NPS to UPS: Government employees can now fill out the form offline, September 30 is the last date; what are the benefits of UPS?

There's important news for government employees regarding retirement planning. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has urged central government employees to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) on time and submit their forms before the September 30, 2025, deadline. Following complaints of technical glitches on the online portal, offline submission has now been extended.

What is UPS, and when did it begin?
UPS was implemented on April 1, 2025. This scheme is an alternative to the National Pension System (NPS) and provides guaranteed pensions to employees. Note that if an employee remains in the NPS after September 30, they will not be able to switch to UPS.

How many employees have joined so far?
So far, more than 31,500 central government employees have opted for UPS. The government has also provided a one-time option to return to NPS. Employees can exercise this option one year before retirement or three months before voluntary retirement.

Who can opt for UPS?
Employees who joined between April 1 and August 31, 2025. Those who were previously in NPS but now wish to join UPS. Those who are not under suspension or disciplinary action.

UPS offers these significant benefits:
Guaranteed pension: 50% of the average basic pay for the last 12 months after 25 years of service.
Minimum pension: At least ₹10,000 per month (after 10 years of service).
Family pension: 60% of the final pension to the spouse.
Dearness Allowance (DA): Inflation-related adjustment, similar to that given to working employees.
Lumsum benefit: 10% of the salary for every six months of completed service.
Plus gratuity, tax benefits, and other benefits under CCS rules.

NPS vs. UPS
UPS benefits from a guaranteed pension and inflation protection, while NPS funds are linked to the market, where returns can be higher but are not guaranteed. PFRDA has clearly advised employees to fill out the form promptly and use the offline facility in case of online difficulties. This will ensure that no government employee misses out on a secure retirement option.

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