Determining Eligibility of Family Pension: Concept of not earning a Livelihood or Dependency
No. 1/1(39)/2026-P&PW (E)/E-12002-(2)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Loknayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated: 29.10.2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Concept of not earning a livelihood or dependency while determining the eligibility of family pension – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to say that references are received concerning the assessment of not earning a livelihood or dependency under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 while granting family pension to eligible family members.
2. This is a determining factor in examining the claims for family pension, except in the case of a legally wedded spouse, who is not subject to an income ceiling. However, in the case of a remarried childless widow, the threshold income limit applicable to family members other than the children or siblings suffering from a disability would apply.
3. The concept of not earning a livelihood is discussed in the Explanation to Rule 50(11) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 and the same is elaborated as under:
(A) A member of the family, other than a child or sibling suffering from a mental or physical disability, shall be deemed not to be earning a livelihood if his or her overall income from sources other than family pension is less than the minimum family pension under sub-rule (2) of this rule and the dearness relief admissible thereon. At present, it is Rs. 9,000/- per month with admissible DR.
(B) A child or sibling suffering from a mental or physical disability shall be deemed not to be earning his or her livelihood if his or her overall income from sources other than family pension is less than the entitled family pension under sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-rule (2) of this rule. Currently, it is thirty per cent of the pay with admissible DR.
4. Apart from not earning a livelihood, the unmarried or widowed or divorced daughter should also have been dependent on their parent or parents when he or she or they were alive. Further, in the case of dependent parents and dependent disabled siblings, dependency on the Government servant or pensioner immediately before his or her death must be established. The monetary limits for determining dependency are similar to those mentioned in paragraph 3 above.
5. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of the officials dealing with family pension.
6. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Deepak Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
To,
All Ministries/Departments/Organisations of the Government of India
(As per standard distribution list)
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