Keeping in view the hardships faced by the pensioners and for helping them having a regular stream of income even after their retirement, the Government of Pakistan has launched Pensioners’ Benefit Account (PBA) with a maturity period of 10 years on January 19, 2003. The deposits are maintained in the form of accounts and the profit is paid on monthly basis started from the date of opening of the account/ deposit.
The pensioners of Federal Government, Provincial Governments, Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Armed Forces, Semi-Government and Autonomous bodies and in case of the death of a pensioner their eligible family member can invest in PBA.
Only one account, at a time can be opened at any of the National Savings Centre (NSC) across Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, by filling in DA-I (Application Form), available free of cost from NSCs.
Documents Required with the Application Form
Attested copy of the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC)/NICOP and the copy of Pension Payment Order or any document as a proof of Retirement/ Golden Hand Shake/ Voluntary Separation Schemes etc. as the case may be, are required to be attached with the Application Form.
The PBA can be opened by depositing cash at the issuing office or by presenting a cheque/ draft/ pay-order. The Account shall be opened immediately against the cash payment. However, in the case of deposit through cheque/ draft/ pay-order, the Account shall be opened with effect from the date of realization of the cheque/ draft/ pay-order after receiving the clearance advice.
- Minimum: Rs. 10,000/-, Maximum: Rs. 5,000,000/-
- An investor can invest only seven subsequent deposits in the account
- The following are not allowed under any circumstances: 1) More than eight deposits ; 2) Exceeding the prescribed limit of investment i.e. Rs. 5,000,000/- ; 3) More than one account across Pakistan at a time.
- In case of the violation of any of the above conditions, the Account shall be treated as irregular with zero profit. Any amount of profit already collected thereon would be irregular and shall be liable to be recovered/deducted from the account holder/recipient of profit/ deposited amount.
Withdrawal from the principle amount shall be in multiples of rupees one thousand. The deposits can be withdrawn any time after the date of deposit subject to deduction of service charges. If the deposit withdrawn before completion of 1,2, 3 and 4 years from the date of deposit then 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%, and 0.25% respectively of the principal amount will be deducted.
The continued re-investment option on maturity of deposits in PBA is available. However, the profit rates on the date of re-investment will be applicable to such re-invested amount.
The withholding tax is not collected on the profit earned on the deposits made in PBA. The investment made in the PBA is also exempted from Zakat.