Eligibility Criteria for Family Pension to Wife and other Dependents

Exservicemen are entitled to get Pension and after them, their family members are also entitled to get Family Pension. In some cases, after passing away of Spouse of ESM, their unmarried/divorced/widowed daughters, son upto age of 25 and disabled wards including parents in some cases are entitled to get Family Pension.  In this article, we will discuss here in details about the eligibility criteria for grant of Family pension for all kind of dependent/family members.

Eligibility criteria for Family pension to Wife of ESM

Legally valid wife is eligible  for Pension, irrespective of her personal income, job, status and age.  It is advisable that name , date of birth and Aadhar/PAN Number should be recorded in the service record and PPO of the ESM for easy authentication.  Once the ESM expires, online reporting through SPARSH Portal is feasible. No need to have user ID and Password for reporting and claiming Family pension through SPARSH.  

Entitlement of Family Pension for Children of ESM

After the death of both ESM and his Wife, their children are eligible to get Family Pension in the order of Date of Birth.

Note: First, Eldest child will get a pension till 25 yrs of age. Then next child will get till attaining 25 yrs of age and so on till all children become above 35 yrs of age….thereafter Disabled child or Daughter will get pension for life. 

Entitlement of Family Pension for Unmarried/Widowed/Divorced Daughter

They are eligible for Family Pension subject to certain clauses. Firstly, they should be within prescribed earning criteria and valid proof of present marital status must be there.

Entitlement of Family Pension for  Disabled Child

Disability should be more than 40% and permanent in nature. Child should not be able to earn livelihood on his/her own certified by CH/MH by a Board of Officers. A detailed msg will be given on this issue. 

Entitlement of Family Pension for Parents

Parents of unmarried soldier, who died in Service, will be eligible for Pension, subject to certain clauses. First, mother will get pension and if mother is already expired then the father will get. 

Entitlement of Family Pension for Siblings

Unmarried Brothers and Sisters of unmarried soldier, who dies while in Service, will be eligible for Pension till they become major.

Entitlement of Family Pension for Second Wife of ESM

After Divorce or Death of first wife, if ESM gets re-married, then his Second wife’s Name will not be endorsed in the PPO, till all children of First Wife become ineligible. 

Note: In case of  unfortunate death of ESM, before children of First Wife became ineligible for Pension, the Second Wife and Children of First Wife will share 50% pension each. 

When Children of First Wife become Eligible for Family Pension?

(a) Son: If his age is more than 25 yrs or earning more than ₹9000/- pm or got married then he will not be eligible for Family Pension. 

(b) Daughter: If she gets married or earns more than ₹9000/-pm, then she will NOT be eligible for Pension. 

(c) Disabled Child: Disabled Child of ESM/Widows will always be eligible for Family Pension irrespective of age and Marital status but should not earn more than ₹9000/- pm. 

Information credit : Gp Capt Sanjoy Bhattacharjee, Ex- Officer in Charge, ZSB, N24PGS Barasat.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top