Additional Benefits Announced by PFRDA Under UPS

Mumbai, 27 May 2025: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has introduced additional benefits under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees who retired after completing at least 10 years of service in the central government on or before March 31, 2025. These new provisions also extend to their legally wedded spouses, providing support beyond the existing NPS entitlements, including annuities.

Who qualifies for the Unified Pension Scheme?

As per the Department of Financial Services and the UPS Regulations, 2025, eligibility is limited to central government retirees who have completed at least 10 years of qualifying service and retired on or before March 31, 2025. Their spouses are equally eligible to claim benefits.

Key benefits available under UPS

Eligible retirees and their spouses can claim the following:

• One-time lump sum: A payout calculated as one-tenth of the last drawn basic pay plus dearness allowance (DA) for every completed six months of qualifying service.
• Monthly top-up amount: A fixed monthly benefit determined by subtracting the representative annuity amount under NPS from the sum of the admissible UPS payout and dearness relief.
• Interest on arrears: Simple interest on any arrears will be paid at rates applicable to the Public Provident Fund (PPF).

Sample calculations for these benefits are detailed in Schedule VII of the PFRDA UPS Regulations, 2025.

How to apply for UPS benefits

Applicants may submit claims either offline or online:

• Offline: Download the relevant forms (Form B2 for subscribers; Forms B4/B6 for spouses) from www.npscra.nsdl.co.in/ups.php and submit them to the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of the last office served.
• Online: Complete and submit the forms via the same website, which will forward applications to the DDO.

Important deadline

The window for UPS applications is open from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. Applications submitted after this date will not be entertained.

To assist retirees and their families, PFRDA is conducting informational webinars, with details available on their official website.

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