The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has revised the rules related to inclusion of daughters’ names in the family pension records as part of its efforts to amend and prioritise fairness in the family pension regulations.

According to the latest amendment, the DoPPW has mandated that the names of daughters must remain in government employees’ pension records after retirement, irrespective of their eligibility for a family pension. The latest amendment is a move to ensure inclusivity and recognise daughters within the family pension framework, which has traditionally focused on spouses and dependent children.

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What Does The New Rule Entail?

The DoPPW memorandum states that once a daughter’s name is officially listed in the government records via Form 4, it cannot be removed. The inclusion is mandatory even if the daughter is not eligible for pension owing to her marital or employment status.

Daughters are deemed members of their family as soon as their names are added by the government employee, thus securing their status in the family records permanently. The latest rule aims to prevent any unfair exclusion of daughters from family benefits at any point.

How Does Family Pension Eligibility Work?

The updated guidelines explain the eligibility criteria as to when daughters may qualify for a family pension. They would be entitled to pension under the following conditions:

• Unmarried daughters are eligible to receive a family pension until they marry.

• Divorced or widowed daughters over the age of 25 can also receive benefits, given there are no other eligible children who depend on the pension.

• In cases where a ‘disabled child’ is involved, the pension primarily goes to the child with a disability. This to help families protect the welfare of dependents with special needs.

The rule states that only daughters who meet such specific criteria, such as being unmarried, divorced, or widowed, and lacking other financial support, can continue receiving the pension. Such eligibility criteria are evaluated only after the death of the pensioner.

What Are Rules Involving Complex Family Scenarios?

DoPPW also addressed other complex family situations relating to pension rules. This particularly involves government employees undergoing a divorce or facing any legal challenge.

Female pensioners engaged in ongoing divorce proceedings, or those who have lodged protective cases under any relevant laws can now formally request the family pension for their children should they pass away. In cases where the pensioner’s spouse is still living, the pension will be first allocated to the surviving widower. This takes precedence especially if minor children or dependents with disabilities are relying on the living widower.

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In another scenario, where children are eligible for pension and have reached the age of majority, they are entitled to receive the pension directly. But should all eligible children become ineligible, the family pension may revert to the surviving spouse (widower) until they either pass away or remarry.

DoPPW’s Efforts To Initiate Compliance

The new directive by DoPPW lays emphasis on inclusivity. Accordingly, communication has been sent to all relevant ministries and departments in this regard, according to the official circular. The DoPPW has urged government agencies to update personnel on the new requirements that mandate daughters’ names are permanently maintained in pension records as an official part of the family.