Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)

It is always to build a retirement fund while you have a regular income and park the money in avenues that give a good return on investment. There are many such options available that cater to investors with different risk profiles.

Of these, one of the most noteworthy savings plans, backed by sovereign guarantee is the Provident Fund (PF). In India, there are primarily two categories of Provident Funds – compulsory PFs and optional PFs. 

The Employees’ Provident Fund belongs to the compulsory category of PFs; whereas the Voluntary Provident Fund is an optional PF. 

What are the Features of a Voluntary Provident Fund?

The numerous features of a Voluntary PF are discussed below – 

• Eligibility Criteria

Individuals who are employed in the organised sector of the economy are eligible for a Voluntary Provident Fund. Moreover, EPF is only mandatory for organisations that employ more than 20 individuals. Therefore, one must work in an EPF-recognised organisation to have a Voluntary Provident Fund. 

Organisations with less than 20 employees might also choose to open an EPF account for their employees. However, that depends on the employer and not the employee. If such an employer chooses to open EPF accounts for their employees, only then can such employees create a VPF. 

• Creating a Voluntary Provident Fund

Initiating a Voluntary Provident Fund is a convenient and straightforward process. Individuals can simply convey in writing their decision of contributing an extra sum of money in their EPF accounts to their organisation’s accounts or HR department. Apart from this, they need to fill out a VPF application form. 

Such individuals also need to specify the amount that will be deducted from their monthly salary as VPF contribution. A person can subscribe to VPF at any point in a financial year. However, once initiated, such subscriber cannot discontinue their contribution in due course of said financial year. 

• VPF Interest Rate

Since the Voluntary Provident Fund is a subset of EPF, it earns interest at the same rate as the latter. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation – the organisation that overlooks EPF regulations – reviews the EPF interest rate at the end of every financial year after consulting with the Finance Ministry. 

For the Financial Year 2023-24, the EPF interest rate was set at 8.1%. This same percentage is also applied when calculating the interest on a Voluntary Provident Fund. 

• Contribution to VPF

EPFO has no strict guidelines concerning VPF contributions. The only default criterion is that an individual needs to contribute a portion of their salary that is in addition to the compulsory percentage fixed for EPF.

For example, if Jeetu earns Rs.30,000 per month (basic pay + dearness allowance), then his compulsory contribution as per the standard percentage would be Rs.3600 (30,000 x 12%). Therefore, if he chooses to deposit Rs.6000 per month to his EPF account, then his Voluntary Provident Fund would be Rs.2400 (6000 – 3600). 

On that note, an individual can specify their allocation to be as much as 100% of their salary (basic pay + dearness allowance).

• Maturity Period

The minimum lock-in period for a Voluntary Provident Fund is 5 years. Moreover, since a VPF is maintained through an EPF account, an individual can withdraw such amount upon retirement, unemployment for more than 2 months, or to defray the following expenses – 

• Repayment of loan.
• Purchasing or constructing a residential property.
• Education of child.
• Marriage of self or someone dependent.
• Medical reasons.

Nevertheless, the minimum threshold to avail of all VPF tax benefits is 5 years. If an individual chooses to withdraw before 5 years of lock-in, then he/she might lose out on exemptions. 

• VPF Withdrawal Facilities

An EPF account holder can withdraw the balance in an EPF account (EPF + VPF) – when they retire or resign from their current job. Other instances when an individual can withdraw such a balance are mentioned above.

On that note, an individual can choose to make partial withdrawals from their EPF account as a loan or withdraw the entire amount. Apart from that, if an EPF account holder passes away, then his/her nominee can withdraw the entire amount in the said account. 

• VPF Tax Benefits

As mentioned previously, a Voluntary Provident Fund enjoys all the benefits of EPF, including tax benefits. Contributions made to an EPF account in a specific year are exempt from taxation under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 up to a maximum of Rs.1.5 lakh. It includes VPF contributions as well. 

Additionally, if an individual locks in the VPF balance for 5 years and does not make any withdrawals from such EPF account for 5 years, then the interest and maturity amount are also exempt from wealth tax.

Furthermore, the VP Fund, like EPF, is a government-endorsed scheme. Therefore, account holders enjoy the benefits of security of capital as well as guaranteed returns by investing in a VPF.

VPF Benefits 

• The VPF is a fantastic tax-saving alternative because it fits under the EEE category (EEE – exempt on contribution, exempt on principle, exempt on interest). It also assists the employee in amassing a sizable savings portfolio and assisting him during major life milestones.
  
  
• The scheme is managed by the Government of India and earns set interest. As a result, it is seen as a risk-free investment when compared to long-term investments given by other private players.
  
  
• To start a VPF account, an employee must approach his HR/Finance team and seek an additional contribution to the VPF via a registration form. The existing EPF account will be converted into an additional VPF account.
  
  
• Under this plan, interest is accumulated at 8.1% each year. Contributions up to 1.5 lakhs per annum and interest earned are tax-free under Section 80C, resulting in higher long-term returns.
  
  
• When moving jobs, the account can be moved from one employer to another.