NPS ke interactions | 7th Pay Commission: Central government employees can also take benefits of NPS, know the process, Central government employees can also take benefits of NPS, know the process

As per Rule 10 of the CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021, the Central Government employees covered by the National Pension System now have the option to receive benefits from the Pension Fund accumulated under the old pension scheme or NPS. If they die while on the job. However, this provision is not available to the heirs of deceased government employees. If a Central Government employee does not give his preference, the benefit under the previous pension system is available as the default choice for the first 15 years of employment.

Benefit under NPS will be the default option later. In compliance with these guidelines, the default option of the previous pension system is effective till March 2024, until a government employee completes 15 years of service. The CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules 2021 was published in the gazette on March 30, 2021.

According to the Memorandum issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as per Rule 10 of the CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021, it has been said in this regard that the Government servant covered under this rule, at the time of joining service To avail benefits under NPS or under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 or CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939, exercise one of the options in Form I. In case of incapacity or disability or death of a Government servant or customer while in service.

Further, those already in Government service and covered by NPS shall also exercise such option at the earliest after the notification of these rules. They have to submit the details of the family in Form 2 along with Form 1 for record to the Head of Office and further submit to the Central Record Keeping Agency.

The memorandum also states that in view of the above, all officers/employees covered under NPS are requested to report their option to the Head of Office through their respective Establishment Division and to the Central Record Keeping Agency. Submit in prescribed latest Form I and Form II by 11.06.2021.

The DGHS has urged that all officers should present their options to the Head of Office through their appropriate Establishment Division by June 11. Family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as per the decision or default option taken by the Government servant, or if the Government servant has opted for benefits through NPS, to the family from his accumulated pension amount under NPS benefit will be received.

Benefits in the event of in-service death of central government employees covered by NPS include death gratuity, leave encashment, and benefits from Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities.