New Delhi, Aug 24: Union Cabinet on Saturday approved an assured 50 per cent of salary as pension for 23 lakh government employees who joined service under the National Pension System (NPS).
The National Pension System is applicable for government employees joining the service after April 1, 2004. It was based on the premise of contribution rather than defined benefit applicable for employees prior to the NPS.
Announcing Cabinet decisions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) announced that government employees will now be eligible to get 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before the superannuation as pension.
For this full pension or 50 per cent of pay as the pension, he said, the eligibility service length will be 25 years.
- Assured Pension: 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years
- Proportionate for lesser service up to a minimum of 10 years of service
- Assured Family Pension @60% of pension of the employee immediately before her/his demise
- Assured Minimum Pension will be Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after minimum 10 years of service.
- Inflation Indexation: On assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension Dearness relief based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-W) as in case of serving employees.
- Lump-sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity
- 1/10th of monthly emolument (pay + DA) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service
- This payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension
NPS subscribers can now opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which offers assured pension applicable from the beginning of the next financial year.
According to the current NPS, the employees contribute 10 per cent while the central government contributes 14 per cent, which would be increased to 18 per cent with the UPS.
Last year, the finance ministry set up a committee under Finance Secretary TV Somanathan to review the pension scheme for government employees and suggest any changes, if needed, in light of the existing framework and structure of the National Pension System.
Several non-BJP-ruled states have decided to revert to the DA-linked Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and also employee organisations in some other states have raised demand for the same.
Briefing media, Cabinet Secretary-designate TV Somanathan said the new scheme is applicable from April 1, 2025.
The benefits of the Unified Pension Scheme are applicable for those retired and retiring till March 31, 2025, with arrears, he added.
Inputs with PTI
