New Rule: Both Parents Must Submit Life Certificates for Enhanced Family Pension
Important Update for Central Government Pensioners
Official Document Details
Issuing Authority: Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO)
Document No.: CPAO/IT&Tech/NPS/22 Vol-IV/2025-26/6435/55
Date of Issue: 18th November 2025
Reference OM: 1/11/2025-P&PW(F)(11190) dated 28th October 2025
Subject: Submission of Life Certificates by both parents for continuation of enhanced family pension
⚠️ Important Update
The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare has issued new guidelines requiring both parents to submit life certificates annually to continue receiving enhanced family pension at 75% rate.
What is the New Rule?
The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) has issued an important clarification regarding the submission of life certificates for parents receiving enhanced family pension under Categories 'D' & 'E' of CCS (EOP) Rules, 1939 and Categories 'C' & 'D' of CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023.
Key Change: For continuation of enhanced family pension at the rate of 75% of the pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant, both parents will now be required to submit their life certificates every year.
Why This Change?
Previously, there was no specific provision for submission of life certificates by both parents in CCS (Pension) Rules for receiving family pension at the enhanced rate. This led to situations where:
- Life certificates were not being submitted by both parents
- Enhanced family pension continued at the higher rate (75%) even after the death of one parent
- This resulted in overpayment of pension in some cases
The new rule aims to avoid overpayment in case of demise of one of the parents and ensure that pension rates are adjusted correctly.
Understanding Enhanced Family Pension Rates
| Situation | Pension Rate | Applicable Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents are alive | 75% of pay last drawn | Category D & E (1939 Rules) Category C & D (2023 Rules) |
| Only one parent is alive | 60% of pay last drawn | Category D & E (1939 Rules) Category C & D (2023 Rules) |
When Does Enhanced Family Pension Apply to Parents?
Under CCS (EOP) Rules, 1939 - Categories 'D' and 'E':
"When the Government servant dies as a bachelor or as a widower without children, dependent pension shall be admissible to the parents without reference to pecuniary circumstances, at the rate of 75% of pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant for both parents and at the rate of 60% of pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant for a single parent and on the death of one parent dependent pension at the latter rate shall be admissible to the surviving parent."
Under CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023 - Categories 'C' and 'D':
"Where a deceased Government servant is not survived by a widow or widower or a child eligible for family pension or if the widow or widower and all children cease to be eligible for family pension, family pension shall be payable to parents for life under Category C and Category 'D', at the rate of seventy five per cent of the family pension entitled to a widow if both parents are alive and at the rate of sixty per cent of the family pension entitled to a widow if only one parent is alive."
Important Note:
- Family pension to parents in Category 'C' & Category 'D' is payable without reference to the amount of their income from other sources
- Family pension is payable to the mother of the deceased Government servant, failing which to the father
- This applies when the deceased Government servant is not survived by a widow/widower or eligible children
What You Need to Do
If you or your parents are receiving enhanced family pension under the above categories, please ensure:
- Annual Life Certificate Submission: Both parents must submit their life certificates every year
- Timely Submission: Submit certificates on time to avoid any disruption in pension payments
- Notify Changes: In case of death of one parent, immediately inform the pension disbursing authority
- Rate Adjustment: After the death of one parent, the pension rate will be adjusted from 75% to 60%
Implementation
All Centralised Pension Processing Centres (CPPCs) of Authorised Banks have been instructed to:
- Strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW)
- Ensure that life certificates are obtained from both parents every year
- Continue enhanced family pension only after receiving life certificates from both parents
Who Should Follow This Rule?
This rule applies to:
- Parents receiving enhanced family pension under Category 'D' & 'E' of CCS (EOP) Rules, 1939
- Parents receiving enhanced family pension under Category 'C' & 'D' of CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023
- Cases where the deceased Government servant died as a bachelor or widower without children
- Cases where no widow/widower or eligible children survive the deceased Government servant
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