Eligibility Age for Additional Pension Benefits – Information on Parliamentary Standing Committee Report

Eligibility Age for Additional Pension Benefits – Information on Parliamentary Standing Committee Report – The Indian Government’s Ministry of Personnel addressed Unstarred Question No. 2991 concerning the eligibility age for additional pension benefits. The current eligibility is set at 80 years, justified by increased health-related needs of older pensioners. Recommendations to lower this age to 65, as suggested by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, have been reviewed but not pursued further. The additional pension is automatically disbursed, with measures in place to ensure timely payments. To counter inflation, dearness relief applicable to pensions is provided. The government is also considering extending these benefits to state pensioners, although no specific timeline has been established.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2991
(ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025)

ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR ADDITIONAL PENSION BENEFITS

2991. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:
SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the rationale behind setting the eligibility age for additional pension benefits at 80;

(b) whether the Government is considering to reduce this age threshold to 65 years as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Pensioner’s grievances and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of Central Government pensioners expected to benefit from the additional pension scheme and the estimated annual expenditure likely to be incurred under this scheme;

(d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that pensioners receive their additional pension benefits in a timely and transparent manner and there are no delays or discrepancies in the payment process;

(e) whether the Government is considering to extend the additional pension benefits to State Government pensioners and other categories of retirees and if so, the timeline for implementing this extension; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the concerns that the additional pension benefits may not keep pace with inflation and the mechanisms put in place to ensure that the benefits are indexed to rising living costs?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (f): Government has on the recommendation of the 6th CPC approved the quantum of additional pension of 20% on attaining the age of 80 years, 30% on attaining the age of 85 years, 40% on attaining the age of 90 years, 50% on attaining the age of 95 years and 100% on attaining the age of 100 years, on the rationale that the older pensioners require a better deal because their needs, especially those relating to health, increase with age. The recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for amendments in additional pension in its 110th report dated 10.12.2021 have been duly examined in the Government and an action taken report was submitted on 06.06.2022.The Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 120th report dated 08.12.2022 noted the action taken report and observed that the Committee do not wish to pursue this matter for now.

The additional pension is automatically paid to the pensioner/family pensioner by the Pension Disbursing Authorities/Banks as soon as it becomes due. The instructions/guidelines, as issued by the Government from time to time, are there in place ensuring scrupulous and timely payment of additional pension. The grant of additional pension is age based only. To address the concern regarding inflation and rising living costs, Dearness Relief equivalent to Dearness Allowance is payable to the pensioners/family pensioners at such rate as Central Government may specify from time to time. The dearness relief is applicable on additional pension also.

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