Government Reiterates Mandatory Service Verification for Pension Eligibility

In a recent Office Memorandum dated October 25, 2024, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions has issued strict instructions to all ministries and departments, focusing on the periodic verification of qualifying service. This directive aims to ensure that government employees’ eligibility for pension is accurately tracked and reported, preventing potential delays and errors at the time of retirement.

Key Highlights of the Directive

1. Who It Affects:
   Government employees who have completed 18 years of service and are within five years of superannuation fall under the purview of this periodic verification.
2. Verification Process:
   • As per Rule 30 (1) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, the Head of Office, in consultation with the Accounts Officer, must verify the qualifying service.
   • This service verification is communicated to the employee in Format 4, confirming their eligibility for pension benefits.
3. Reporting Requirements:
   • The memorandum mandates that a report be submitted to the Secretary of each Administrative Ministry/Department by January 31st of each year.
   • This report should detail the number of employees eligible for the qualifying service certificate, those who received it, and reasons for any delay or lack of issuance.
4. Impact on NPS Employees:
   • The guidelines extend to employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS), as stated in Rule 21 of the CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021.
   • This ensures consistent service verification for NPS employees as well, promoting transparency in gratuity and pension eligibility.

Ensuring Compliance Across All Departments

Despite the routine communication of these rules, the government has observed that the qualifying service verification is often not communicated to the concerned employees as required. This latest memorandum is a reminder to all ministries and departments to reinforce compliance. Heads of Offices are encouraged to take these provisions seriously, making sure employees have clarity on their qualifying service well in advance of their retirement.

S. Chakrabarti, Under Secretary to the Government of India, emphasized the importance of these checks in ensuring a smooth transition into retirement for government employees, urging strict adherence to the guidelines to avoid future complications.

What This Means for Government Employees

For government employees, this memorandum serves as an assurance that their years of service and pension eligibility will be verified in a timely manner. With regular tracking, the government aims to eliminate last-minute delays in pension processing, allowing employees to retire with the peace of mind that their benefits are secure.

Read the original OM below: