Key Changes in the Central Civil Services Pension Rules 2024: A Simplified Overview

The recent gazette notification dated 16th July 2024, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, introduces amendments to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. These changes mainly affect how government employees submit and process their pension-related forms during retirement. Here’s a simplified explanation of the key points for readers of GConnect:

What Is Changing?

1. Family Details Submission:
   • Form 6-A: At the time of retirement, government employees now need to submit updated family details using a new Form 6-A, which replaces the previous Form 6.
2. Online Processing of Pension:
   • The pension cases of employees must now be processed online via platforms like Bhavishya or e-HRMS (Electronic Human Resource Management System). Employees who are part of e-HRMS must submit their pension forms online through this system.
   • For employees retiring for reasons other than superannuation (e.g., voluntary retirement, invalidation, or compulsory retirement), Form 6-A must be submitted via Bhavishya.
3. Timeframe for Form Submission:
   • Employees are required to submit the completed Form 6-A at least six months before their retirement date.
4. Special Cases for Family Members:
   • If the employee’s spouse or a family member submits the required forms instead of the employee, the employee won’t be able to avail of the commutation of pension until they apply personally for it.
5. Commutation of Pension:
   • Commutation of pension refers to the option of receiving a portion of your pension as a lump sum in exchange for a reduced monthly pension. If an employee’s family member submits forms on their behalf, the employee must later apply themselves for pension commutation to take effect.
6. Amendments to Other Forms:
   • Multiple other forms such as Form 4, Form 10, and Format 9 have been updated to ensure consistency with the new Form 6-A. These amendments aim to streamline the process for both retiring employees and the government offices managing their pensions.
7. Gratuity and Family Pension:
   • If no family member is eligible for family pension upon the death of a government servant, the person nominated to receive gratuity can now submit Form 6-A instead of the previous Form 10 to claim these benefits.

Why Does This Matter?

These amendments are designed to simplify and digitize the pension processing system, making it easier for government employees to handle their retirement-related formalities. By shifting much of the process online and standardizing forms like Form 6-A, the government aims to make the pension system more efficient and transparent.

Key Takeaways for Retiring Employees:

• Prepare Early: Ensure that you submit your Form 6-A at least six months before your retirement date.
• Update Family Details: Keep your family details up to date in Form 6-A, as this is important for processing your pension and other retirement benefits.
• Use Online Platforms: Familiarize yourself with the online platforms Bhavishya and e-HRMS to process your pension case smoothly.

This is a significant step towards digitization and improving the ease of handling pension matters for retiring government employees.

Also Read

• Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2024
• Submission of Nomination for Pension Arrears and Commutation – Form 6-A