The pensionary benefits for the families of deceased Armed Forces personnel are governed by well-defined provisions under the Pension Regulations for the Armed Forces. These provisions ensure financial support to the family or dependents after the death of the service member, whether in service or after retirement.
👪 Family Pension
✅ Eligibility Criteria:
Family pension is payable to:
- The widow/widower of the deceased personnel.
- In the absence of a spouse, the eligible children (including legitimate/legally adopted children) in order of seniority.
- Dependent parents in the absence of spouse and children.
📌 Types of Family Pension:
- Ordinary Family Pension (OFP)
Granted when the death is not attributable to or aggravated by military service. - Special Family Pension (SFP)
Payable when the death is attributable to or aggravated by military service. - Liberalised Family Pension (LFP)
Granted for battle casualties or warlike situations.
💰 Rate of Family Pension:
- Ordinary Family Pension: 30% of last drawn emoluments (subject to minimum prescribed by the government).
- Special Family Pension: 60% of last drawn emoluments.
- Liberalised Family Pension: Equal to the last drawn pay (i.e., 100%).
2. 🧒 Eligibility Order for Family Pension Recipients
If the widow is not alive or eligible, the following family members may receive the family pension in order:
- Sons/daughters below 25 years of age or disabled.
- Unmarried/divorced daughters.
- Dependent parents.
- Dependent siblings (if parents are not alive and no eligible spouse/children exist).
3. 💼 Dependent Pension
This is a separate type of pension granted to dependents (including parents) when death is attributable to service but the Special or Liberalised Family Pension is not admissible due to reasons like the family already receiving a pension.
🔹 Examples:
- If both husband and wife were government employees and the widow is receiving her own pension, the dependent parents of the deceased can be eligible for Dependent Pension.
4. ⚖️ Other Key Provisions
- Dual Family Pension is allowed in certain cases like dual employment (civil + military).
- Post-retirement family pension continues to the widow after the death of a pensioner.
- In remarriage cases, pension rules differ based on the type of family pension.
5. 📜 Legal & Policy Basis
These pensionary benefits are regulated under:
- Pension Regulations for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pensionary Awards, 1982.
- Ministry of Defence letters and circulars issued from time to time.
6. 📌 Important Notes
Family pension is not stopped if the widow remarries a real brother of the deceased (as per specified rules).
- Children born after the death of the soldier but from a valid marriage are also eligible.
- All family members must have their names entered in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) for smooth disbursement.
📝 Conclusion
The Government of India has made detailed provisions to ensure that the families of Armed Forces personnel are not left helpless after the death of the soldier. Whether it is Ordinary, Special, or Liberalised Family Pension, or in specific cases, Dependent Pension, these schemes offer vital financial security to the next of kin.
