MAM
Top Retirement Plans for Salaried and Self-Employed Professionals in 2025
Retirement planning supports a structured financial approach for salaried and self-employed individuals. It allows individuals to prepare for future income needs after their active working years end. Planning early may help individuals set up regular income options. Various pension and annuity plans are available in 2025 for individuals with different financial goals. Also, many plans offer options such as immediate payouts or deferred income structures. This article explains the top retirement plans for salaried and self-employed professionals in 2025.
Retirement Plans for Salaried and Self-Employed Professionals
The retirement plan for salaried and self-employed professionals in 2025 is as follows:
National Pension System (NPS)
The National Pension System is a voluntary scheme managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). It is available to salaried employees, government staff, and self-employed persons. Individuals contribute to their pension account regularly during their working years. At retirement, some part of the accumulated fund can be withdrawn as a lump sum, and the remaining portion may be used to buy an annuity plan. Contributions made under NPS are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80CCD.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
The Public Provident Fund is a long-term savings scheme supported by the Government of India. It is available to both salaried and self-employed individuals. The scheme has a 15-year lock-in period, and contributions earn interest at a rate decided by the Ministry of Finance every quarter. The interest earned and the maturity amount are exempt from income tax. Individuals can contribute a fixed amount every year, and partial withdrawals are allowed after 6 years of opening the PPF account.
Annuity Plans
Annuity plans are available through life insurance companies and can be suitable for those nearing retirement. Individuals invest a lump sum amount, and the insurer provides regular payouts for life or a fixed duration. Annuity options include immediate annuity, deferred annuity, and joint life annuity. These plans do not allow the withdrawal of the principal amount but offer fixed income during the post-retirement period. An annuity plan can be helpful for self-employed individuals who want a predictable payout pattern.
Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme (SCSS)
The Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme is designed for individuals aged 60 years and above. It is available through banks and post offices. The scheme allows a one-time investment, and interest is paid quarterly. The interest rate is reviewed every quarter by the Ministry of Finance. SCSS has a tenure of five years and may be extended by three more years. The SCSS can be suitable for retirees who seek regular interest income in their retirement years.
Life Insurance Retirement Plans
Many life insurance providers offer pension or retirement-focused insurance policies. This plan combines savings with life coverage, and both salaried and self-employed individuals can buy life insurance retirement plans. This plan usually involves regular premiums or a one-time payment. On maturity, a part of the amount can be paid to the policyholder as a lump sum, while the rest is used to offer periodic income. Many life insurance retirement plans offer deferred annuity or immediate annuity options, based on the policyholder’s age and preference.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Atal Pension Yojana is a government-backed pension scheme mainly aimed at unorganised sector workers. However, any Indian citizen between 18 and 40 years of age may join. People who enrol for this yojana can receive monthly pension benefits after reaching the age of 60. The contribution amount depends on the chosen monthly pension and the age of entry.
Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)
The Voluntary Provident Fund is an extension of the Employees’ Provident Fund. It allows salaried employees to contribute a higher percentage of their salary beyond the mandatory EPF amount. The interest rate is usually similar to EPF. Additionally, it offers tax benefits under Section 80C, and the maturity amount is tax-exempt if certain conditions are met. VPF may suit those who want to increase long-term savings through payroll deductions.
Retirement-Linked Mutual Funds
Retirement-linked mutual funds are designed to support long-term retirement planning objectives. These funds typically follow equity or hybrid investment strategies and are suited for long-term goals. They may include lock-in periods and step-down strategies that gradually reduce equity exposure as the investor nears retirement. These funds are available to both salaried and self-employed individuals. Retirement-linked mutual funds provide flexibility in contribution amounts and allow investment through systematic investment plans (SIPs).
Conclusion
Retirement planning is an important part of long-term financial preparation. Choosing a plan with suitable annuity features may support future income after regular employment ends. Retirement products vary in structure and may include options for single life or joint life annuity, immediate or deferred income. Understanding how these options work helps individuals select plans that match their financial goals. It is important to review the terms of each policy carefully before making a decision. All information should be read directly from the official website of the provider for an accurate understanding.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional or legal advice. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is not responsible for any decisions made based on the information.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
