How Pension for Central Government Employees is processed ? – Various stages and timeline

Central Government Pension and family Pension – Various stages of processing of Pension right from initiation to issue pension payment order – Frequently Asked Questions

Question No. 1 :  What are various categories of Central Civil Pensioners and Pension Rules applicable to them?

Answer No.1: CPAO deals with pension cases of Central Civil Pensioners viz. pension cases of Hon’ble President/Vice President, Member of Parliament, Judges of Supreme Court/High Court, AIS officers, freedom fighters, UTs and Delhi Administration. These classes of pensioners are covered under different Rules as given below. CPAO does not deal with pension work of Railways, Posts, Telecom, Defense, State Govts, and PSU. 

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Question No. 2 : Who is responsible for initiating pension case of a retiring Govt. servant?

Answer No. 2: Head of Office is responsible for initiating pension cases of retiring Government Servant. He undertakes the work of preparation of pension papers with reference to the provisions of the rules applicable regarding timelines; he has to undertake the preparation of pension papers two years before the date of superannuation and is required to complete the pension papers eight months prior to the date of retirement of Govt. Servant.

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Question No. 3 : Is the Head of Office supposed to apprise the government servant of the details of his pension case?

Answer No. 3: Yes, He is supposed to give a copy of the pension calculation sheet to the pensioner, which will include the details of period of service rendered, date and rate of last increment and scale of pay etc.

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Question No. 4 : When the Head of Office should forward the pension papers in Form-5 and Form-7 to PAO?

Answer No. 4: 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 Government Servant.

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Question No. 5 : What should the Head of Office do if he finds any information missing from the pension documents forwarded to PAO?

Answer No. 5: If after forwarding the pension documents to the PAO, the Head of Office comes across any event that may have a bearing on the admissible pension; he should immediately intimate the same to the PAO.

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Question No. 6 : When the Head of Office should forward the

Answer No. 6: After completing the process of verification of service with reference to relevant records, the head of office is supposed to furnish a certificate to the Government servant regarding the length of qualifying service, emoluments and average emoluments proposed to be reckoned for pension and retirement gratuity payments ten months before the date of retirement. The employee should make representations, if any, within a fortnight of receiving the certificate.

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Question No. 7 : What is the role of PAO in respect of pension processing?

Answer No. 7: The Pay & Accounts Officer, on receiving the pension papers, is to verify the service records and apply prescribed checks with reference to the applicable Pension rules, and assess the amount of pensionary benefits. After applying the necessary checks, he prepares the Pension Payment Order (PPO) in the Proforma given in CAM-52 and forwards the same to the Central Pension Accounting Office under the Special Seal Authority for arranging the payment through authorized bank. The final responsibility of the correctness of calculations and authorization of admissible pension is that of the PAO.

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Question No. 8 : When should the Pension Payment Order in CAM-52 be issued by PAO?

Answer No. 8: The Pay & Accounts Officer should issue the pension payment order/ authorization at least one month in advance of the date of retirement of the Government servant.

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Question No. 9 : What is the role of CPAO?

Answer No. 9: (i) CPAO is an intermediary link between pension sanctioning authority (i.e. the office from which a govt. employee retired/died)& pension paying authority (Pay and Accounts Office) and the pension disbursing bank. On the basis of pension cases received from PAO, CPAO issues Special Seal Authorities (SSAs) authorizing payment of pension in fresh as well as revision of pension cases to the CPPCs (Central Pension Processing Centers) of pension disbursing Banks. CPAO has no mandate to sanction or amend the rates of pension/family pension sanctioned by the pensioner’s parent office. CPAO cannot suo-moto revise the pension/family pension and even cannot change the pensioner’s address. CPAO has also no role in payment of pension. CPAO is responsible for creating pensioners data base on the basis of special seal authority received from the PAO and then generate its own special seal authority and send it to the CPPCs of the concerned banks for further action.

(ii) As an interim arrangement, CPAO makes payment of provisional pension to the pensioners/family pensioners covered under New Pension Scheme in the event of death or disability as per orders of Ministry of Finance.

(iii) CPAO furnishes to each PAO annually, in the first fortnight of November a list of running serial numbers to be allotted to Pension Payment Orders to be issued by them during the next calendar year. These numbers are to be used only up to 31st December each year. The details of unused numbers should be intimated to the CPAO by the end of January every year. However, the new numbers supplied by Central Pension Accounting Office are allocated in respect of Pension Payment Orders issued on and after 1st January each year irrespective of actual date of retirement. The criteria for issuing new serial numbers will be the date of issue of Pension Payment Orders and has no relevance to the date of retirement or date of commencement of pension.

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Question No. 10 : What is the role of the Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) of the bank?

Answer No. 10: CPPC acts as a single point access for the processing of pension and accessing the information on all pension accounts maintained by them. The Central Pension Processing Centers of the banks are responsible for processing of pension payment, pension disbursement and creating pensioners data base on the basis of special seal authority received from CPAO. Pension/family pension arrears are calculated by the Central Pension Processing Centers of the concerned bank and are credited to the pensioner’s bank account. CPPCs are also responsible for handling grievances of pensioners.

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Question No. 11 : When should the CPAO dispatch the PPO to CPPC?

Answer No. 11: By 20th of the month of retirement provided the case is timely received from concerned PAO.

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Question No. 12 : When should CPPC credit the first pension to the pensioners account?

Answer No. 12: After completing all formalities, CPPC should credit the first pension to pensioners account on the last date of the month following the month of retirement or within 40 days of the receipt of the PPO/SSA whichever is earlier.

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Question No. 13 : Are the PPO issuing authorities i.e. PAO, CPAO and CPPC of the bank supposed to inform the pensioner about the issue of PPO and its subsequent movement at all stages?

Answer No. 13: Yes

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Question No. 14 : What is system of allotment of 12 digit PPO numbers?

Answer No. 14: The following system is adopted for the allotment of 12 digits PPO numbers. In each PPO, the first five digits indicate the code number of PPO Issuing Authority, next two digits indicate the year of issue, and after this the four digits indicate the sequential number of the PPO while the last digit is a check digit for the purpose of computer. For example, a PPO bearing number 709650601302 implies that PPO has been issued by AG Madhya Pradesh, in the year 2006 and is the 130th PPO issued by that PPO issuing authority, and is allotted computer code-2.

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Question No. 15 : Has the CPAO provided any facility on its website to the pensioner for tracking progress of his PPO?

Answer No. 15: Anybody can know the status of any particular PPO by using link “know your status”. Moreover, pensioners have been provided the facility of downloading the copy of PPOs and subsequent amendments issued by CPAO by using login and password after getting themselves registered on CPAO website- www.cpao.nic.in

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Question No. 16 : What are the modes of disbursement of pensions?

Answer No. 16: The disbursement of pension relating to Central Civil Pensioners, All India Service Officers including those borne on U.T. cadres, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Freedom Fighters, Chairman/Vice Chairman/Members of CAT, Ex-Members of Parliament, the Ex-President/Vice President of India will be authorized through the following channels viz:

i. Public Sector Banks and Other Nominated Banks (Private Sector Banks);
ii. Pay and Accounts Offices;
iii. Money Orders; and
iv. Treasuries (For High Court Judges and All India Service pensioners only).

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Question No. 17 : Who should make the arrear payment before authorizing the bank for making payment by CPAO?

Answer No. 17: Any arrear of pension due to the pensioners on account of delayed finalization or for any other reason must be paid to the pensioners in accordance with the provisions of various rules and orders applicable, by the Pay and Accounts Offices. Only the future monthly pensions payable is to be authorized to the Banks by transmitting the PPOs to Central Pension Accounting Office.

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Question No. 18 : What is the role of PAO if a pensioner opting to draw pension through a bank dies before the PPO is sent to CPAO? Who should make the payment in this situation?

Answer No. 18: There may be an occasion when the pensioner opting to draw pension through a bank dies before the PPO is sent to Central Pension Accounting Office. In such cases, Pay and Accounts Office will make the payment of arrears of pension to the heirs of deceased pensioner, and PPO will be sent to CPAO for authorizing family pension only.

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Question No. 19 : How will CPAO complete its data base in respect of those pensioners who have opted for drawing their pensions through PAO- Counter?

Answer No. 19: All PPO issuing authorities are supposed to furnish an abstract of PPO in the Annexure-C for the pensioners who desire to draw pension through Pay and Accounts Offices or Money Order. This is required to be sent to Central Pension Accounting Office at the time of issuing the PPO for incorporation in the Data Bank maintained by them. However, at the time of making monthly payment of pension or payment of arrears of pension, the pension disbursing authority will prepare a schedule of payments and send the same to the Central Pension Accounting Office by 10th of each month. If the schedule, in any particular month, has undergone a change in comparison to the preceding month, a note of the same will be made in the remarks column of the schedule indicating the authority and detailed reasons for it. This may happen due to change of class of pension or entitlement, non-release of pension for want of submission of any certificate required under the rules, death of pensioner or any other reason. The Pension Disbursing Authority will watch the timely submission of schedule of payment through the Calendar of Returns. As a part of Digital India Mission, CPAO has introduced online submission of Annexure-C through CPAO website under PAO login. Now there is no need to send hard copies of Annexure-C.

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Question No. 20 : Is the switch over of pension payment channel permissible?

Answer No. 20: Yes

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Question No. 21 : What are the permissible payment channels for switch over?

Answer No. 21: A switch over of payment channel is permissible in the following cases:
i. Treasury Office to authorized Bank;
ii. Pay and Accounts Office to authorized Bank; and
iii. One Pay and Accounts Office to another PAO of the same Ministry/ Department at a different station.

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Question No. 22 : What should a pensioner do to switch over the pension disbursing source?

Answer No. 22: The applications for switch over of pension disbursing source will be made in duplicate as given in Annexure ‘E’ of Scheme Booklet, to the existing Pension Disbursing Authority in all the cases, as mentioned in Para 7.7.1 of Civil Accounts Manual. He will forward the same to Central Pension Accounting Office through the nominated Pay and Accounts Officer/Treasury Officer. In the case of PAOs, it will be sent after embossing the same with the Special Seal. Before sending the PPOs and other supporting documents to Central Pension Accounting Office, it must be ensured that-

(i) PPOs are correct and up to date, with all amendments to the PPOs attached with the disburser’s portion of the PPO;
(ii) Basic pension before commutation, reduced pension after commutation and the commuted value of pension paid along with date of payment of commuted value have been distinctly shown;
(iii) Revised family pension has been shown in the PPO;
(iv) Name of the Department from which the pensioner retired has been distinctly indicated in the disburser’s portion of the PPO;
(v) Details of the payments made are enclosed with the PPO;
(vi) A certificate to the effect that payment of pension has been made up to the month——— and that PPO consists of———continuation sheets have been recorded; and
(vii) In the event of replacement of the original Disburser’s portion of PPO, a certificate is recorded to indicate the manner in which the original disburser’s portion of the PPO has been disposed of. This is with a view to eliminate the chances of misuse of the original disburser’s portion.

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Question No. 23 : What are the restrictions on switch over of payment of pension?

Answer No. 23: A switch over of payment of pension from Bank to Treasury/PAO or from Pay and Accounts Office to Treasury or from one treasury to another is prohibited. However, any of these restrictions may be done away with, under the orders of Department of Pensions & Pensioners Welfare.

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Question No. 24 : When the commutation becomes absolute?

Answer No. 24: The commutation of pension becomes absolute:-
(i) On the date following the date of superannuation in the case where the application for commutation of pension is received by the Head of Office not later than three months before the date of superannuation.
(ii) On the date of receipt of the application by the Head of Office for commutation of pension without medical examination before the expiry of one year of the date or;
(iii) On the date on which the Medical Authority signs the medical report for commutation.

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Question No. 25 : Who is the Pension Sanctioning Authority?

Answer No. 25: Head of Office in the Ministry/Deptt./Office where a Government servant last served/died is the pension sanctioning authority.

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Question No. 26 : What should a Government servant do to claim his pension?

Answer No. 26: Eight months prior to the retirement date, a Government servant is required to furnish certain information (e.g. joint photo with wife/husband, family details, name and BSR code of the branch of the authorized bank through which he desires to draw his pension etc.),email address, phone number to his Head of Office in the prescribed form No. 5.

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Question No. 27 : What is required in case the pension has not been fixed correctly?

Answer No. 27: The PAO is solely responsible for correctness of the calculation of pension. In case he finds any mistake he will revert the pension case to Head of Office for making necessary correction.

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Question No. 28 : What is required for the initiation of first time credit of pension?

Answer No. 28: Earlier for first time credit of pension, first time identification of the pensioners by the banks and undertaking of recovery of excess payments by pensioner were required. To avoid delay in first credit of pension, now provision has been made to send undertaking of recovery of excess/over payment along with the PPOs to the banks. Further, requirement of first time identification of pensioners by their physical appearance in the bank has also been removed since KYC norms fulfill the purpose. Retiring Government servants have to ensure submission of undertaking to their respective Heads of office at the time of retirement.

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Question No. 29 : Whether retirement gratuity, death gratuity can be paid by PAO/CPAO?

Answer No. 29: No, the amount of retirement/death gratuity as determined by the PAO shall be intimated to the Head of Office who will draw and disburse the amount to the retired Government servant or to the nominee/family as the case may be.

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Question No. 30 : Whether Dearness Relief is payable on original basic pension or on reduced pension after commutation?

Answer No. 30: The Dearness Relief is payable on original basic pension before commutation.

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Question No. 31 : Is any authorization from PAO/CPAO required for payment of Dearness Relief at increased rate to pensioners/family pensioners?

Answer No. 31: CPPC of the bank is supposed to have direct access to the websites of the Department of Pensions ” Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Consumer Affairs so that they can browse the orders on Dearness Relief by various departments on regular basis and act upon immediately. As such, no authorization from PAO/CPAO is required for making the payment of Dearness Relief at increased rate to pensioners/family pensioners.

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Question No. 32 : Is there any restriction on commutation of pension?

Answer No. 32: No Government servant, against whom departmental or judicial proceedings as referred to in Rule 9 of the Pension Rules, have been instituted before the date of his retirement, or the pensioner against whom such proceedings are instituted after the date of retirement shall be eligible to commute a fraction of his provisional pension authorized under Rule 69 of the Pension Rules or the pension, as the case may be, during the pendency of such proceedings.

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Question No. 33 : Is there any limit on commutation of pension?

Answer No. 33: A Government servant shall be entitled to commute for a lump sum payment up to 40 per cent of his pension.

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Question No. 34 : What will be the effective date of reduced pension? If
a. The applicant is drawing pension from PAO.
b. The applicant is drawing pension from a branch of an authorized bank.
c. A Government servant who retired on superannuation and applied for commutation in form 1-A of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules up to the date of retirement and commutation paid through Head of Office within the first month of retirement.
d. In case of commutation of provisional pension and retrospective revision of final pension?

Answer No. 34: (a) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of the commutation shall be operative from the date of receipt of the commuted value of pension or at the end of three months after issue of authority by the PAO for the payment of commuted value of pension, whichever is earlier.
b) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of commutation shall be operative from the date on which the commuted value of pension is credited by the bank to the applicant’s account to which pension is being credited.
c) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of commutation shall be operative from its inception.
d) The commuted value is paid in two stages as such the reduction in the amount of pension shall be made from the respective dates of the payment.

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Question No. 35 : How is the period of 15 years for restoration of commuted portion of pension reckoned?

Answer No. 35: The 15-year period for restoration may be reckoned from the date of retirement itself in cases where the payment of commuted value of pension was/is made during the first month of retirement leading to appropriate reduction on account of commutation in the first pension itself. In all other cases, where the commutation of pension led/leads to a reduction in the second or subsequent month, the 15 years period will be reckoned from the date on which reduction in pension became/becomes effective.

(Para 3 of GID No.3 below Rule 10-A of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981)

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Question No. 36 : Whether the family can be given the benefit of 40 per cent commutation if a pensioner dies before exercising option?

Answer No. 36: In view of Government clarifactory orders, no benefit can be given to the family.

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Question No. 37 : Is any authorization for restoration of commuted portion of pension after 15 years required from PAO/CPAO?

Answer No. 37: Restoration of commuted portion of pension after 15 years (from the date of crediting of commuted value) or as fixed by the Government from time to time is to be made automatically by bank on receipt of application in prescribed proforma from eligible pensioner. In cases where the date of commutation is not readily available in the PPO, the bank will obtain the information from the concerned PAO who issued the PPO through CPAO before restoring the commuted portion of pension.

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Question No. 38 : Whether retirement gratuity/death gratuity, commuted value of pension is taxable?

Answer No. 38: Retirement/death gratuity and the lump sum amount received on account of commutation of pension are not taxable under the Income Tax Act 1962.

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Question No. 39 : Is the payment of pension in cash or through a joint account with or without “EITHER” or “SURVIVOR” facility permitted in the Scheme for Payment of Pension to Central Government Civil Pensioners by authorized Banks?

Answer No. 39: The payment of pension in cash is not permissible. However, payment of pension through a joint account operated by a pensioner with his or her spouse in whose favour an authorization exists in PPO is permissible. The joint account could be operated by former or survivor on “EITHER” or “SURVIVOR” basis under certain conditions.

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Question No. 40 : Can a pension account be operated by a holder of Power of Attorney?

Answer No. 40: The pension account cannot be allowed to be operated by a holder of Power of Attorney except in the case of the pension accounts of the former Presidents of India or of the spouses of deceased Presidents. However, the facility of allowing cheque books and acceptance of standing instructions for transfer of funds from the account is admissible as per instructions of R.B.I.

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Question No. 41 : Can the deduction of Income Tax at source be made from pension payments?

Answer No. 41: Yes, the CPPC of the bank is responsible for deduction of Income Tax at source from pension payments in accordance with the rates prescribed from time to time. While deducting such tax from pension payments the CPPC will also allow deduction on account of relief available under Income Tax Act from time to time on production of proper and acceptable evidence of eligible savings by pensioners through paying branch. The paying branch will also issue the pensioner in April each year a certificate of tax deducted in Form-16.

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Question No. 42 : Can the excess payment, if any, credited to the pensioner’s account be recovered by the bank?

Answer No. 42: Before commencing payment of pension, the paying branch is required to obtain an undertaking of recovery of excess payment in the prescribed form Annexure-XI of the Scheme from the pensioner. On the strength of this undertaking the excess payment, if any, credited to his/her account can be recovered by the paying branch.

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Question No. 43 : Can the payment of retirement/death gratuity be made by the bank?

Answer No. 43: Yes, the payment of retirement/ death gratuity can be made by bank if authorized by CPAO through proper Special Seal Authority.

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Question No. 44 : What is required if a pensioner/family pensioner desires to get his pension payment account transferred
(a) from one paying branch to another of the same public sector bank?

Answer No. 44: Request falling under category ‘a’:- The pensioner/family pensioner may submit an application for transfer of pension/family pension account at either the old branch or the new branch of the bank. The transfer application will require mentioning both account numbers (in the old & new branch) with both branch contact details, if account portability is not available in the bank. If the account portability is available then the pensioner may simply seek a transfer of his/her pension account to the new branch. The branch receiving the application will scan and forward the same to CPPC. CPPC will coordinate the continuity of disbursement of monthly pension/family pension without any break. The changed information will be provided to CPAO along with the electronic scroll and in Annexure xxi of CPAOs scheme booklet. In case of request falling under category (b), the scanned PPO and scanned application for transfer will be electronically transmitted to the new CPPC along with a record of last pension paid. The new CPPC will acknowledge the receipt of the scanned copy and last payment reported by revert mail and will incorporate this into the system and start the pension payment to the new account on an ad-hoc basis for a period of three months or till the original documents received whichever is earlier. On receipt of acknowledgement, the old CPPC will stop pension disbursement; arrange to have the PPO sent directly to the new CPPC through Speed Post and intimate the post number to the receiving CPPC. It will wait the confirmation of receipt of physical PPO from the new CPPC. The changed information will be provided to CPAO along with the electronic scroll in respect of any pensioner included/excluded along with the reasons. All PPOs received from other CPPC on migration will be entered and scanned and reposed in the new CPPCs database in the pensioner wise electronic and physical folders.

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Question No. 45 : What is the procedure for switch over of pension payment from Pay & Accounts Office/Treasury Office to authorized Bank?

Answer No. 45: The existing pensioner will be required to submit his transfer application in duplicate to his Pension Disbursing Authority i.e. Pay & Accounts Office or Treasury as the case may be. Transfer application in duplicate shall be forwarded immediately by the Pay & Accounts Office/Treasury along with the disburser’s copy of the PPO halves, duly authenticated and written up-to-date to the CPAO for transmission to the CPPC of the authorized Bank for arranging payment after keeping necessary note in their records. Pay & Accounts Office/ Treasury Officer should also update the entries of payment made in the pensioner’s portion of the PPO if not already done, before the transfer application is sent to the CPAO.

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Question No. 46 : Who is to authorize payment of family pension and death gratuity when a Govt. servant dies while on deputation?

Answer No. 46: In the case of a Govt. servant who dies while on deputation to another Central Govt. Deptt., action to authorize family pension and death gratuity in accordance with the provisions of chapter IX of the pension Rules shall be taken by the Head of Office of the borrowing department. In the case of a Govt. servant who dies while on deputation to a State Govt. or while on Foreign Service action to authorize the payments of family pension and death gratuity in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IX of the pension Rules shall be taken by the Head of Office or the cadre controlling authority which sanctioned the deputation of the Govt. servant to the State Govt. or to Foreign Service.

(Rule 81D of CCS (Pension) Rules)

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Question No. 47 : What should a family member (eligible for the grant of family pension) do to get the family pension?

Answer No. 47: Normally, family pension to spouse is sanctioned and authorized at the time pension is authorized in favour of retiring government servant and indicated in the pension payment order and is to be drawn after the death of the pensioner. However, in cases where Govt. servant expired while in service, the widow or widower has to apply in Form 14 (of CCS Pension Rules) to the Head of Office concerned who will sanction and authorize the family pension through its Pay & Accounts Officer. Where the deceased Govt. servant is survived only by a child or children, the guardian (in case of minor child/children) or such child or children may submit a claim in Form 14 to the Head of Office for sanction and authorization of family pension. For getting family pension, the deceased pensioner’s family should apply in Form no. 14 along with a copy of the death certificate of the deceased pensioner to:
(I) The pension disbursing authority if, the amount of family pension is already indicated in the Pension Payment Order.
(II) The Head of Office for sanction of family pension in all other cases.
If the pensioner has Joint Account with the spouse on either or survivor basis the spouse has to submit the death certificate of the pensioner along with simple application only to activate the family pension.

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Question No. 48 : What is the period up-to which family pension is payable?

Answer No. 48: The period for which family pension is payable shall be as follows:-
(i) In the case of a widow or widower, up to the date of death or re-marriage, whichever is earlier.
(ii) In the case of an unmarried son until he attains the age of 25 years or until he gets married or until he starts earning his livelihood, whichever is the earlier.
(iii) In the case of an unmarried or widowed or divorced daughter, until she gets married or remarried or until she starts earning her livelihood, whichever is earlier.
(iv) In the case of parents, who were wholly dependent on the Government servant immediately before the death of the Government servant, for life.
(v) In the case of disabled siblings (i.e. brother and sister) who were dependent on the Government servant immediately before the death of Government, for life.

(Rule 54 (6) of CCS (Pension) Rules)

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Question No. 49 : Is family pension payable to more than one person at a time?

Answer No. 49: The family pension will be paid in equal shares where the deceased Govt. servant or pensioner is survived by – a) More than one widow (except in the case of Hindu widow). On the death of one widow, her share of the family pension shall become payable to her eligible child. If she is not survived by any child, her share of the family pension shall not lapse but shall be payable to the other widows in equal shares. b) A widow and an eligible child through another deceased wife; the eligible child will be paid the share which the mother would have received had she been alive. c) A widow and an eligible child from a divorced wife; the child will be entitled to the share of family pension which the mother would have received had she not been divorced.

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Question No. 50 : How is family pension payable to twins?

Answer No. 50: Where the family pension is payable to twin children, it will be paid to such children in equal shares provided that when one such child ceases to be eligible his/her share shall revert to the other child and when both of them cease to be eligible the family pension shall be payable to the next eligible single child/twin children.

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Question No. 51 : Is family pension payable to a spouse judicially separated?

Answer No. 51: Yes, family pension is payable to a spouse judicially separated but not to a spouse judicially separated on the ground of adultery.

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Question No. 52 : Whether Parents, Brothers and Sisters of the pensioners are entitled to get family pension?

Answer No. 52: Only those Parents, Brothers and Sisters of the pensioners are entitled to family pension who were wholly dependent on pensioner provided the deceased employee had left behind neither a widow nor a child.

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Question No. 53 : What are the various modes/options available for pensioners/family pensioners to furnish Annual Life Certificate? What change has been made in the Format of Life Certificate?

Answer No. 53: Three options are available to the pensioner/family pensioners for producing life certificate i.e.
i) By physical appearance in any of the branch of his bank.
ii) By a certificate given by any of the following authorities: – Correction Slip No.14 of Scheme Booklet.
(i) A person exercising the powers of a Magistrate under the Criminal Procedure code;
(ii) A Registrar or Sub-Registrar appointed under Indian Registration Act;
(iii) A Gazetted Government servant;
(iv) A Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector in-charge of a Police Station; Offices;
(vi) A Class-I officer of the Reserve Bank of India, an officer (including Grade II officer) of the State Bank of India or of its subsidiary;
(vii) A pensioned Officer who, before retirement, exercised the powers of a Magistrate;
(viii) A Justice of Peace;
(ix) A Block Development Officer, Munsif, Tehsildar or NaibTehsildar;
(x) A Head of Village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, Gaon Panchayat or an Executive Committee of a Village;
(xi) A Member of Parliament, of State legislatures or of legislatures of Union Territory Governments /Administrations.
(xii) Treasury Officer.
iii) By Aadhaar based online Digital Life Certification (DLC) – Jeevan Pramaan.
CPAO has recently revised the Format of Life Certificate with the provision of acknowledgement of receipt of the life certificates to the pensioners/family pensioners.

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Question No. 54 : What is the procedure for filing Digital Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan)?

Answer No. 54: Digital Life Certificate (DLC) option is also provided to the pensioner for submission of Life Certificate in the month of November. It is an Aadhaar based Biometric Authentication/verification system for pensioner/family pensioner. The pensioner/ family pensioner who wants to use this on-line facility for issuing digital Life Certificate needs to have an Aadhaar Number. The Aadhaar Number should also be seeded with the Pension Payment Order and bank account of the pensioner by the Pension Disbursing Authority i.e. Bank.
The process for issuance of digital life certificate for pensioner is as under:-
Step 1.The pensioner needs to enroll and biometrically authenticate himself/herself using one of the following methods:
(a) The pensioner can download application for generating digital life certificate from jeevanpramaan.gov.in on any Android Tablet/Smartphone or Windows PC. The pensioner should also obtain a low cost finger print scanner/iris scanner from the market and plug it on USB port of the Tablet/Smartphone/PC for biometrically authentication by giving his/her Aadhaar number and other details related to their pension bank account.
(b) The Pensioner can also visit a nearby CSC centre, Bank Branch or any Government office whose details are provided under “locate Centre” on jeevanpramaan.gov.in for biometrically authentication.
(c) If the pensioner is already enrolled on the system, he would only require giving his Aadhaar Number to authenticate his biometric for updating date of his digital Life Certificate.
Step 2. After successful submission of digital life certificate, pensioner will be sent a SMS on his/her mobile giving the transaction id. Pensioner can use this transaction id for downloading computer generated life certificate from the website www.jeevanpramaan.gov.in for their records.

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Question No. 55 : What is the procedure for Opening the Bank Account and Facility for withdrawal of Pension to sick and physically challenged Pensioners?

Answer No. 55: The following provisions will apply for opening the Bank Account and withdrawal of pension by old, sick, incapacitated and handicapped pensioners.
(1) Opening the Account: In case of a pensioner who has lost both his hands and therefore cannot sign, his signature can be obtained by means of a mark. This mark can be placed by the persons in any manner. It could be the toe impression. It can be by means of mark which anybody can put on pensioner’s behalf, the mark being put by an instrument which has had a physical contact with the person who has to sign.
(2) Withdrawal of money from the Account: The following method will be adopted in case of sick, incapacitated handicapped pensioners.
(a) Pensioner who is too ill to sign a cheque and cannot be physically present in the bank to withdraw money from his account, but can put his thumb/ toe impression on the cheque/withdrawal form. In this case, the thumb or toe impression should be identified by two independent witnesses known to the bank, one of whom should be responsible bank official.
(b) Pensioner who is not only unable to be physically present in the bank, but is also not even able to put his thumb/toe impression on the cheque/ withdrawal form due to certain physical defect/ incapacity. In this case a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form in the same manner as described in sub- Para (1) above. That mark should be identified by two independent witnesses one of whom should be a responsible bank official.
(c) In both the cases mentioned above, the pensioner might also be asked to indicate to the Bank as to who would withdraw pension amount from the bank on the basis of cheque/ withdrawal form as obtained above and that person should be identified by two independent witnesses. The person who is actually drawing the money from the bank should be asked to furnish his signatures to the bank.

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Question No. 56 : How can pensioners get registered themselves to know their details on CPAOs web-site www.cpao.nic.in?

Answer No. 56: The pensioners can register themselves without help of CPAO by adopting following steps. (main web site/log in to view your details/ not registered-sign-up/feed your 12 digit PPO number/date of birth/date of retirement/proceed/fill registration form/go back to main/fill your own created user name &password/Log in as pensioner).CPAO help will not be required in the registration. Govt of India central civil pensioners who are having 12 digit PPO number can only register because CPAO does not have jurisdiction to deal with pensioners of Railways, Posts, Telecom, Defence, State Governments and PSU.

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Question No. 57 : How can a grievance be registered with CPAO?

Answer No. 57: There is a Grievance Cell in CPAO which can be contacted by dialling a Toll Free number 1800117788.Presently, ten Toll free telephone lines are operational. The telephone lines are open from 10 am to 5 pm on all working days except during lunch break. The pensioner can register their grievances/problems on web site of CPAO through www.cpao.nic.in. The Grievance Cell also receives grievances through emails, fax, letters, or physical presence of pensioners in CPAO. Our email addresses are [email protected] and [email protected] for registering the grievances of pensioners. On successful registration and disposal of grievances, pensioners are sent SMS wherever their mobile numbers are available in CPAO database.

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Question No. 58 : How to register grievance on CPAO Web Site www.cpao.nic.in?

Answer No. 58: Pensioner with valid 12 digit PPO number can register his/her grievance on CPAO website www.cpao.nic.in, by following procedure; Click log in, Get yourself registered as per procedure given, note down your own created user name and password and keep safely, open your page by inserting your own created user name and password, open “add grievance”. Fill mandatory fields and write your grievance.

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Question No. 59 : What is the significance of new 12 Digit PPO number and how to get new 12 Digit PPO number in place of old PPO number of pensioners retired prior to 01.01.1990?

Answer No. 59: The new 12 Digit PPO number is unique for each pensioner/family pensioner and it works as reference number for any communication made to CPAO. Pensioners can check status of their pension and lodge grievances through 12 Digit PPO number only because CPAO database recognize only 12 Digit PPO numbers. CPAO was established on 01.01.1990 and, therefore, does not have record of pensions sanctioned prior to 1990 by various govt. offices. In order to create record of such pensioners in CPAO computer data base,information of such pensioners can be provided by PAO of pensioners parent office or the concerned CPPC duly supported with attested photo copies of old pension papers and get 12 digit PPO number allotted.

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Question No. 60 : What is Single Window Service available in CPAO website and what types of services can be availed by pensioners through this service?

Answer No. 60: CPAO is providing various services to its stake holders i.e. Ministries, PAOs, Banks and Pensioners etc. through its Website- www.cpao.nic.in. In order to provide better and single window service to the pensioners, CPAO is developing and redesigning the pensioner’s section of website to include more information and it has been made mobile responsive too so that pensioner can now view the pensioner section on his/her mobile device irrespective of OS of mobile i.e., Android, IOS or Windows. Now pensioner can avail various services by registering himself/herself in CPAO website. To register in CPAO website, pensioners/family pensioners are required to provide their 12 digits PPO numbers, date of birth and date of retirement/date of death. To complete the registration process, pensioners have to create their own login id and password whereby they can log in to the CPAO website and avail/access following services:

I. Pensioner Profile: Under this section, pensioners can view their personal details like date of birth, date of retirement and contact details etc. They can change/update their contact details like mobile number, email, and Aadhaar number at any point of time.

II. Digital Record of SSA: Under the section-My Data in CPAO, pensioners can view list of all SSAs (Special Seal Authority) sent to banks from CPAO authorizing payment of pension in favour of them with details like SSA No., date of dispatch from CPAO to bank, speed post number whereby they can track the status of movement of their SSAs. Pensioners may download the SSAs from CPAO website. Consequently, they need not separately approach CPAO to provide copies of their SSAs issued to the banks. This facility ensures digital presence and availability of records for pensioners.

III. Pension Tracking System: Under this section, pensioners can track status of their pension cases both in fresh as well as revision cases like date of receipt of their cases in CPAO from the PAO and date of dispatch from CPAO to bank.

IV. Monthly Details of Pension Payment: Under this section, pensioners can view the details of monthly payments of pension, which are credited to their accounts by the bank. i.e. their basic pension, dearness relief, medical allowance, arrear payments, etc. This information is being made available to them from the monthly scrolls being received from the banks. Presently CPAO is showing previous six months payment details.

V. Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Apart from desktop computers/laptop, pensioners can now lodge their grievances from their mobile devices and view/track the status of their grievances through this section. Apart from lodging their grievances online on CPAO website, pensioners can also lodge their grievances by Toll Free Number, fax, post, email, and personal visits and track the status of grievance redressal. After receiving the grievances from pensioners; CPAO is forwarding the same to the banks and field offices for redressal and update the status in its website for the information of pensioners. On the successful registration and disposal of grievances, pensioners are also informed through SMS from CPAO.

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Question No. 61 : What is SMS service of CPAO?

Answer No. 61: With effect from 15-01-2016 CPAO has started sending SMS to pensioners to bring about better transparency in the system. CPAO has started the push SMS service under which SMS is sent to the respective pensioner on initiation or completion of process related to pensions. SMS is sent to pensioner:
1. Upon receipt of New Pensions case in CPAO.
2. Upon dispatch of New Pension case, mentioning the date of dispatch and speed post no. for further tracking by the pensioner if he/she desires so.
3. Upon receipt of Revision Authority from PAO.
4. Upon dispatch of Revision Authority to Bank from CPAO mentioning the date and speed post no. for further tracking by pensioner if he desires so.
5. Upon registration of grievance on the website of CPAO http://cpao.nic.in by the pensioner itself.
6. Upon registration of grievance within CPAO by the grievance cell of CPAO.
7. Upon disposal of already registered grievance.

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Question No. 62 : What are Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable to Different class of pensioners?

Answer No. 62: Different classes of pensioners are entitled to different rates of Dearness Allowance. A chart is given below for the present admissibility from 01.07.2015:-

Classification of pension	Category of pension	Rate of dearness relief from 01.07.2015
Hon’ble President of India, Hon’ble vice President of India, Hon’ble Members of Parliament (pension as well as family pension)	H,F	Dearness relief not admissible
Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pensions (pension as well as family pension)	G	238%
Ex-gratia pension		234%
Ex-gratia family pension		226%
All other central civil pensioners as well as family pensioner including Judges of Supreme court and High Courts.	A,B,C,D,E,I,V,P &O	119%

 

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Question No. 63 : What is Simplified pension process for permanently disabled children/Siblings and dependent parents?

Answer No. 63 : The Govt of India, Ministry of PPG, Deptt. of Pension has simplified the pension process for permanently disabled children/Siblings and dependent parents by their OM No 1/27/2011-P&PW(E) dated 01.07.2013. In such cases the family pension can be co-authorized in the PPO of retiring Government servant on completion of laid down procedure.

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Question No. 64 : What is the information required for Revision of pension under 6th CPC?

Answer No. 64: Most of the pension cases under 6th CPC have been revised but in some cases the pension could not be revised because certain mandatory information, such as – office address from which pensioner retired, scale of pay on the day of retirement, net qualifying service and date of birth of spouse required for the purpose of revision are not available with the Ministry/Department concerned. Such pensioners/family pensioners are advised to provide the desired information either to the PAO of their parent office or to the paying bank branch or to the CPAO to facilitate the revision.

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Question No. 65 : What will happen if a pensioner becomes the citizen of another country and surrenders Indian Citizenship? Will he/she continue to get pension as before? What if he takes OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card?

Answer No. 65: Yes, the pensioner/family pensioner will continue to get pension even if he/she becomes the citizen of another country because he/she get pension for the services rendered under the Government of India. Therefore, the change in the citizenship by any non-resident Indian pensioner will not affect his entitlement to the pension (Para 17.9 of the Scheme Booklet). But, if a pensioner, who immediately before his retirement was a member of Central Service, Group ‘A’, wishes to accept any employment under any Government outside India i.e. (employment under a local authority or corporation or any other institution or organization which functions under the supervision or control of a Government outside India, or an employment, under an International Organization of which the Government of India is not a member), he shall obtain the previous permission of the Central Government for such acceptance, and no pension shall be payable to a pensioner who accepts such an employment without proper permission in respect of any period for which he so employed or such longer period as the Government may direct. Provided that a Government servant who was permitted by the Central Government to take up a particular form of employment under any Government outside India during his leave preparatory to retirement shall not be required to obtain subsequent permission for his continuance in such employment after retirement.

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Source: CPAO