Important Updates on Family Pension for Central Government Employees — 27 October 2025
The DoPPW has issued two important Office Memorandums on 27 October 2025 that clarify:
- How enhanced family pension is to be calculated when a government servant dies after retirement; and
- How family pension is to be settled when a deceased servant/pensioner is survived by more than one wife.
1. Enhanced Family Pension — Clarification on Age and Duration
Enhanced family pension applies when a central government employee dies after retirement. The memorandum clarifies the duration for which the enhanced rate is payable under Rule 50(2)(a)(iii) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.
What is enhanced family pension?
When a government employee dies after retirement, eligible family members receive family pension at an enhanced rate for a limited period. The DoPPW confirms the rule and clarifies its uniform application.
Duration of enhanced family pension
Enhanced family pension is payable for the shorter of:
- Seven years from the date of death; or
- Until the date on which the deceased would have attained 67 years of age.
Uniform application across different retirement ages
The Department has made it clear that the rule is applied uniformly — whether the deceased retired at age 60, 65, or any other official retirement age applicable to that post. The calculation does not change with retirement age.
- If a person retired at 60 and died at 62 — enhanced pension is payable until the deceased would have turned 67 (i.e., 5 years).
- If a person retired at 65 and died at 66 — enhanced pension is payable until age 67 (i.e., 1 year).
- If a person retired at 60 and died at 61 — enhanced pension is payable for 6 years (until age 67), which is less than 7 years.
2. Family Pension Settlement — Cases Involving More Than One Wife
The second memorandum addresses distribution of family pension when a deceased government servant or pensioner is survived by more than one wife and reiterates legal and administrative positions.
Order of priority for family pension (Rule 50(6))
- Widow or widower (including post-retirement spouse and judicially separated spouse)
- Children (including adopted children, stepchildren, and children born after retirement)
- Dependent parents (including adoptive parents)
- Dependent siblings suffering from mental or physical disability
Definition of widow/widower
The explanation to Rule 50(6)(1) defines "widow" and "widower" as a spouse legally wedded to the deceased government servant or pensioner. Only legally wedded spouses are recognised for pension entitlement.
Distribution when there are multiple widows
Rule 50(8)(c) states that if the deceased is survived by more than one widow, the family pension shall be divided equally among them. If a widow dies or becomes ineligible, her share passes to her eligible children.
Legal and administrative position
The Department has emphasised that having a second wife while the first wife is alive is contrary to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and inconsistent with CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. Administrative authorities must:
- Apply the rules with proper scrutiny;
- Refer complex or disputed cases to the Department of Legal Affairs before taking final decisions;
- Ensure subordinate offices refer such cases to the officer dealing with pensioners' benefits in their Ministry/Department.
Key takeaways for central government employees
- The seven-year or until-age-67 rule applies uniformly, irrespective of retirement age.
- Enhanced pension gives higher support during the initial years after the employee's death; thereafter the normal rate applies.
- Only legally wedded spouses are eligible for family pension.
- If multiple widows are recognised, pension is shared equally between them; on their death or ineligibility, their share passes to their eligible children.
- Complex cases should involve legal consultation and careful administrative scrutiny to avoid disputes and incorrect decisions.
Why these clarifications matter
These Office Memorandums provide authoritative clarification on aspects of family pension that were causing uncertainty. Clear application of the rules helps pensioners and administrative authorities:
- Understand legal entitlements and avoid disputes;
- Process claims correctly and promptly;
- Plan family financial security with better certainty.
Are you a Central Government Employee?
Don’t stay in the dark! Vital updates on Service Rules, Pension policies, and your career are happening right now.
Add as Preferred Source on Google
Follow us to ensure our latest exclusive reports appear first in your Google Search and Discover feed.
Comments
Post a Comment