Old Pension Scheme- The number of seniors is rapidly increasing in India. In this context, the government has launched several new schemes for senior citizens, aimed at making their lives easier, safer, and more dignified. The central government has introduced the old age pension scheme to give a fixed amount every month to senior citizens to help them live their lives. If there are senior members in a family and they do not have any source of regular income, then they can avail the old age pension scheme of the central or state government. The government has started the verification process to provide the benefits of this pension scheme.

When was it started?

The National Old Age Pension Scheme was started in the year 1995. This scheme was started by the Ministry of Rural Development as part of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP). On 19 November 2007, the name of this scheme was changed to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. Later, this scheme was expanded to include all eligible persons living below the poverty line i.e. BPL.

How much money is received as pension?

The amount that senior citizens get under the old age pension scheme, some part of it is from the centre and some part from the state. Therefore, the pension amount is different in every state. In states like Delhi, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, senior citizens get more than Rs 1000 per month as old age pension. Whereas in Himachal, Rs 550, in Rajasthan Rs 500, in Maharashtra Rs 600, in Bihar Rs 400 and in UP Rs 300 are given per month.

Under the scheme, senior citizens between the ages of 60 and 79 are given pension benefits at the rate of Rs 300-1000 per month. In this amount, Rs 200 is contributed by the Government of India and the rest by the state government. Elderly people aged 80 years and above are given Rs 500 per month as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension.

Benefits

1. The benefit of the National Old Age Pension Scheme is given only to those senior citizens whose age is 60 years or more. Earlier the age limit was 65 years.

2. The applicant for Old Age Pension Scheme should belong to a family living below the poverty line (BPL).

3. If the son or grandson in the applicant’s family is more than 20 years of age, but he is also living below the poverty line, then the applicant will still get the benefit of this scheme.

4. Senior citizens above 60 years of age, even if they are not from a BPL family, can get the full amount of old age pension from the state government.

Application Process

Those eligible for the National Old Age Pension Scheme can apply for it from home. From 1 April 2016, the application process has been made online. Senior citizens of 60 years or above from BPL families can complete the process by clicking on http://pensions.samagra.gov.in/ignoapdetails.aspx. Apart from this, one can also apply for the National Old Age Pension Scheme at the RTPS office at the block level in every district.