Unified Pension Scheme: Extra Benefits for Central Government NPS Retirees – How to Claim Before June 30

Retired central government employees who were part of the National Pension System (NPS) now have a golden opportunity to boost their retirement income. The government has rolled out the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), offering extra benefits to those who retired on or before March 31, 2025, and have completed at least 10 years of service.

Who Can Apply?

• Central government NPS retirees with a minimum of 10 years of qualifying service.
  
• Legally wedded spouses can also apply if the retiree has passed away.
  
• The deadline to claim these benefits is June 30, 2025.
  

What Are the Extra Benefits?

The Unified Pension Scheme offers three main benefits, in addition to the regular NPS payouts:

• One-Time Lump Sum:
  Receive a lump sum equal to one-tenth of your last drawn basic pay plus dearness allowance for every completed six months of service.
  
• Monthly Pension Top-Up:
  If your NPS pension is less than what you would get under the UPS, the government will pay you a monthly top-up to bridge the gap.
  
• Interest on Arrears:
  Any arrears due will be paid with simple interest, calculated at the prevailing Public Provident Fund (PPF) rates.
  

How Much Pension Can You Get?

• For those with 25 years or more of service, the UPS guarantees a pension equal to 50% of your average basic pay over the last 12 months of service.
  
• If you have fewer than 25 years, the pension will be calculated proportionally.
  
• A minimum monthly pension of ₹10,000 is assured for those with at least 10 years of service.
  

How to Apply?

You can claim these benefits in two ways:

• Offline:
  Fill out the required form (Form B2 for retirees, Form B4 or B6 for spouses) and submit it to the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of your last office.
  
• Online:
  Visit the official NPS website and complete the application process digitally.
  

Why This Matters

The Unified Pension Scheme offers a reliable and predictable pension for central government retirees, helping them manage their post-retirement years with greater financial security. Don’t miss the chance to claim these additional benefits before the June 30 deadline!