8th Pay Commission: Big news for central government employees. The implementation of the 8th Pay Commission is expected to happen soon, potentially benefiting around 5 million employees and 6.5 million pensioners with significant increases in their salaries and pensions. However, recent reports have caused some confusion among employees, indicating that pensioners who retire before January 1, 2026, may not receive the advantages of the 8th Pay Commission. It has been suggested that the government might categorize pensioners into two groups: those who retire before January 2026 and those who retire afterward.
In response to these concerns, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Rajya Sabha, reassuring pensioners that there is no need for alarm. She explained that the amendments in the Finance Bill are merely to validate existing rules and will not lead to any reduction in pension benefits. She also noted that during the 7th Pay Commission, all pensioners received equal benefits, regardless of their retirement dates.
Sitharaman acknowledged that there were disparities in the 6th Pay Commission, but emphasized that the 7th Pay Commission ensured equal pensions for all. This approach will continue with the 8th Pay Commission to ensure that no employee or pensioner is overlooked.
Currently, discussions are actively taking place regarding the fitment factor, which experts suggest could be set at 2.00, 2.08, or 2.86. If a fitment factor of 2.00 is approved, the minimum wage could rise from Rs 18,000 to Rs 36,000, while pensions might increase from Rs 9,000 to Rs 18,000. The government has indicated that the 8th Pay Commission will be advantageous for both employees and pensioners, and everyone is eagerly awaiting its implementation and the extent of the salary increases.