📰 Key Updates on Your Pension: A Guide to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021
The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW) has issued several Office Memorandums (O.M.s) on October 30, 2025, clarifying important provisions of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. These rules are vital for all Central Government employees, retirees, and their families.
Here is a comprehensive overview of these key rules.
1. Additional Pension for Senior Pensioners (Age 80+)
Under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, additional pension or family pension is payable to retired employees or family pensioners after they complete 80 years of age or more.
The rate of additional pension is as follows:
| Age of Pensioner / Family Pensioner | Rate of Additional Pension / Compassionate Allowance |
|---|---|
| From 80 years to less than 85 years | 20% of basic pension/family pension/compassionate allowance |
| From 85 years to less than 90 years | 30% of basic pension/family pension/compassionate allowance |
| From 90 years to less than 95 years | 40% of basic pension/family pension/compassionate allowance |
| From 95 years to less than 100 years | 50% of basic pension/family pension/compassionate allowance |
| 100 years or more | 100% of basic pension/family pension/compassionate allowance |
Important Clarification: This additional amount is payable from the first day of the calendar month in which it falls due.
Example: A pensioner born on August 20th, 1942, becomes eligible for the 20% additional pension from August 1st, 2022. A pensioner born on August 1st, 1942, is also eligible from August 1st, 2022.
2. Pension and Gratuity on Compulsory Retirement
Rule 44 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 provides for employees who are compulsorily retired:
- With 10+ Years Qualifying Service: If a Government servant is compulsorily retired after completing at least ten years of qualifying service, they are eligible for a compulsory retirement pension. The amount will be a portion or percentage of the superannuation pension, as sanctioned by the competent authority.
- With Less than 10 Years Service: If the employee is compulsorily retired before completing ten years of qualifying service, they are eligible for a compulsory retirement service gratuity. The amount will be a portion or percentage of the superannuation service gratuity, as sanctioned by the competent authority.
3. Compassionate Allowance (After Dismissal or Removal)
For cases involving dismissal or removal from service, Rule 44(5) outlines the provisions for compassionate allowance, which is sanctioned under Rule 41:
- With 10+ Years Qualifying Service: If dismissed or removed after at least ten years of service, the compassionate allowance will be a portion or percentage of the pension that would have been admissible on superannuation.
- With Less than 10 Years Service: If dismissed or removed before completing ten years of service, the compassionate allowance will be a portion or percentage of the service gratuity that would have been admissible.
4. Rule 10: Employment Under a Government Outside India
A specific rule applies to pensioners who were members of a Central Service, Group 'A' immediately before retirement.
- Prior Permission Required: If such a pensioner wishes to accept employment under any Government outside India, they must obtain previous permission from the Central Government.
- Penalty for Non-Compliance: No pension is payable to a pensioner who accepts such employment without proper permission. This penalty applies for the period of employment or for a longer period as the Government may direct.
- Exception: If the employee was already permitted to take up the foreign employment during their leave preparatory to retirement, no subsequent permission is needed to continue it after retirement.
5. Revision of Pension After Authorisation (Rule 66)
An important protection for pensioners is provided under Rule 66(2) regarding revisions.
- No Disadvantageous Revision: Once a pension or family pension is authorized after final assessment, it shall not be revised to the disadvantage of the pensioner or family pensioner.
- Exception (Clerical Error): The only exception is if a revision is necessary due to the detection of a clerical error. The administrative Ministry or Department decides if an error is clerical or not.
- Time Limit: If a clerical error is found more than two years after the authorization date, any revision to the pensioner's disadvantage cannot be ordered without the concurrence of the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare.
- Recovery of Excess Payment: If an excess payment is made (and it was not due to misrepresentation by the pensioner), the administrative Ministry will consult the Department of Expenditure to see if the recovery can be waived. If not waived, the pensioner will be served a notice to refund the excess amount within two months. If they fail to comply, the Head of Office can order the amount to be adjusted in instalments from future pension payments.
6. Rule 5: General Claims and Defining the Last Working Day
Rule 5 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, clarifies two fundamental points:
- Applicable Rules: Any claim to pension or family pension is regulated by the provisions of the rules that are in force at the time the Government servant retires, is discharged, resigns, or dies.
- Last Working Day: The day the Government servant retires, is discharged, or resigns is treated as their last completed working day. The date of death is also treated as a completed working day. If the employee was on leave or under suspension immediately before retirement or death, that day is considered part of the leave or suspension period.
All Ministries and Departments have been requested to bring these provisions to the notice of all concerned for compliance. It is essential for all employees and pensioners to be aware of these rules as they directly impact pension, gratuity, and post-retirement procedures.
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