Who Receives Pension After an Employee's Death? Learn the Rules

Family Pension Rules After Death: When a government employee passes away, a fixed amount is paid monthly to provide financial support to their family. This is called a family pension. This provision is implemented under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. Rule 54 is considered a social security provision intended to provide financial assistance to the employee’s dependents after their death.

Who is eligible under Rule 54?

According to Rule 54, after the employee’s death, their spouse is the first to receive the family pension. If the spouse is absent or ineligible, the children are eligible for this benefit. In certain circumstances, parents and siblings with physical or mental disabilities may also be eligible. The employee registers the names of family members in Form 4 during their service, ensuring clarity in disbursing benefits after death.

Provisions for Daughter Eligibility

The daughter of a deceased employee may also be eligible for a family pension under certain conditions. Normally, an unmarried daughter remains eligible until she marries or becomes self-employed. If the daughter is divorced or widowed and her parents are no longer alive, she can also receive a family pension. She may also be eligible if she becomes a widow after marriage.

Pension Rules for Daughters

If a daughter is physically or mentally disabled and her name is registered in authorized records, she may be eligible for a lifelong family pension. Similarly, in some cases, a widowed or divorced daughter may also receive a lifelong pension, provided she meets the prescribed conditions.

Special Rules for Unmarried Daughters

The government has established clear guidelines for unmarried daughters. As long as the daughter is not married or earns her own income, she is considered eligible for a pension. If there are twin sisters, the pension amount is divided equally. In cases where both parents were in government service, the daughter may receive two family pensions, but the total amount cannot exceed a prescribed limit.

If both parents have passed away and the unmarried daughter is the eldest child, she receives a pension on a priority basis. In case of disability, she may receive assistance up to a certain age limit or for life. However, in the case of an adopted daughter, the rules may be different and depend on the decision of the concerned department.