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Losing a loved one, be it your spouse, parent or sibling, who served in the Indian Armed Forces is nothing short of an emotional and life-changing moment. For their families, especially widows and their dependents, like old parents and kids, it's also a time filled with serious practical challenges, understanding what support is available and how you can access it.
When a defence personnel passes away, the family pension is meant to support those who were financially dependent on them. Here is a list of people eligible for defence family pension after the death of the defence personnel, as per the current rules set by the Ministry of Defence and the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules:
There are two main types of family pension, depending on how and when the defence personnel passed away. Here is a quick outline for your understanding:
This applies when the death is not related to military service, usually after retirement or due to natural causes during service.
This is given when the death is related to service, such as during war, operations, training, or if the person dies within 7 years of discharge due to a service-connected disability.
First we will know what counts as Reckonable Emoluments? Well, these are the parts of your salary that are used to calculate your pension. They include:
These elements together form the base for working out your pension amount.
Next, we will know What are Enhanced Rates of Pension? Enhanced pension means you get a higher pension amount for a certain period. Here's when and how it applies:
As per a government order dated 8 March 2010, the pension structure for PBORs (Personnel Below Officer Rank) who retired before 1 January 2006 was revised.
Here is how the pension is calculated:
Then add:
At last the total of this will be your national pay.
(Or from the date family pension begins, whichever is later)
|
Rank / Designation |
Group |
Minimum Family Pension (INR) |
|
Subedar Major |
Group I / X |
5,250 |
|
Subedar Major |
Other Groups |
4,830 |
|
Naik |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Subedar |
Group I / X |
5,190 |
|
Havildar |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Subedar |
Other Groups |
4,770 |
|
Sub / Honorary Lieutenant & Sub Maj / Hony Lt |
- |
8,100 |
|
Sepoy |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Sub / Honorary Captain & Sub Maj / Hony Capt |
- |
8,310 |
|
Naib Subedar |
Group I / X |
5,070 |
|
Naib Subedar |
Other Groups |
4,650 |
|
Reservist |
- |
3,500 |
Notes:
Under One Rank One Pension (OROP), family pension rates are revised every five years
Well you get quite a few benefits:
Along with these you also get many other benefits to make your life easier after losing your loved one in the armed forces.
If you're 80 years or older, you're entitled to extra pension every month, starting from 1st January 2006. This applies to both pensioners and family pensioners.
|
Age |
Extra Pension (% of Basic Pension) |
|
80 to less than 85 years |
20% extra |
|
85 to less than 90 years |
30% extra |
|
90 to less than 95 years |
40% extra |
|
95 to less than 100 years |
50% extra |
|
100 years and above |
100% extra |
This additional amount is calculated on your revised basic pension, not including Dearness Relief.
The Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA) checks your records to figure out when to start paying this extra pension. If your Date of Birth is clearly mentioned in your Pension Payment Order (PPO) or other records, you will start getting the extra pension automatically, from the first of the month after you cross the milestone age.
When a retired pensioner goes missing, the family may be eligible to receive family pension. However, there’s a specific process that you need to follow.
In case the pensioner is reported missing, the family pension can be availed from the date the FIR is filed with the police. However, it is possible if:
To start this process, the family must provide the following to the Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA), usually a bank or treasury:
Then, the DA will go ahead and forward these provided documents to the Pension Sanctioning Authority, along with:
The family pension will be approved after 1 year from the FIR date, but when approved, payment is made from the original FIR date, not after the one-year wait.
If the pensioner is eventually declared presumed dead (either by the Ministry or a court), the legal heir will be eligible to receive the Life Time Arrears, i.e., unpaid pension up to the official date of presumed death.
When the defence pensioner passes away, here’s what the family needs to do to apply for the family pension:
Step 1- Report the Death: Inform the Record Office as soon as possible. This is the first step to begin the family pension process.
Step 2 - Collect Necessary Documents: Make sure to collect the following documents:
The death certificate, issued by the local authority
The official family pension application forms, available from the Record Office or online
Step 3 - Submit to Pension Sanctioning Authority (PSA): Send the filled forms along with the death certificate to the Pension Sanctioning Authority. They will process your claim and issue a new Pension Payment Order (PPO) in the name of the eligible family member (widow, widower, etc.).
Step 4 - Bank Starts the Pension: Once the PPO is issued, the bank or pension disbursing agency will begin monthly family pension payments.
Note: For additional pension for senior citizens over 80 years of age, make sure to submit their age proof.
The government has made everything simple and convenient, so now you don’t have to wait in line or make repeated visits. You can make use these online platforms:
This one is managed by the Ministry of Defence. You can do it just by visiting the SPARSH portal. There you can avail the following facilities:
The other option you have is CGDA Portal. You can go to the CGDA website and get the following services:
The Ministry of Defence has made everything easier for the defence personnels and their families. Now, no more standing in long lines or visiting different govt. Offices just to get your pension
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Losing a loved one, be it your spouse, parent or sibling, who served in the Indian Armed Forces is nothing short of an emotional and life-changing moment. For their families, especially widows and their dependents, like old parents and kids, it's also a time filled with serious practical challenges, understanding what support is available and how you can access it.
When a defence personnel passes away, the family pension is meant to support those who were financially dependent on them. Here is a list of people eligible for defence family pension after the death of the defence personnel, as per the current rules set by the Ministry of Defence and the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules:
There are two main types of family pension, depending on how and when the defence personnel passed away. Here is a quick outline for your understanding:
This applies when the death is not related to military service, usually after retirement or due to natural causes during service.
This is given when the death is related to service, such as during war, operations, training, or if the person dies within 7 years of discharge due to a service-connected disability.
First we will know what counts as Reckonable Emoluments? Well, these are the parts of your salary that are used to calculate your pension. They include:
These elements together form the base for working out your pension amount.
Next, we will know What are Enhanced Rates of Pension? Enhanced pension means you get a higher pension amount for a certain period. Here's when and how it applies:
As per a government order dated 8 March 2010, the pension structure for PBORs (Personnel Below Officer Rank) who retired before 1 January 2006 was revised.
Here is how the pension is calculated:
Then add:
At last the total of this will be your national pay.
(Or from the date family pension begins, whichever is later)
|
Rank / Designation |
Group |
Minimum Family Pension (INR) |
|
Subedar Major |
Group I / X |
5,250 |
|
Subedar Major |
Other Groups |
4,830 |
|
Naik |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Subedar |
Group I / X |
5,190 |
|
Havildar |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Subedar |
Other Groups |
4,770 |
|
Sub / Honorary Lieutenant & Sub Maj / Hony Lt |
- |
8,100 |
|
Sepoy |
All Groups |
3,500 |
|
Sub / Honorary Captain & Sub Maj / Hony Capt |
- |
8,310 |
|
Naib Subedar |
Group I / X |
5,070 |
|
Naib Subedar |
Other Groups |
4,650 |
|
Reservist |
- |
3,500 |
Notes:
Under One Rank One Pension (OROP), family pension rates are revised every five years
Well you get quite a few benefits:
Along with these you also get many other benefits to make your life easier after losing your loved one in the armed forces.
If you're 80 years or older, you're entitled to extra pension every month, starting from 1st January 2006. This applies to both pensioners and family pensioners.
|
Age |
Extra Pension (% of Basic Pension) |
|
80 to less than 85 years |
20% extra |
|
85 to less than 90 years |
30% extra |
|
90 to less than 95 years |
40% extra |
|
95 to less than 100 years |
50% extra |
|
100 years and above |
100% extra |
This additional amount is calculated on your revised basic pension, not including Dearness Relief.
The Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA) checks your records to figure out when to start paying this extra pension. If your Date of Birth is clearly mentioned in your Pension Payment Order (PPO) or other records, you will start getting the extra pension automatically, from the first of the month after you cross the milestone age.
When a retired pensioner goes missing, the family may be eligible to receive family pension. However, there’s a specific process that you need to follow.
In case the pensioner is reported missing, the family pension can be availed from the date the FIR is filed with the police. However, it is possible if:
To start this process, the family must provide the following to the Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA), usually a bank or treasury:
Then, the DA will go ahead and forward these provided documents to the Pension Sanctioning Authority, along with:
The family pension will be approved after 1 year from the FIR date, but when approved, payment is made from the original FIR date, not after the one-year wait.
If the pensioner is eventually declared presumed dead (either by the Ministry or a court), the legal heir will be eligible to receive the Life Time Arrears, i.e., unpaid pension up to the official date of presumed death.
When the defence pensioner passes away, here’s what the family needs to do to apply for the family pension:
Step 1- Report the Death: Inform the Record Office as soon as possible. This is the first step to begin the family pension process.
Step 2 - Collect Necessary Documents: Make sure to collect the following documents:
The death certificate, issued by the local authority
The official family pension application forms, available from the Record Office or online
Step 3 - Submit to Pension Sanctioning Authority (PSA): Send the filled forms along with the death certificate to the Pension Sanctioning Authority. They will process your claim and issue a new Pension Payment Order (PPO) in the name of the eligible family member (widow, widower, etc.).
Step 4 - Bank Starts the Pension: Once the PPO is issued, the bank or pension disbursing agency will begin monthly family pension payments.
Note: For additional pension for senior citizens over 80 years of age, make sure to submit their age proof.
The government has made everything simple and convenient, so now you don’t have to wait in line or make repeated visits. You can make use these online platforms:
This one is managed by the Ministry of Defence. You can do it just by visiting the SPARSH portal. There you can avail the following facilities:
The other option you have is CGDA Portal. You can go to the CGDA website and get the following services:
The Ministry of Defence has made everything easier for the defence personnels and their families. Now, no more standing in long lines or visiting different govt. Offices just to get your pension
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