People always avoid retirement plans. But, later in old age, it becomes a big problem. In such a situation, the government's Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a safe option for those who want regular income in old age. The special thing is that this scheme provides guaranteed pension and it is also low risk. To get a pension of Rs 5,000 per month under Atal Pension Yojana, the investment amount depends on the age. Instalments of Rs 210 per month have to be given at the age of 18, Rs 577 per month at the age of 30 and Rs 1,454 per month at the age of 40. If you start investing as early as possible, the monthly instalment amount reduces.

The popularity of the APY scheme is steadily increasing
As of April 21, 2026, more than 90 million people have enrolled in the scheme. This clearly demonstrates that the scheme is becoming a powerful means of social security in the country, especially for those working in the unorganized sector.

What is the Atal Pension Yojana (APY)?
It is a government pension scheme administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Under the scheme, you can choose a monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, which is available after the age of 60. Your investment depends on your age and the pension you choose. A fixed amount is automatically deducted from your account each month, making saving easier.

How much do you need to invest to get a pension of Rs 5,000?

Starting at age 18, you'll need to deposit approximately ₹210 per month. (The longer tenure (42 years) reduces the monthly installment burden.)

Starting at the age of 30 – deposit Rs. 577 every month.

Starting at age 40 – deposit Rs. 1,454 every month (since the investment horizon is only 20 years).

Clearly, the earlier you start, the lower your monthly installment will be.

Same pension for all
Same pension for all, regardless of age. If you choose a pension of ₹5,000, you'll receive a fixed amount every month after age 60. The only difference will be in the total investment.

Family Benefits:
A major benefit of this scheme is that the pension recipient's spouse continues to receive the pension after their death. Upon both deaths, the nominee receives a corpus of approximately ₹8.5 lakh.

Who can benefit?
Any Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 who has a savings account with a bank or post office can join this scheme.

Why is it important to start early?
The biggest message of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is that it should be started early and can be used to build a secure future with a low investment. Delaying will result in higher monthly payments. This scheme is ideal for those who want a guaranteed pension with low risk and who want to be self-reliant after retirement.

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