Centre's New Rule for Women Employee Pension -Women Employees Family Pension update

As opposed to the previous practice of nominating one's spouse for a family pension, the government has recently modified an enduring regulation that permits female central employees to designate their son or daughter.

Centre allows woman employees family pension nomination:

The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare modifies the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, in alignment with the women's empowerment policy. New guidelines for family pension nomination grants female government employees the privilege of designating their child or children for family pension benefits prior to their spouse.

In a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on January 29, 2024, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW) has amended the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. This modification of government decision on family pension nomination permits female government employees or pensioners to provide family pensions to the child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse.

What norm was in place previously?

Historically, only the spouse of a deceased government employee or pensioner was eligible to receive a family pension; subsequent to the spouse's demise or ineligibility, other family members became eligible.

What does the new rule entail?

In lieu of their spouse, the recently enacted amendment permits female employees or retirees to file for a family pension in the name of their qualifying child or children upon their own demise.

How to designate one or more offspring for a family pension as a female government employee as per enhanced benefits for woman employees pension

Per the circular of new guidelines for family pension nomination, "Concerning the ongoing proceedings, the DoP&PW stated in an office memorandum that a female government employee or pensioner is required to submit a written request to the relevant Head of Office, specifying that in the event of her demise, family pension benefits shall be bestowed upon her eligible child or children prior to her spouse." In the event that the female government employee or pensioner decease during the course of the proceedings, the appropriate amount of the family pension will be spent.