Tuesday, November 12, 2013

General Pension Rules for Central Civil Pensioners by Pensioners Portal;FAQ on Pension Policy for Central Civil Pensioners, Clarifications issued as FAQ on Pension Procedure for Central Civil Pensioners

 
General Pension Rules for Central Civil Pensioners by Pensioners Portal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
(Central Civil Pensioners) 
(Last updated/Reviewed: 04.11.2013)
GENERAL 
D.5 Whether any Identity Card is issued to Pensioners?
Identity Card to Pensioners is issued by the respective Ministry/Department/Office. The format of Identity Card has been revised vide OM No 41/21/2000-P&PW(D) dated 25.7.2013. 

D.6 Is a Pensioners’ Identity Card (PIC) required to be issued to those who have been permanently absorbed in PSU/Autonomous Bodies? 
No. Instructions issued by this Department cover only the retired/retiring Central Government employees. On permanent absorption in a PSU , the employee severe their connections with the Government and are treated as employees of the PSU in which they are absorbed. 
D.7 Who will issue Pensioners’ Identity Cacenrd to Retired All India Service Officers? 
The pensioners’ Identity Card is issued by the Department in which the employee last worked. Therefore, in the case of IAS officer retiring while on Central deputation, the Identity Card may be issued by concerned Ministry / Department. In case of officer retiring from State Government, the Identity Card may be issued by the concerned State Government. 
D.8 Whether Pensioners’ Identity Card can be issued to retired employees covered under NPS 
The concerned Ministries / Departments may issue Pensioners’ Identity Card (PIC) to retired NPS employees in the format prescribed under OM No 41/21/2000-P&PW(D) dated 25.7.2013 .
FAQ on Pension Policy for Central Civil Pensioners
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
(Central Civil Pensioners) 
(Last updated/Reviewed: 04.11.2013)
PENSION POLICY
A.1 Which rules govern Civil Pension? 
Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,1972.

A.2 What is the formula for pension revision for pre-2006 pensioner/family pensioner? 
In terms of para 4.1 of OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 1.9.2008, the pension/family pension will be consolidated w.e.f. 1.1.2006 by adding together (i) The existing pension/family pension,(ii) Dearness Pension, where applicable, (iii)Dearness Relief @24% of basic Pension/Basic Family Pension plus dearness pension as admissible vide OM No.42/2/2006-P&PW(G) dated 5.4.2006 and (iv) Fitment weightage @40% of the existing pension/family pension. Where the existing pension at (i) includes the effect of merger of 50% of DR w.e.f. 1.4.2004, the existing pension for the purpose of fitment weightage will be re-calculated after excluding the merged DR of 50% from the pension. The amount so arrived at will be regarded as consolidated pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.1.2006. The fixation of pension will be subject to the provision that the revised pension, in no case shall be lower than 50% of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the Govt. servant retired. 


A.3 Whether all pre-2006 pensioners/family pensioners would get benefit under Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare O.M. NO.38/37/08- P&PW (A) dated 28.1.2013? 
In the O.M. dated 28.1.2013, the minimum pension of pre-2006 retirees in the respective pre-1996/pre 2006 pay scale has been revised with effect from 24.9.2012. This minimum pension shall be applicable in case retirement was after qualifying service of thirty-three years. In case qualifying service was less than thirty-three years, the amount of this minimum pension shall be reduced proportionately. There will be no change in the pension of those pre-2006 pensioners whose pension (as revised with effect from 1.1.2006) is 
already equal to or more than this minimum limit. In the case of family pensioner also the minimum family pension as mentioned in Col.10 of the Annexure to the OM dated 28.1.2013 shall be payable if the amount of family pension (w.e.f. 01.01.2006) is equal to or more than this minimum family pension, the same family pension shall continue to be paid 

A.4 What happens in case there is no change in pension under OM dated 28.1.2013? 
Even where there is no change in pension/family pension as a result of the issue of OM dated 28.1.2013, a revised authority for no change will be issued by the PAOs. 

A.5 Who is to be approached for revision of pension/family pension in terms of O.M. dated 28.1.2013. 
For revision of pension in terms of orders dated 28.1.2013, in cases where revision has already been done by PAOs consequent to 6th CPC, the revision may be affected at the level of PAOs. A copy of the revised authority may be sent to Head of Department (HOD)/Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO) for record. In cases where no revision has been effected, Head of Offices may follow normal procedure for revision of pension/family pension. 

A.6 What is the amount of minimum and maximum pension after Sixth CPC? 
The pension shall not be less than Rs.3500/- and shall not be more than 50% of the highest pay in Government. 

A.7 Is Personal Pension discontinued with effect from 1.1.1996 ? 
Yes.
A.8 When can pension be withheld or withdrawn? 
Under Rule 8 of CCS (Pension) Rule, Future good conduct is an implied condition of every grant of pension and its continuance under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. The pension or a part thereof can be withheld or 
withdrawn in such cases where a pensioner is convicted of a serious crime or found guilty of a serious or a grave act of misconduct/negligence after retirement, or during the period of service, including the service rendered upon re-employment after retirement. Under Rule 9, the President reserves the right of withdrawing pension/gratuity in full or in part or for ordering recovery from pension or gratuity or any pecuniary loss caused to the Govt., if, in any departmental/judicial proceedings, if the pensioner is found guilty of grave misconduct/negligence during the period of service, including service rendered upon re-employment after retirement. 

A.9 From where can we download the pension /nomination Forms ? 
All forms are available at the website of Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare. 

A.10 When can a Government servant apply for voluntary retirement? 
Under Rule 48, a Government servant can apply for voluntary retirement after completion of 30 years of qualifying service. Under Rule 48-A, he can apply for VR after completion of qualifying service of 20 years. Under FR 56 (k) he can apply for VR an attaining the age of 50 years (for Gr. A & B) and 55 years (in other cases). 

A.11 Whether older pensioners will get higher rate of pension? 
Yes, from 1.1.2006, the quantum of pension/family pension available to old pensioners/family pensioners has been increased as follows:- O.M.No. 38/37/08- P&PW(A) dated 2.9.2008 .
Age of pensioner/family pensionerAdditional quantum of pension
From 80 years to less than 85 years 20% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 85 years to less than 90 years 30% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 90 years to less than 95 years 40% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 95 years to less than 100 years 50% of revised basic pension/family pension
100 years or more 100% of revised basic pension/family pension

A.12 Is additional pension admissible to old family pensioners? 
Yes, the rates related to additional pension as applicable in the case of old pensioners hold good for family pensioners, as well. 
A.13 Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service for computation of pension is still in force? 
The benefit of adding years of qualifying service for computation of pension/related benefits has been withdrawn w.e.f. 01.01.2006. 
A.14 Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service has been withdrawn for calculating gratuity also? 
Yes, w.e.f. 01.01.2006. 
A.15 Whether in the case of pensioners who are in receipt of more than one pension, the floor ceiling of Rs.3500/- will apply to the total of all pensions taken together? 
It was clarified in Deptt. of Pension & PW’s OM No.38/38/02-P&PW(A) dated 23.4.2003 that in respect of civil and military pension, the floor ceiling taking the two pensions together will not apply and the individual pensions will be governed by respective pension rules. These instructions would continue to apply in the context of revised floor ceiling of Rs.3500/-p.m. Accordingly, the floor ceiling will apply individually in the civil and military pension. In case, a person is in receipt of pension as well as family pension, the floor ceiling of Rs.3500 will apply individually to such pension and family pension. 
A.16 Whether the additional pension/family pension available to old pensioners would be payable from the date of attaining age of 80 years or above or from the first day of the month in which the date of birth falls? 
The additional quantum of pension/family pension, on attaining the age of 80 years and above, would be admissible from the 1st day of month in which his date of birth falls. For example, if a pensioner/family pensioner completes age of 80 years in the month of August, 2008, he will be entitled to additional pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.8.2008. Those pensioners/family pensioners whose date of birth is 1st August, will also be entitled to additional pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.8.2008 on attaining the age of 80 years and above. 
A.17 Whether orders dated 28.1.2013 are applicable in the case of those absorbee pensioners who had received 100% lump sum and are in receipt of one-third restored pension? 
It has been clarified in the OM dated 3.4.2013 that the notional full pension of the absorbee pensioners would also be stepped up w.e.f 24.9.2012 in accordance with the instructions contained in the aforesaid OM dated 28.1.2013. No arrear of DR and additional pension on notional full pension would be payable for the period prior to 24.9.2012. 
Clarifications issued as FAQ on Pension Procedure for Central Civil Pensioners
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
(Central Civil Pensioners) 
(Last updated/Reviewed: 04.11.2013)

PENSION PROCEDURE 

E.1 What is the meaning of the following terms? 
(a) Pension Disbursing Authority 
(b) Pension Sanctioning Authority 
(c) PPO Issuing Authority

(a) Pension Disbursing Authority : Bank Branch/Treasury/Post/PAO Office paying
your pension
(b) Pension Sanctioning Authority:The authority who sanctioned your pension before
forwarding the case to Accounts.
(c) PPO Issuing Authority:Generally, the Pay & Account Officer is the
PPO issuing authority.

E.2 What should a Government servant do to claim his pension? 
During service each Govt. servant should satisfy himself that service is being verified and recorded so in the service book and that there are no gaps in this. He should also ensure that nomination for all payments due to him are current and valid. Eight months prior to the retirement date, a Government servant is required to furnish certain information (e.g. joint photo with spouse, family details, name of the branch of the authorized bank through which he desires to draw his pension etc.) to his Head of Office in the prescribed Form No. 5. The Head of Office is required to undertake the work of preparation of pension papers in Form No. 7 of two years before the date on which a Government servant is due to retire on superannuation. After complying with the requirements of CCS Pension Rules 59 & 60, the Head of Office has to forward to the Pay & Accounts Officer Form 5 and Form 7 duly completed with a covering letter in Form 8 along with service book of the Government servant duly completed up-to-date and any other documents relied upon for the verification of service, not later than six months before the date of retirement of the Government servant. 
E.3 Who is to authorize the pension? 
On receipt of pension papers from Head of Office, the Pay & Accounts Officer concerned will, after applying requisite checks, assess the amount of pension and issue the Pension Payment Order (both halves of Pension Payment Order, i.e. disburser’s portion and pensioner’s portion) not later than one month in advance of the date of retirement of the Government servant with forwarding authority letter, duly ink-signed and embossed, to Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) who in turn will generate on computer a Special Seal Authority on the basis of details given in the Pension Payment Order and authority letter of the Pay & Accounts Officer and forward both halves of PPO with Special Seal Authority to the Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) of the concerned authorized Bank. All records will be maintained in the CPPC and the disbursing branch, will make the payments to the pensioner on authorization of payment of pension by the CPPC. The CPPC however is only the back office for processing pensions, all pension related problems/grievances of the pensioners will continue to be handled by the concerned paying branch as before.
E.4 What is to be done in case the pension has not been fixed correctly? 
The Pay & Accounts Officer while issuing the pension authorization will forward one copy of the pension calculation sheet (out of three received by him from the Head of Office) as certified by the Head of Office and countersigned by him (Pay & Accounts Officer) to the pensioner along with the intimation of his having sent the pension payment authority/PPO to the CPAO. In case it is found from the pension calculation sheet that pension has been fixed incorrectly, the matter may be taken-up with the Head of Office. PAO concerned, if necessary, will issue an amendment authority letter to Central Pension Accounting Office for onward transmission to the CPPC to carry out necessary amendments in both halves of PPO.