The Government of India has approved the extension of Life Cycle 75 (LC75) and Balanced Life Cycle (BLC) investment options to Central Government employees under the National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

The decision, taken in response to long-standing employee demand, enables Central Government staff to choose from a wider range of investment options similar to those available to non-government subscribers. The move aims to enhance flexibility in retirement planning and allow employees to align their pension corpus with their risk appetite and financial goals.

Under the revised framework, employees may now select from the default pattern defined by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), or opt for schemes such as LC25, LC50, LC75, or BLC. These options offer varying equity allocations, which automatically taper as employees age to ensure balanced risk management.

The LC75 scheme allows up to 75 per cent equity exposure, while the BLC model extends equity participation until the age of 45, providing a longer growth period for those with higher risk tolerance. The glide-path mechanism ensures that equity exposure reduces progressively with age, protecting against market volatility as retirement nears.

Officials stated that the extension broadens auto choice options under the NPS and UPS, encouraging informed, diversified, and goal-oriented retirement planning for Central Government employees.