The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has issued new guidelines requiring periodic verification of qualifying service for government employees who have completed 18 years of service and have five years left before their retirement.
This verification will help determine the employee’s qualifying service, ensuring that all necessary records are in order before their superannuation, according to an Office Memorandum issued by the DoPPW, which comes under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Also read: New family pension rules for govt servants: Daughters’ names to be retained in family records post-retirement
According to the directive, the Head of the Office, in consultation with the Accounts Officer, will verify the employee’s service record as per existing rules. The employee will be informed of the determined qualifying service through a formal certificate, provided in the prescribed Format 4.
This verification process is mandated under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, which stipulates that such verification should be completed before an employee reaches the five-year mark to retirement. Additionally, a report detailing the qualifying service status of relevant employees must be submitted annually by January 31st to the Secretary of the Administrative Ministry or Department.
The new guidelines aim to streamline the verification process and ensure that all government employees are aware of their qualifying service status well in advance of retirement.
Ministries and departments have been urged to strictly adhere to these provisions and ensure timely communication of qualifying service certificates to employees.
Also read: Can pensioners change spouse name or surname after retirement? Central govt issues fresh guidelines
The DoPPW has emphasized the importance of these checks, which also apply to government employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS), under Rule 21 of the CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021.
Despite previous communications, there have been instances where employees were not issued the required certificates. Ministries and departments have been asked to take immediate steps to address this issue and comply with the new directive.
» Read More
