and your funds management

My Comment on an article "EPFO may have ruined your retirement plans.Here's how" published in the economictimes.com Dated 17/06/2015 at 12:25 pm.


"Everything in this article is assumed. If things had been like this, this would have been the result. 

Whatever already happened, you can not change. 

EPFO is doing their best according to their prudence. You can not blame them. Whatever you are getting from EPFO is good as you could not have saved a single pie if you have been let alone. 

The scheme is obligatory. Hence you are saving even this much. 
Now, it depends on you how you manage your remaining funds. You should find ways to invest some more besides this EPF, if you are so much concerned about your future. 

So "Do not blame EPFO". They never ruin you, rather make you prosper."

A Comment on increase of monthly minimum pension to Rs.1,000

My Comment on an article "Proposal for Rs.1,000 minimum monthly pension approved: Government" published in the Economic Times Dated 07/07/2014 at 5:20 pm.


"A very good decision. Minimum pension being raised to Rs.1000 per month is a great gift for most of those who are drawing only upto half of that amount at present. 

It will be a great relief to the pensioner as he may not be compelled to depend on his kins for even pocket expenses and daily needs which may not be common for other members of family. He can live with some self respect."

A Comment on EPFO paying interest @ 8.75% for 2013-14

My Comment on an article "EPFO to provide 8.75% interest on PF deposits for 2013-14" published in the Economic Times dated 13/01/2014 at 12:50 pm.


"Not appealing. 

But something is better than nothing. 

A person having a fund of Rs.1lac will now get interest amounting to Rs 8750/- instead of Rs.8500/- per year."