The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has clarified that to get enhanced family pension at a higher rate, both parents of a deceased government employee will be required to submit individual life certificates every year.
When does a deceased government servant’s parents become eligible for an enhanced family pension?
DoPPW says that the eligibility of members of the family for the grant of family pension under Category 'C and Category 'D', Rule 12 (5) of revised CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023 stipulates that-
"Where a deceased government servant is not survived by a widow or widower or a child eligible for family pension, or, if the widow or widower and all children cease to be eligible for family pension, family pension shall be payable to parents for life.”
Also read: Family pension rules for widows: Centre explains who gets pension when deceased pensioner had two wives
Clarification on enhanced family pension rules
The DoPPW issued the clarification after receiving several references seeking guidance on the payment of enhanced family pension to parents falling under Categories D and E of the 1939 rules and Categories C and D of the 2023 rules.
As per the existing provisions, when a government servant dies unmarried or as a widower without children, the dependent parents are eligible for enhanced family pension at 75% of the last pay drawn if both are alive. If only one parent survives, the pension is reduced to 60% of the last pay drawn. The same provision applies under the revised 2023 rules, where the pension is paid without reference to the parents’ income from other sources.
No provision earlier for dual life certificates
The department noted that, till now, there was no explicit provision in CCS (Pension) Rules for the submission of life certificates by both parents. Consequently, in some cases, the enhanced family pension continued to be paid at the higher 75% rate even after the death of one of the parents, leading to unintentional overpayments.
Annual life certificate submission from both parents made mandatory
To correct this, the DoPPW has decided that, henceforth, both parents will be required to submit separate life certificates each year to continue receiving enhanced family pension at the higher rate. The measure is intended to ensure timely updation of records and avoid any overpayment in cases where one parent passes away.
What is an Annual Life Certificate for pensioners?
Every government pensioner has to submit an Annual Life Certificate in the month of October and November to the authorised pension disbursing agencies like the bank for the continuation of pension. A Life Certificate can be submitted manually or digitally as per convenience of the pensioner.
To provide an additional exclusive window to very senior pensioners, the government had allowed the pensioners in the age group of 80 years and above to submit Annual Life Certificate from October 1, instead of November 1, onwards, every year.
Enhanced rate of family pension if govt servant dies after retirement
DoPPW has also issued clarification about the enhanced rate of family pension applicable in cases where a government employee dies after retirement.
According to Rule 50(2)(a)(iii) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, the family pension is payable at an enhanced rate for seven years or until the deceased employee reaches the age of 67, whichever occurs first.
The agency has underlined that this rule applies to all employees, regardless of the retirement age, even those who retire at 65, such as Central Health Service (CHS) doctors.
When does a deceased government servant’s parents become eligible for an enhanced family pension?
DoPPW says that the eligibility of members of the family for the grant of family pension under Category 'C and Category 'D', Rule 12 (5) of revised CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023 stipulates that-
"Where a deceased government servant is not survived by a widow or widower or a child eligible for family pension, or, if the widow or widower and all children cease to be eligible for family pension, family pension shall be payable to parents for life.”
Also read: Family pension rules for widows: Centre explains who gets pension when deceased pensioner had two wives
Clarification on enhanced family pension rules
The DoPPW issued the clarification after receiving several references seeking guidance on the payment of enhanced family pension to parents falling under Categories D and E of the 1939 rules and Categories C and D of the 2023 rules.
As per the existing provisions, when a government servant dies unmarried or as a widower without children, the dependent parents are eligible for enhanced family pension at 75% of the last pay drawn if both are alive. If only one parent survives, the pension is reduced to 60% of the last pay drawn. The same provision applies under the revised 2023 rules, where the pension is paid without reference to the parents’ income from other sources.
No provision earlier for dual life certificates
The department noted that, till now, there was no explicit provision in CCS (Pension) Rules for the submission of life certificates by both parents. Consequently, in some cases, the enhanced family pension continued to be paid at the higher 75% rate even after the death of one of the parents, leading to unintentional overpayments.
Annual life certificate submission from both parents made mandatory
To correct this, the DoPPW has decided that, henceforth, both parents will be required to submit separate life certificates each year to continue receiving enhanced family pension at the higher rate. The measure is intended to ensure timely updation of records and avoid any overpayment in cases where one parent passes away.
What is an Annual Life Certificate for pensioners?
Every government pensioner has to submit an Annual Life Certificate in the month of October and November to the authorised pension disbursing agencies like the bank for the continuation of pension. A Life Certificate can be submitted manually or digitally as per convenience of the pensioner.
To provide an additional exclusive window to very senior pensioners, the government had allowed the pensioners in the age group of 80 years and above to submit Annual Life Certificate from October 1, instead of November 1, onwards, every year.
Enhanced rate of family pension if govt servant dies after retirement
DoPPW has also issued clarification about the enhanced rate of family pension applicable in cases where a government employee dies after retirement.
According to Rule 50(2)(a)(iii) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, the family pension is payable at an enhanced rate for seven years or until the deceased employee reaches the age of 67, whichever occurs first.
The agency has underlined that this rule applies to all employees, regardless of the retirement age, even those who retire at 65, such as Central Health Service (CHS) doctors.
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