Pension Rules: The Central Government has reiterated the rules governing the order of priority among eligible family members for receiving family pension after the death of a government employee or pensioner. In an Office Memorandum dated October 29, 2026, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has clarified the statutory order of eligibility under Rule 50 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021.

Pension Rule Explained

The memorandum, issued for the uniform examination of family pension claims, explains which family members are entitled to receive the pension and under what circumstances their eligibility begins or ends. It also covers the rights of children, dependent parents and certain dependent siblings.

Legally Wedded Spouse Gets First Priority

According to the memorandum, family pension is ordinarily payable first to the surviving legally wedded spouse of the deceased government employee or pensioner. This provision also includes an eligible post-retiral spouse, subject to the conditions prescribed under the relevant rules.

After the death of the spouse or when the spouse’s entitlement comes to an end, eligible children may become entitled to receive family pension. The category includes adopted children, stepchildren and children born after the retirement or death of the government employee or pensioner.

Rules for Children Receiving Family Pension

The memorandum identifies three broad categories of children who may be considered eligible for family pension. The entitlement of children in the first category is determined according to their order of birth.

For children in this category, family pension generally continues until they attain the age of 25 years, get married or start earning a livelihood, whichever occurs first.

However, children suffering from a mental or physical disability may become eligible after the children in the first category, subject to the prescribed conditions. Such children are considered in the order of their birth and can continue receiving family pension until they start earning a livelihood. Their marriage does not affect their eligibility under this provision.

Unmarried, Widowed and Divorced Daughters Also Covered

The memorandum also addresses the eligibility of unmarried, widowed and divorced daughters. If all children in the first and second categories are absent or ineligible, such daughters may become entitled to family pension in the order of their birth.

However, certain conditions must be fulfilled. The daughter must have been dependent on her parent or parents while they were alive and must not have been earning a livelihood when the family pension becomes payable to her. Her entitlement continues until she gets married or remarried, starts earning a livelihood or otherwise ceases to fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions, whichever occurs first.

“>November 12, 2026

Dependent Siblings May Also Be Eligible

In certain cases, family pension may also be payable to dependent siblings suffering from a mental or physical disability. However, this entitlement arises only after the eligibility of the spouse, children and dependent parents has ended, subject to the prescribed conditions.

Thus, the memorandum sets out a sequence of priority among eligible family members, rather than treating all relatives as equally entitled to receive family pension at the same time.