NIT


Introduction

NIT Pension Fund is established in Pakistan as a Voluntary Pension Fund through a Trust Deed, dated May 14, 2015, entered in between National Investment Trust Limited in its capacity as the Pension Fund Manager and Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited in its capacity as the Trustee and authorized under the Voluntary Pension System (VPS) Rules, 2005.

The Pension Fund shall initially consist of four (4) Sub-Funds to be called:

i. NIT-PF Equity Sub-Fund (the “Equity Sub-Fund”)
ii. NIT-PF Debt Sub-Fund (the “Debt Sub-Fund”)
iii. NIT-PF Money Market Sub-Fund (the “Money Market Sub-Fund”) and
iv. NIT-PF Commodities Sub-Fund (the “Commodities Sub-Fund”)


After successfully managing the above mentioned Sub-Funds, the Pension Fund Manager may, with the approval of the Commission, launch other Sub-Funds through a Supplementary Trust Deed and a Supplementary Offering Document for investments in other asset classes, including securitized investment in real estate or in assets outside Pakistan (for avoidance of doubt, additional Sub-Funds may include combinations of new and existing classes of assets). Thereafter, any reference to the Sub-Funds in the Trust Deed or the Offering Document shall be construed to include any such new Sub-Fund.

Objective

The objective of introducing NIT Pension Fund is to provide individuals with a portable, individualized, funded (based on defined contribution) and flexible pension scheme which is managed by professional investment manager to assist them to plan and provide for their retirement. The design of the scheme empowers the participants to decide how much to invest in their pensions, and how to invest it, as well as to continue investing in their pension accounts even if they change jobs. NIT-PF is suitable for you, if you:

Features of NIT-PF

  • Competitive Returns      - Low Management Fee       - Professional fund management expertise      - Risk diversification      - No minimum holding period
  • Ease of redemption       - No penalty on withdrawal

Risk Meter

Fund Facts

Fund Type

NIT Pension Fund (NIT-PF)

Fund Structure

Unit Trust Scheme consisting of Sub-Funds under the VPS Rules 2005.

Fund Objective

To provide a secure source of savings and regular income after
retirement to the Participants

Eligibility

Every Pakistani national over the age of 18 years holding a valid
CNIC or NICOP

Minimum Contribution

The minimum amount to open an account is Rs. 1,000/- and the
minimum amount of contribution to an existing account is Rs.
500/- per transaction. There is no maximum limit of
contribution. However, Tax Credit will be available to the extent
specified in the income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Contribution Frequency

Annual, semi-Annual, quarterly, monthly or as desired by the
participant

Contribution Mechanism

Cheque, bank draft, pay order (crossed account payee only),
titled “CDC - Trustee NIT Pension Fund” payable to the
Trustee on any Dealing Day. Any other electronic form of
Transfer.

Contribution in the form of Cash or any bearer instruments shall
not be made and accepted.

*The Pension Fund Manager may make arrangements with
Banks for online transfers from time to time. Such
Arrangements (if any) will be communicated to Participants
through the company’s website.

Investment Mechanism

Insurance premium (for optional insurance coverage)shall be deducted
unless waived from Contributions made by the Participant , followed
by deduction of applicable Front-end Fee. The remaining Contribution
amount is then credited to the Participant’s Individual Pension Account
and is invested in the underlying Sub-Funds of the NIT Pension Fund as
per the Allocation Scheme selected by the Participant.

Minimum Contribution

The minimum amount to open an account is Rs. 1,000/- and the
minimum amount of contribution to an existing account is Rs.
500/- per transaction. There is no maximum limit of
contribution. However, Tax Credit will be available to the extent
specified in the income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Contribution Frequency

Annual, semi-Annual, quarterly, monthly or as desired by the
participant

Contribution Mechanism

Cheque, bank draft, pay order (crossed account payee only),
titled “CDC - Trustee NIT Pension Fund” payable to the
Trustee on any Dealing Day. Any other electronic form of
Transfer.

Contribution in the form of Cash or any bearer instruments shall
not be made and accepted.

*The Pension Fund Manager may make arrangements with
Banks for online transfers from time to time. Such
Arrangements (if any) will be communicated to Participants
through the company’s website.

Investment Mechanism

Insurance premium (for optional insurance coverage)shall be deducted
unless waived from Contributions made by the Participant , followed
by deduction of applicable Front-end Fee. The remaining Contribution
amount is then credited to the Participant’s Individual Pension Account
and is invested in the underlying Sub-Funds of the NIT Pension Fund as
per the Allocation Scheme selected by the Participant.

Investment Strategy

The Pension Fund Manager shall design investment strategy to
optimize returns on investments within the parameters of
Investment Policy specified by the Commission. The Pension
Fund Manager shall also offer different Allocation Schemes to
Participants to choose from, allowing them to adopt an
investment strategy, according to their risk / return
requirements

Reallocation Policy

Units held in the Individual Pension Account shall be reallocated
by the Pension Fund Manager between the Sub-Funds at least
once a year to ensure that the allocation of Units of all
Participants is in line with the Allocation Scheme selected by
them.

Front-end Fee

Maximum of 3 % on all Contributions as part of Wakalah Fee,
unless exempt under this Offering Document.

Management Fee

1.5 % p.a. on average Net Assets of each Sub-Fund as part of
Wakalah Fee.

Taxation

Tax Credit will be available to Participants on contributions
during any Tax Year subject to the limits prescribed under the
Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 (XLIX OF 2001).

Benefits / Withdrawal on Retirement

All Units of each Sub-Fund held by a Participant in his Individual
Pension Account shall be redeemed at the Net Asset Value
notified at close of the day of retirement or, if that day is not a
Business Day, the following Business Day. The Participant will
then have the following options, namely:
(a) to en-cash up to fifty percent (50%) or any percent as
admissible under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, of the
amount in his Individual Pension Account, without any Tax
deductions. Tax will be deducted at a rate of the average tax
percentage of the Participant for the previous 3 years, if the
Participant withdraws any amount over the limit admissible
under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001; and
(b) either to use the remaining amount to purchase an annuity
from a Life Takaful Company of his/her choice; or
(c) enter into an agreement with the Pension Fund Manager to
transfer his balance to an Approved Income Payment Plan
offered by the Pension Fund Manager or another Pension Fund
Manager and withdraw from it monthly installments for up to
15 years following the date of retirement, according to the
Approved Income Payment Plan.

Early Withdrawal / Withdrawal before Retirement

Participants at any time before retirement are entitled to
redeem the whole or any part of the Units held to their credit in
their Individual Pension Account. Tax may be applicable in
accordance with the requirements of the Income Tax
Ordinance, 2001 and, if applicable, will be deducted by the
Pension Fund Manager from the amount withdrawn

Transfers to and from other Pension Funds

Participants shall be entitled to transfer part or whole of their
Individual Pension Accounts from this Pension Fund to another
once a Financial year with 21 days’ notice. There shall be no Tax
or charges on such transfers. Similarly Participants are allowed
to transfer-in their funds from other Pension Funds and
approved Occupational Savings Schemes or approved
superannuation funds to this Pension Fund without
having to pay any Front End Fee to the Pension Fund Manager.

Transparency

Daily calculation and announcement of NAV of each Sub –fund

Distribution Restriction

Any income earned shall be retained and accumulated in the
respective sub-funds and no distribution / Dividend shall be
made from the Pension Fund.


Allocation of Contributions & Allocation Schemes
Contributions shall be allocated among the Units of Sub-Funds at Net Asset Value, as per the selected Allocation Scheme, from amongst the following Five (5) Schemes being offered by the Pension Fund Manager.

Allocation Scheme Equity Sub-Fund Debt Sub-Fund Money Market Sub-Fund Commodities Sub-Fund
High Volatility Min 40% Min 40% Nil Max 25%
Medium Volatility Min 20% Min 40% Min 10% Max 15%
Low Volatility Min 05% Min 60% Min 15% Max 15%
Lower Volatility Nil Min 40% Min 40% Nil
Customized Allocation Scheme 0-100% 0-100% 0-100% 0-100%
Withholding Tax

The Trustee on the advice of the Pension Fund Manager shall with hold any tax or tax penalty from payments to the Participants or, in accordance with the Trust Deed and the Offering Document, to their nominated survivors, executors, administrators or successors, as the case may be, applicable under the Income Tax Ordinance,2001 (Ordinance No.XLIX of 2001) and shall deposit the same in the Government treasury.

Retirement Age

The Participant may choose his/her Retirement Age which would be between sixty and seventy years or twenty-five years since the age of first contribution to a pension fund whichever is earlier. Participant shall send a notice to the Pension Fund Manager at least thirty days before the chosen date of Retirement. If a Participant suffers from any of the following disabilities, which render him unable to generate any income he/she may, if he/she so elects, be treated as having reached the Retirement Age at the date of such disability and all relevant provisions shall apply accordingly, namely:


a. loss of two or more limbs or loss of a hand and a foot;
b. loss of eyesight;
c. deafness in both ears;
d. severe facial disfigurement;
e. loss of speech;
f. paraplegia or hemiplegia;
g. lunacy;
h. advance case of incurable disease; or
i. wounds, injuries or any other diseases etc., resulting in a disability due to which the Participant is unable to continue any work.


An assessment certificate from the medical board approved by the Commission and appointed by the Pension Fund Manager or any such procedure that the Commission has approved would be required to confirm any of the disability, specified above.

Investment Policy

The NIT Pension Fund through its four Sub-Funds, NIT-PF Equity Sub-Fund, NIT-PF Debt Sub-Fund, NIT-PF Money Market Sub-Fund and NIT-PF Commodities Sub-Fund, under its umbrella, will invest in equities, fixed income, money market and in those Commodities future contract that are traded at the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange.

Risk Disclosure

Investors must realize that all investments in mutual funds and securities are subject to market risks. Our target return / dividend range cannot be guaranteed and it should be clearly understood that the portfolio of NIT Pension Fund is subject to market price fluctuations and other risks inherent in all such investments.

Disclaimer

The Units of the Sub-Funds of the Pension Fund are not bank deposits and are neither issued by, insured by, obligations of, nor otherwise supported by the Commission, the Stock Exchanges, any government agency, the Trustee or any of the sponsors, shareholders or employees of the Pension Fund Manager or any of the investors of the Seed Capital Units or any other Bank or financial institution.

Taxation
a.Tax Credit for Contributions to the Pension Fund

An eligible person, as defined in sub-section(19A) of section 2 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, deriving income chargeable to tax under the head “Salary�? or the head “Income from Business�?, will be entitled to a Tax Credit for a Tax Year in respect of any contribution or premium paid in the year by the person to the Pension Fund under the VPS Rules, 2005.
The amount of a person’s Tax Credit allowed under Sub-section(1)for a Tax Year shall be computed according to the following formula, namely:–
(A/B) x C
Where:
A is the amount of tax assessed to the person for the Tax Year,before allowance of any Tax Credit under this Part;
B is the person’s taxable income for the tax year; and
C is the lesser of –

(i)the total contribution or premium referred to in sub-section(1) paid by the person in the year; or

(ii)twenty percent(20%)of the person’s taxable income for the relevant Tax Year Provided that a person joining the Pension Fund at the age of forty-one (41) years or above, during the first ten (10)years starting from July 1, 2006, shall be allowed additional contribution of two percent(2%)per annum for each year of age exceeding forty years. Provided, further, that the total contribution allowed to such person shall not exceed fifty percent(50%) of the total taxable income of the preceding year


b.Tax Exemptions

Exemptions under Clause (57) sub Clause (3) (viii) of Part-I of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001:

(a) Total income of the Pension Fund approved by the SECP under the VPS Rules, 2005.
(b) Profit or gain or benefit derived by the Pension Fund Manager from a pension fund approved under the VPS Rules, 2005 on redemption of the seed capital invested in the Pension Fund.

c. Withholding Tax

A pension fund manager making payment from individual pension accounts, maintained under an approved pension fund, shall deduct tax from any amount:

a. Withdrawn before the age of retirement, provided that tax shall not be withheld in the following cases
• eligible person suffering from any disability which render him unable to continue with any employment at the age which he may so elect to be treated as retirement age or the age as on the date of such disability if not so elected by him; or
• on the share of the nominated survivor of the deceased eligible person.

b. Withdrawn, if in excess of fifty per cent of his accumulated balance at or after the retirement age, provided tax shall not be withheld in the following cases
• the balance is invested in an approved income payment plan;
• the balance is paid to a takaful company for the purchase of an annuity plan;
• the balance is transferred to an another individual pension account of the eligible person;or
• the balance is transferred to the survivors approved pension account in case of the death of the eligible person.
The tax is required to be withheld at the last three year’s average rate of tax which shall be computed in accordance with the following formula:
A/B
Where,
A= the total tax paid or payable by the person on the person’s total taxable income for the three preceding years; and
B= the person’s total taxable income for the preceding three years.

d. Zakat

Units held by resident Pakistani Participants shall be subject to Zakat at two and a half percent (2.5%) on lower of the par value of Units and Redemption price under Zakat and Ushr Ordinance,1980,(XVIIof1980), except those exempted under the said Ordinance. Zakat will be deducted at source from redemption / withdrawal payment, and paid into the Government Treasury.

Desclaimer

The tax and Zakat information given above is based on the Pension Fund Manager’s interpretation of the law which, to the best of the Pension Fund Manager’s understanding, is correct but Participants are requested to seek independent advice from their tax advisors so as to determine the taxability arising from their Contributions to the Pension Fund


Please Contact Us