How Pension Income is Taxable in India and can we avoid or reduce tax?

How Pension Income is Taxable in India and can we avoid or reduce taxHow Pension Income is Taxable in India and can we avoid or reduce tax?


The biggest tension in the life of an employee is what would be his source of income after retirement and how would he meet his day-to-day requirements. Banks or Insurance companies have a variety of retirement plans for such retired individuals like pensions. Even Pension received by Senior Citizens are sometimes taxable. What are various types of Pensions offered in India? How commuted pension and uncommitted pension is taxable in India? How to show Pension Income in income tax return? Can we avoid or reduce income tax on pension received in India?

Also Read: Should you opt for LIC Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandhana Yojana Pension Scheme?

What is Pension Income?


During the employment period, the employee has to contribute a certain sum of money to a special fund called pension fund and from which payments are withdrawn periodically when the person is retired from work which is called as pension. A pension is a form of saving a person makes to support his old age life.

What are various types of pensions?


Usually pensions are paid on a monthly basis, but one may also choose to take a part of the pension in a lump sum which is called as commuted pension. For instance, a person receives a monthly pension of Rs.10, 000 at the age of 60. He opts for 10% of his pension in advance for next 10 years. So, he receives (10,000*10%) 1000*12*10= 1,20,000 in advance. This is called as commuted pension. For the next ten years, he will be receiving Rs. 9,000 as his monthly pension. From the 11th year, he will again get back Rs.10,000 as pension. This is his regular pension. 

How commuted pension and un-commuted pension is taxable in India?


If pension income is received by himself, it is treated in a different way and if is received by some family member, it is treated all together another way. Let’s see the difference in both the cases.

1) If uncommitted or regular /monthly pension received by him, It is fully taxable in India in the hands of the receiver and is included in the head of salary.

2) If commuted pension received by himself, it is exempt from tax in certain cases. For a government employee, it is fully exempted and for a non-government employee, it is partially exempt. If case of gratuity is also received with pension, 1/3rd of the amount of pension that would have been received if 100% of the pension was commuted is exempt from commuted pension and the remaining is taxed as salary.

3) And in cases where the only pension is received and gratuity is not received, ½ of the amount of pension that would have been received if 100% of the pension was commuted is exempt from tax. 

4) If a commuted pension is received by family members, it is exempt from tax.

5) If un-commuted pension is received by family members, it is exempt to a certain extent. An amount of Rs 15,000 or 1/3 of the commuted pension whichever is less, is deducted from the annual pension and the remaining amount is taxable. For example- if a family member receives an annual pension of Rs 150,000. Then 15,000 or 50,000 (1/3 of 1,50,000) whichever is less is deducted. Here 150,000-15,000 = 135,000 is the taxable income in the hands of the beneficiary.

It is shown under the head of ‘income from other sources’ in the income tax return of the beneficiary.

Are there any exceptions?

1) Pension received from UNO by its employees or their family member is exempt from tax.

2) Pension received by family members of armed forces is also exempt from tax.

Where to show the pension income in income tax return?


If the taxable income of an individual is above the exemption limit, he or she has to file tax returns. Pension income is treated as income under salary only if received by the pensioner himself. Form No. ITR 1 (also known as Sahaj) can be used by most pensioners to file their income tax returns. It is a form that can be used by individuals who do not have any business income and own only one house.        

If the uncommuted pension is received by other family member, it is included under the head – income from other sources. The deduction of family pension u/s 58 (iia) is applicable (discussed above).

How to avoid or reduce Tax on Pension Income in India?


Here are some ways on income tax can be reduced by Senior Citizens on the pension income received by them.

1) The Union Budget 2018 was announced recently and has introduced a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 with respect to miscellaneous medical expenses and transportation allowance. This tax reform is going to offer tremendous benefit to pensioners and salaried employees.

2) Section 80C – Individuals and family members of the pensioners can claim tax rebate u/s 80C (this was earlier provided under section 88 which was merged with 80C from 2006 onwards). Premium towards the insurance policies, PPF, infrastructure bonds, repayment of the home loan, equity investments, etc. are exempt up to a limit of Rs 150,000.

3) Interest income is exempted upto Rs 50,000 per annum. If such senior citizen receives higher amount, they need to pay tax on excess amount received above Rs 50,000.

4) Section 80DDB provides a deduction to an assessee in case of expense for medical treatment of specified ailments. The deduction allowed under this section earlier was Rs. 60,000 for Senior and Rs. 80,000 for Super-Senior Citizens. This has now been increased to Rs 100,000 for both Senior and Super Senior Citizens with effect from FY 2018-19.

5) Deduction 80D health insurance premium. The deduction allowed under section 80D for payment of medical insurance premium is Rs 25,000 for non-senior citizens. However, this deduction increased to Rs 50,000 for Senior Citizens. Moreover, in case of very super-senior citizens, i.e. people above the age of 80, the deduction under Section 80D is allowed not only for payment for Medical Insurance Premium but also for the actual expense incurred for treatment by very super senior citizens.

Also Read: 15 SIP Mutual Funds to invest in India now

TDS on pension


If the pensioner receives pension via nationalized bank, TDS provisions are applicable as is the case of salary income. The banks allow for deductions. Likewise, banks also grant relief u/s 89 (1) for any pension arrears. It is important to note that TDS is not deducted on family pensions as the latter does not come under the income from salaries head.

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Suresh

How Pension Income is Taxable in India

Suresh KP

3 comments

  1. Is it possible to convert pension plans to other plans which may not be taxable.
    Is it possible to get whole amount in a pension plans and what are the implications for tax

  2. Hi Suresh, Good info. Thanks. Need a clarification on 80D for senior citizens. Is it allowed only for the medical insurance premium and also the medical expenses. Thanks and regards. Kasiraj G

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