The family pension rules after the death of a pensioner in the Central Government are designed to ensure financial stability for the dependents of government employees. These rules are governed primarily under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, with periodic modifications by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW). In recent years, the Government of India has relaxed certain provisions to make family pension more accessible, timely, and transparent.
In this article, we will explain the latest family pension rules, eligibility, recent relaxations, and the process to claim benefits.
What is Family Pension?
Family Pension is a monthly financial support provided to the surviving family members of a deceased central government employee or pensioner. The objective is to safeguard the dependent family from financial hardship after the death of the breadwinner.
It applies in two cases:
- Death of a government employee while in service.
- Death of a retired pensioner already receiving pension.
Eligibility for Family Pension
Family pension is granted to specific family members in a predefined order of priority. According to Rule 54 of CCS (Pension) Rules, the beneficiaries include:
- Spouse: The widow or widower is the primary beneficiary.
- Children: Sons (up to 25 years, unmarried, and not earning), unmarried/widowed/divorced daughters.
- Disabled Dependents: Children with disabilities, regardless of age or marital status.
- Dependent Parents: In certain cases, when no spouse or eligible child survives.
Key Family Pension Rules After Death of Pensioner
1. Immediate Sanction of Provisional Family Pension
Earlier, families had to wait for lengthy documentation and verification before receiving pension. To reduce delays, the Government relaxed Rule 80-A of CCS Pension Rules in July 2020.
Now, if the family submits Form 14 (claim form), death certificate, and bank details, the Head of Office can sanction provisional family pension immediately without waiting for forwarding the case to Pay & Accounts Office.
2. Pension Payable Irrespective of Service Length
According to Rule 54(2)(ii), family pension is payable even if the employee dies before completing one year of service, provided they were declared medically fit at the time of joining.
This ensures that even newly recruited employees’ families are not left unsupported.
3. Maximum Admissible Family Pension
The provisional pension amount sanctioned should not exceed the maximum family pension admissible under Rule 54. Generally, family pension is calculated as:
- 30% of the last drawn basic pay, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum limits.
Additionally, family pensioners are entitled to Dearness Relief (DR), which is revised twice a year in January and July.
4. Death Gratuity Linked to Service Length
While family pension is independent of service length, death gratuity depends on the number of years of qualifying service completed by the deceased. Any outstanding government dues are adjusted from gratuity before release.
5. Duration of Provisional Family Pension
The provisional pension is initially sanctioned for six months from the date following the death of the employee/pensioner. It can be extended further in blocks of six months if the final Pension Payment Order (PPO) is delayed. Even after the final PPO is issued, the provisional family pension can continue for two additional months to ensure no payment gap occurs.
6. Special Rules for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
In CAPF cases where death occurs in service, provisional family pension may be sanctioned immediately without waiting for the final Operation Casualty Report, ensuring financial security to dependents of uniformed personnel.
Relaxations in Family Pension Rules – Key Benefits
The Government’s decision to relax pension rules brings several benefits to pensioners’ families:
- Faster Access to Funds: Immediate sanction of provisional pension prevents financial distress.
- Simplified Process: Reduced dependency on multiple forms and lengthy verification.
- Universal Coverage: Family pension eligibility even if service length is less than one year.
- Support for Vulnerable Dependents: Lifetime pension for disabled children and widowed/divorced daughters.
Step-by-Step Process to Claim Family Pension
- Submit Application: Fill and submit Form 14, along with death certificate and bank account details, to the Head of Office of the deceased employee.
- Verification: Head of Office verifies claim authenticity.
- Sanction of Provisional Pension: Provisional family pension is sanctioned immediately without waiting for complete case processing.
- Forwarding to Pay & Accounts Office (PAO): The case with complete documents (Form 18, service details, etc.) is forwarded for finalization.
- Final PPO Issued: The PAO and Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) process and issue the final Pension Payment Order.
- Regular Family Pension Disbursed: The designated bank starts paying family pension along with Dearness Relief.
Common Challenges Faced by Family Pensioners
Despite rule relaxations, family pensioners often face:
- Delays in document verification
- Lack of awareness of updated rules
- Issues with bank linking and PPO mismatches
- Dependency on offices for approval
The government has been issuing circulars to minimize such delays and ensure smooth disbursement.
Importance of Family Pension
Family pension serves as a lifeline for the surviving dependents of central government employees. It not only prevents financial distress but also acknowledges the service and contribution of the deceased employee to the nation.
The relaxation of rules under Rule 80-A demonstrates the government’s intent to ensure timely support, transparency, and compassion in pension administration.
Conclusion
The family pension rules after the death of a central government pensioner have been designed to provide immediate and sustained financial relief to dependents. With the relaxation of provisions under CCS Pension Rules, the process has become faster and simpler. Dependents now receive provisional family pension on priority, ensuring that no family is left without support during their most difficult times. For the latest updates, beneficiaries are advised to regularly check official notifications from the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) and consult their Head of Office or Pension Disbursing Bank for guidance.
