Women Government Employees Can Designate Children for Family Pension Benefits

Empowering Women: New Family Pension Rule for Female Government Employees

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has implemented a groundbreaking rule that permits female government employees and pensioners to nominate their children for family pensions, deviating from the traditional practice of designating the husband as the primary beneficiary in specific situations.

New Provisions for Divorcing Women and Domestic Violence Cases

According to the new regulation, if a female government employee or pensioner is engaged in divorce proceedings or has initiated legal action against her husband under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the Dowry Prohibition Act, or relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, she now has the right to request that her family pension be designated for her child or children upon her passing, prioritizing them over her husband.

A Welcoming Change for Women in Distress

This directive offers significant relief to women navigating the challenges of divorce or facing domestic violence. It enables them to secure their children’s future without having to involve their husbands as beneficiaries of the family pension, thereby affirming their independence during legal struggles.

Implementation Across Government Services

As per the DoPT order (No. 25014/01/2024-AIS-II (Pension)), women officers of the All India Services (AIS) and pensioners with contentious marital statuses can now prioritize their children’s nominations for family pensions. It is noteworthy that this provision had already taken effect for other government employees through the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoP&PW) starting January 1, 2024, and has now been extended to women officers of the AIS.

Government’s Commitment to Women’s Rights

This progressive step by the government signals a commitment to the safety and rights of women and their children. By addressing the concerns of female employees experiencing marital distress, the government is affirmatively supporting women during challenging times, ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized.