FOR EXISTING POLICY
FOR NEW POLICY
The Defence Pension Scheme is a type of social security scheme that is provided by the Government of India to the Indian Armed Forces’ retired personnel as well as their families. This is a scheme to provide financial security to brave men and women who serve our country and their families.
Being a personnel in the armed forces is not easy. Brave men and women of the country put their lives on the line to keep the country safe. It becomes the responsibility of the government to provide financial security to these brave people when they retire so that they can spend their retired lives easily. There are many initiatives that the government has taken in this regard.
The Defence Pension Scheme for the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy is a social security scheme that offers financial security to retired personnel as well as their families. The Defence Pension Scheme is a monthly pension scheme and is an initiative by the Indian Government. This pension scheme is a way to recognise the sacrifices and services that these people have rendered towards the defence of India. It can also be termed as a retirement plan for the people in the armed forces.
Read on to find more information about the Defence Personnel Pension Scheme and what the Defence Pension Scheme covers.
Features of the Defence Personnel Pension Scheme
Here are the features of the Defence Pension Scheme:
Initiating Body |
Indian Government |
Administering Authority |
Ministry of Defence |
Beneficiaries of the scheme |
|
Benefits of the pension |
The scheme provides defence personnel pension on the basis of:
|
Disability Pension Scheme |
To the ex-servicemen who were disabled or injured while they served in the defence forces. |
Family Pension Scheme |
To the family or the spouse of the retired defence personnel in the event of their demise. |
Gratuity Scheme |
A lump-sum amount is provided to the veterans as a gratuity when they retire. |
Commutation Scheme |
Provides the retired personnel with an option to commute a part of their defence pension in exchange for some lump-sum payment. |
Revision of pension |
A periodic revision of the pension amount is undertaken so that it can keep up with the growing inflation. |
Medical Benefits |
The retired personnel, as well as their dependents, are provided medical benefits under the ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme). |
Types of Defence Personnel Pension Scheme
Here are the major types of pension schemes offered to retired personnel:
Service Pension Scheme |
Minimum amount of pension: ₹9,000/month Maximum amount of pension: Can be a higher of:
Eligibility criteria:
|
Family Pension or Vidhwa Pension Scheme |
In the event of the natural death of the personnel, the family will get: Minimum amount of pension: ₹9,000/month 30% of the emoluments that were last drawn |
Special Family Pension or Vidhwa Pension Scheme |
If the death is aggravated or attributed to the personnel’s service in the military:
|
Liberalised Family Pension or Vidhwa Pension Scheme |
Pension will be provided if the death of the personnel was due to:
Pension amount: Equal to the emoluments that were last drawn by the deceased personnel
|
Disability Pension Scheme |
If the personnel has been left invalid due to a disability that is aggravated or attributed to the personnel’s service in the military. Disability elements of this pension:
Service element of the pension: The retirement pension will be at 50% of the emoluments that were last drawn |
War Injury Pension Scheme |
If there is a case of 100% disability, this pension is provided:
|
Invalid Pension Scheme |
In cases of disability that is the NANA (Non-Attributable Nor Aggravated) type:
|
Reservist Pension Scheme |
Pension is given for:
|
Advantages of the Defence Personnel Pension Scheme
The benefits of this Defence Pension Scheme are as follows:
- Regular income: Under this scheme, the defence personnel and their family will receive a regular income, which will ensure financial security. This is one of the most important Indian Army pension details that you must understand.
- Inflation-adjusted: The amount of pension that you receive under this scheme is periodically adjusted according to inflation. Thus, the purchasing power is retained over time.
- Medical benefits: The defence personnel and their dependents can avail of medical benefits like treatment expenses, medical costs, hospitalisation expenses, etc., under the ECHS.
- Housing benefits: There are various housing benefits provided under the scheme, like allotment of land, houses, and loans to construct a house. The schemes for this include:
- AWHO (Armed Welfare Housing Organisation)
- Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
- Air Force and Navy Housing Boards
- Travel concessions: The defence personnel can avail of travel concession benefits in air, travel, or rail travel under different schemes introduced by the Railways, State Transport, and Air India.
- Post-retirement benefits: Other post-retirement benefits under the pension scheme in defence include scholarships for pursuing higher education, educational assistance for the children of the personnel, and canteen facilities.
These are some of the top benefits of the pension scheme in defence.
Conclusion
These are the Navy, Air Force, and Army pension details that you must know. The Defence Personnel Pension Scheme is an essential programme that provides financial security to retired defence personnel and their family. It also helps the family of the personnel after their unfortunate demise.
