New pension rule: Separate life certificate needed for parents of deceased govt workers to receive higher pension amount

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) under the Government of India(BHARAT) has released an important clarification about life certificate submission for parents who receive enhanced family pension under the CCS (EOP) Rules, 1939/2023. Under the new rule, both parents must now submit life certificates to continue receiving the enhanced rate of family pension.

Previously, parents did not have to provide any life certificate to receive this higher pension amount. The change has been introduced to avoid overpayment and ensure that pension payments are accurately adjusted when one of the parents passes away.

Enhanced family pension for parents:

According to Rule 12(5) of the CCS (EOP) Rules, 2023, parents of a deceased government employee are eligible for a family pension only if there is no surviving spouse or eligible child.

The pension rates are:

• 75% of the family pension — if both parents are alive
• 60% of the family pension — if only one parent survives

The pension is paid without considering any other income of the parents.

The memorandum noted that earlier, there was no requirement for both parents to submit life certificates under the CCS (Pension) Rules, leading to cases where families continued receiving 75% even after one parent’s death. The new clarification aims to rectify this issue and ensure fair and transparent pension disbursement.