Universal Pensions Asia

Asia Cover Img

... India

National Pension System (NPS) Design and Expansion

Between 1998 and 2010, our founding team worked closely with the Indian Ministry of Finance, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank to co-design and help launch the National Pension System (NPS). Introduced in 2004 for new civil servants, NPS was extended in 2010 to cover India's 400 million informal workers. Today, NPS has over 20 million subscribers and an asset base exceeding USD 150 billion.

Pioneering Micro-Pensions with SEWA Bank and UTI AMC

In 2006, our founding team launched the world’s first micro-pension scheme in partnership with SEWA Bank and UTI Asset Management Company, starting with a pilot in Ahmedabad. This initiative expanded to over 2.5 million voluntary subscribers across 14 states, with 80% being women.

Introducing Fiscal Incentives for Informal Sector Pensions

Collaborating with the Government of Rajasthan in 2008, we developed India's first micro-pension scheme offering government co-contributions for informal workers. This model was later adopted nationally, resulting in over 4.5 million voluntary accounts within four years.

Empowering Women Self-Help Groups in Andhra Pradesh

In 2009, in partnership with the World Bank, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), we helped design and launch a micro-pension scheme for women self-help group members, that enrolled over 6 million rural women in the first year.

Supporting Overseas Indian Workers

In 2010, we assisted the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in designing and launching an integrated pension, insurance, and savings scheme targeting approximately 5 million Indian workers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Leveraging Existing Outtrach to Expand NPS Coverage

Between 2017 and 2018, we collaborated with the World Bank, Indian Ministry of Finance, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Government of Andhra Pradesh, and State Bank of India to develop and field-test a digital micro-pension model across three states, achieving a 500–1000% jump in pension coverage in pilot districts.

Partnership with WhatsApp for Digital Access

In 2021, we integrated our pensionTech platform with WhatsApp, to enable India's 500 million users to digitally activate NPS and mutual fund accounts in multiple languages within minutes. Recent collaborations with India’s top pension funds,AMCs and insurers aim to deliver an integrated pension, micro-SIP, and insurance solution to informal sector workers.

... Bangladesh

Digital Micro-Pension Model for BRAC Clients

In 2016, we partnered with BRAC to design a self-funded digital micro-pension and insurance solution targeting 10 million microfinance clients, with potential expansion to 4 million ready-made garment (RMG) workers.

Feasibility Study for Private Pensions Market

Collaborating with the World Bank and the Finance Division of Bangladesh, we assessed the feasibility of establishing a private pensions market for over 50 million informal sector workers. This study contributed to the 2023 launch of Bangladesh's Universal Pension Scheme.

Lifecycle Financial Solutions for Diverse Workers

In 2023, we signed an MOU with BRAC Microfinance to co-design and deploy an inclusive digital micro-pension solution for micro-credit customers, RMG workers, gig workers, and domestic helpers in Bangladesh.

... Papa New Guinea

Inclusive Pension Architecture for Informal Workers

In 2019, we conducted a comprehensive study with UNCDF, NASFUND, and the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) to design a digital micro-pension framework for PNG’s 4 million non-salaried workers.

Launching a National Digital Superannuation Marketplace

In 2024, we signed MOUs with BPNG, Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), and the Association of Superannuation Funds of PNG (ASFPNG) to customize our pension technology platform. This initiative aims to build and pilot-test a national digital superannuation marketplace for self-employed workers and remote farming communities under a BPNG Regulatory Sandbox.

... Nepal

Designing Nepal's National Pension Policy

Between 2006 and 2007, our founding team collaborated with the World Bank and Nepal's Ministry of Finance to develop the country's national pension policy and a framework for a contributory pension scheme encompassing both salaried and non-salaried workers.