Govt amends pension rules, allows female employees to nominate children instead of husband

The central government has taken a key decision which will show a profound impact socially and economically. It was announced on Monday that women government employees and women pensioners can nominate their family pension after their death to their son or daughter instead of their husband.

Sharing this decision with the media, Union Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) has introduced an amendment to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, allowing female government employees or pensioners to grant family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse.

The amendment will address situations where marital discord leads to divorce proceedings or cases filed under acts such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act or the Indian Penal Code, the Minister said.

Previously, family pension was granted to the spouse of a deceased government servant or pensioner, while other family members became eligible only after the spouse’s ineligibility or demise. However, the new amendment allows female government servants or pensioners to request the grant of family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse.

Hailing the move, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the amendment is in line with PM Modi’s policy of giving equitable, just and legitimate rights to the women functionaries in every sector, whether it be Permanent Commission to Women in the Armed Forces or Women’s Reservation Amendment in Parliament.

In an office memorandum, the DoP&PW said, the female government servant or pensioner must make a written request to the concerned Head of Office, stating that family pension should be granted to her eligible child or children in precedence to her husband, in the event of her demise during the ongoing proceedings. If the female government employee or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly.