Family Pension Rule Changed: Parents Must Submit Life Certificate Every Year or Payments May Stop

The central government has revised key provisions of the family pension system, introducing a new compliance requirement for parents receiving pension after the death of a government employee. Under the updated rule, both surviving parents must submit their life certificate every year to continue receiving family pension at the higher rate of 75 percent. Failure to submit the certificate on time may lead to the pension being withheld.

What the New Order Says

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has issued a fresh clarification stating that parents who receive family pension after the death of their son or daughter (who served as a government employee) must now furnish their annual life certificate without fail. This change has come into effect immediately.

This measure aims to ensure accuracy in pension distribution, particularly in cases where the higher pension rate continues even after the death of one parent.

Why Is Enhanced Family Pension Given?

Under the CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023, family pension is sanctioned to parents if:

• The deceased government employee was unmarried, widowed, or divorced, and

• Had no surviving children.

In such cases:

• Both surviving parents together receive 75% of the employee’s entitled pension.

• If only one parent is alive, the rate reduces to 60%.

The pension is payable even if the parents have other sources of income.

What Has Changed Now?

Earlier, the CCS (Pension) Rules did not mandate life certificates from both parents. As a result, in certain instances, the pension office continued to disburse the enhanced 75 percent rate even after the death of one parent due to unavailable or outdated records.

The new clarification addresses this gap:

• Both parents must submit an annual life certificate.

• Only then will the enhanced family pension at 75 percent continue.

• If one parent has passed away, the pension office will revise the rate to 60 percent accordingly.

This update is expected to improve accuracy, prevent errors, and ensure the correct amount reaches the rightful beneficiary.

Impact on Pensioners

Parents receiving family pension will now be required to:

• Submit a life certificate every year, preferably before the due date.

• Ensure that both parents submit the certificate to continue getting the increased 75 percent rate.

• Understand that if one parent passes away, the pension office will reduce the pension to 60 percent.

The government has instructed all departments to disseminate this information widely so beneficiaries do not miss the requirement.

Deadline for Life Certificate Submission

All pensioners must submit their life certificate by 30 November each year.
If they miss the deadline:

• Pension payments may be paused from December onwards.

• Payments will resume only after the life certificate is submitted and verified.

The revised family pension rules aim to bring more fairness, precision, and updated record-keeping in pension disbursement across departments.