OPTION FOR FAMILY PENSION

OPTION  FOR  FAMILY  PENSION - RE-EMPLOYED  EX-SERVICEMEN

In order to implement the unjustified restriction of granting only one family pension to the widows of the re-employed ex-servicemen, the re-employers are insisting the ex-servicemen in re-employed service to give option for any one family pension, i.e. either from Defence family pension or from re-employed service family pension.

The condition imposed is, suppose if one individual opts for Defence family pension,  the defence authorities are insisting for an undertaking from the re-employer that they will not sanction any family pension.  Similarly, if the individual opts for re-employers family pension (Civil family pension), these re-employers are insisting an undertaking from the Defence pension sanctioning authorities that they will not sanction any family pension.

Due to this restriction, many ex-servicemen, who were discharged prior  to  01.04.1985 and got re-employment are unable to get the endorsement of family pension done for their spouses.  But in case of those discharged after 1.4.1985, the endorsement of family pension is done without any restriction.

As per the existing  government instructions on the subject, the re-employer should not ask for any option during  the  life time of the ex-serviceman.   The option should be asked only to the widow.

The relevant pension rules can be accessed here.  The widow can give option up to two years, even to change over from the civil pension to defence pension.

Taking advantage of the situation, some banks like SBI, who are maintaining their own pension Scheme are also insisting for the option for only one pension.

Inspite of a number of judgment in favor of the family pensioners, from the High courts and AFTs that the Bank family pension can be paid in addition to Defence family pension, still SBI is refusing to sanction Bank’s family pension to a number of widows.

As the administration is not responding to the genuine grievances of these widows, they are forced to approach the AFTs for justice.