Family Pension Rule Changed: Parents Receiving Pension Must Submit Life Certificate by November 30
The Central Government has announced a major change in the family pension rules applicable to the parents of deceased government employees. Under the new provision, if a government employee passes away and their parents are receiving family pension, both parents must now submit their Life Certificate every year. This rule has been introduced to ensure that pension payments are made correctly and only to eligible beneficiaries.
Why This Change Was Needed
Earlier, the government did not have an effective system to verify whether both parents of a deceased employee were alive. As a result, in several cases, the family pension continued at 75% of the eligible rate even after the death of one parent. According to the pension rules, once one of the parents passes away, the pension rate should be reduced to 60% for the surviving parent. This discrepancy led to overpayments and accounting issues, prompting the government to tighten the rules.
New Family Pension Rules Explained
As per the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023, if a deceased government employee has no surviving spouse or children, the parents become eligible for the family pension benefit.
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If both parents are alive, they will receive pension at 75% of the admissible rate.
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If only one parent is alive, the surviving parent will receive pension at 60% of the rate.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) under the Ministry of Finance has made it mandatory for both parents to submit their personal Life Certificate every November. If one of them passes away, only the surviving parent needs to submit the certificate from the following year, after which the pension will automatically be adjusted to 60%.
Deadline and Penalty for Non-Submission
If the Life Certificate is not submitted by November 30, pension payments will be temporarily stopped from December onward. Once the certificate is submitted, the pension will be resumed; however, the arrears for the suspended period will not be paid. This step aims to improve transparency and prevent misuse of funds.
How to Submit the Life Certificate
To make the process easier for pensioners, the government has provided multiple options:
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Digital Submission via Jeevan Pramaan App – Pensioners can submit their Life Certificate online using the Jeevan Pramaan app, which requires Aadhaar authentication and face recognition.
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Through Banks and Post Offices – Pensioners can visit their pension-disbursing bank or post office to submit the certificate in person.
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Doorstep Facility for Senior Citizens – For those unable to travel, the government has introduced a doorstep service, allowing officials to collect Life Certificates directly from the pensioner’s residence.
These convenient modes ensure that even elderly parents can complete the process smoothly and on time.
Government’s Objective Behind the Rule
The main purpose of this reform is to ensure accuracy and fairness in pension distribution. According to the government, the 75% family pension granted to parents of deceased employees is intended to provide financial stability and emotional support. However, to maintain transparency and avoid fraudulent claims, the annual verification through Life Certificates is now mandatory.
By enforcing this rule, the government aims to make the pension system more accountable, transparent, and beneficiary-oriented, ensuring that payments reach the rightful recipients on time.
