PB Fintech launched Pensionbazaar on Tuesday, January 13, marking its entry into the retirement planning segment with a comprehensive platform designed to address India's retirement preparedness gaps. The initiative was formally unveiled by S Ramann, Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Platform Overview and Objectives

Positioned as a dedicated retirement marketplace, Pensionbazaar aims to provide end-to-end retirement planning solutions covering three critical aspects:

• Financial security and wealth creation
• Health insurance and healthcare cost management
• Social well-being during retirement years

The platform addresses the common challenge in India where retirement planning is often delayed or underestimated, offering a more structured and accessible approach to long-term financial security.

Product Portfolio and Services

Pensionbazaar offers a comprehensive range of retirement-focused financial products designed to meet diverse planning needs:

The platform's health insurance component specifically targets the challenge of rising healthcare expenses during retirement, providing tailored coverage options for senior citizens.

PFRDA Leadership Endorsement

Speaking at the launch, PFRDA Chairperson S Ramann emphasized the critical importance of long-term financial planning. "It is essential that every citizen has access to pension products, as long-term financial security cannot be left to chance. Grow rich before you grow old," he stated, highlighting the need for disciplined investment approaches.

Ramann stressed that individuals should maintain their National Pension System investments for 20-30 years or longer to maximize retirement benefits. He positioned Pensionbazaar as playing an important role in advancing this long-term investment objective across India.

Strategic Vision and Market Impact

Yashish Dahiya, Chairman and Group CEO of PB Fintech, acknowledged that retirement planning in India has traditionally been overshadowed by other financial priorities. He explained that Pensionbazaar was specifically designed to encourage early action and financial discipline while making retirement planning more accessible to a broader population.

The platform aims to promote long-term corpus creation through systematic planning, addressing the widespread tendency to postpone retirement preparation until later stages of career development.

Market Performance

Shares of PB Fintech Ltd closed 2.66% lower at ₹1,631.00 on Tuesday, the day of the platform launch.

India's pension regulator Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and insurance marketplace PB Fintech have announced a coordinated push to expand pension coverage beyond government employees, with regulatory flexibility, digital distribution and tax reforms emerging as key focus areas.

PFRDA Shifts Focus to Private Sector Participation

Speaking at the launch of Pensionbazaar.com alongside PB Fintech CEO Yashish Dahiya, PFRDA Chairperson Sivasubramanian Ramann outlined the regulator's strategic pivot toward the non-government segment over recent months. The regulatory approach emphasizes flexibility and adaptability in pension products to increase market appeal.

Ramann emphasized that achieving a fully pensioned society requires strong private-sector participation, positioning platforms like PB Fintech as critical to scaling adoption across India's diverse population.

Pre-Budget Tax Reform Recommendations

The PFRDA Chairman revealed that the regulator has submitted pre-Budget recommendations to the finance ministry, specifically seeking tax-neutral treatment for annuities to match other pension payout products. This uniform tax treatment approach aims to encourage long-term retirement planning by removing existing disparities in tax structures.

Ramann highlighted this tax neutrality request as a key priority ahead of the Union Budget, noting that consistent tax treatment across pension products is essential for promoting retirement savings culture in India.

PB Fintech's Strategic Pension Market Entry

PB Fintech CEO Yashish Dahiya explained that Pensionbazaar's launch was prompted by PFRDA's regulatory push and aligns with the company's long-term strategic vision. Dahiya positioned pension products as addressing one of India's biggest unmet financial needs, stating that developing a pensioned population is crucial for becoming a developed nation.

The CEO noted that pension represents one of four core financial products in which PB Fintech is deeply invested, with plans to leverage the company's established strength in health insurance for cross-selling and trust-building in retirement products.

GST Impact Management

Addressing recent GST changes affecting the insurance sector, Dahiya confirmed that Policybazaar remains focused on reducing customer challenges during the claims process. The platform's strong disclosure practices and claim settlement performance have enabled smooth implementation of GST-related benefits for consumers without material financial impact on company operations.

The coordinated effort between PFRDA and PB Fintech represents a significant development in India's pension landscape, combining regulatory support with digital distribution capabilities to address the country's retirement planning challenges.