Dear Mr Anil, I read your column with lot of interest. It is really very useful info.
My son and daughter were working in India and contributed for 2 years and 3 years in NPS 1 and 2. My son went to USA for studies and now started working; my daughter too is working in USA after marriage. They both also have PF accounts.
We have so far contributed to all these 3 schemes i.e. NPS1, 2 (aprrox 10K to 20K pa) and 1.5L each to PPF accounts so far. But, there is a doubt now due to their converting into NRI status.
Can they continue contributions to NPS 1, 2 and PPF accounts? They are filing returns so far but with NIL income (there is only a small interest income from their NRO accounts). We cannot even withdraw amount from NPS1.
Look forward to your expert opinion.
Ans: When a Resident Indian becomes NRI he will have to close the NPS account when his residency status changes. As an NRI, he can open another NPS account.
In case of PPF account, an NRI cannot open a new PPF account. But if he had opened a PPF account when he was a resident Indian, he needs to notify the bank regarding his change of status and he can hold that account till its maturity and can keep contributing after status change.
During withdrawal, the credit of this amount happens to one’s NRO account.