Appeal for additional Pension for RBI Pensioners Aged 80 and Above

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, has recently issued an office Memorandum F. No. 38/10(04)/2024-P&PPW(A) (e 10124) dated 18th October 2024. According to this, central government pensioners who have completed 80 years of age or more are eligible for an additional pension or compassionate allowance.
Additional Pension Rates:
80 to less than 85 years: 20% of the basic pension/compassionate allowance
85 to less than 90 years: 30% of the basic pension/compassionate allowance
90 to less than 95 years: 40% of the basic pension/compassionate allowance
95 to less than 100 years: 50% of the basic pension/compassionate allowance
100 years or more: 100% of the basic pension/compassionate allowance

Implementation Details:

The additional pension or compassionate allowance will be payable from the first day of the calendar month in which it becomes due. For instance, a pensioner born on August 20, 1942, will be eligible for an additional pension at the rate of 20% of the basic pension starting from August 1, 2022. Similarly, a pensioner born on August 1, 1942, will also be eligible for the same rate from August 1, 2022.

The above provisions for additional pensions to the above category of pensioners have been in place since the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC). These were specified in the erstwhile Rule 49(2-A) CCS (Pension) Rules of 1972.
These rules were subsequently consolidated, updated, and notified via the Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II, Section 3(i), on March 31, 2021 –[sub Rule 6 of Rule 44 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021)].
Why Office Memorandum dated 18th October 2024?
While the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) had recommended an additional pension for pensioners aged 80 and above, the implementation details and specific rules have evolved over time. The Office Memorandum clarifies with example to streamline the process for calculating and disbursing the additional pension.
Potential Reasons for the Office Memorandum:
Standardization and Clarity: The circular aims to ensure uniform implementation of the additional pension scheme across all government departments and agencies.
Addressing Discrepancies: It is addressing any inconsistencies or ambiguities in the previous guidelines. Also, some courts’ decisions have added to these discrepancies.
Facilitating Timely Disbursement: The clarification on the payment commencement date ensures that pensioners receive the additional benefit without delay.

The concept of granting additional pensions to Central Government Pensioners, as being circulated in the media reports, is not new, and numerous eligible pensioners are already benefiting from this provision.

RBI PENSIONERS
Indeed, AIRBIOPF President  Kishore Chakraborty sent an email to the Governor on 24.6.2019 requesting similar measures for RBI pensioners. Following this, the General Secretary also addressed a letter to the Finance Secretary, advocating for the same demands on behalf of RBI pensioners. Considering that the pensions of RBI retirees are regulated by Pension Regulations that refer to CCS rules in the absence of specific regulations, we have again requested that the RBI Governor by our email dated 30th October,24 to confer equivalent benefits upon RBI retirees who are 80 years old and above. This appeal aims to harmonize the RBI’s pension policy with the central government’s guidelines on the issue.

The email is reproduced below.
To
The Governor
Reserve Bank of India
Central Office Building
Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg,
Mumbai – 400001

Subject: Request for Grant of Additional Pension to RBI Retirees Aged 80 Years and Above