The central government has approximately 6.9 million pensioners, most of whom receive benefits under the old pension system (OPS). Most employees are demanding the implementation of the old pension system within the 8th Pay Commission. Furthermore, employees who benefit from the old pension system are also insisting on a significant increase in their pensions.
Pensioners hope that the government can substantially increase their pension payments. Some reports suggest that depending on various fitment factors, the basic minimum pension could range from 30,000 to 68,000 rupees. The following is an analysis of how much the salaries of retired employees might increase.
The pension organization NC-JCM stated that the pension should be 67% of the last drawn salary, and the family pension should be 50%. The All India Defence Employees Association makes similar demands, also insisting on a 67% pension of the last drawn salary and 50% family pension. The Bharatiya Pension Society (BPS) demands a minimum pension of 45,000 rupees, 67% of the last drawn salary, and 50% family pension of the last drawn salary.
Demands regarding various fitment factors are being put forward within the 8th Pay Commission. Pensioners are demanding factors ranging from 2.1, 2.28 to 2.57. The implementation of these factors could lead to a significant increase in the pensions of retired employees.
Level 5 employees currently receive a minimum basic pension of 14,600 rupees, but after applying a 2.1 factor, it could rise to 30,660 rupees. Consequently, the pension for Level 6 employees would be 37,170 rupees, Level 7 would be 47,145 rupees, Level 8 would be 49,980 rupees, and Level 9 would increase to 55,755 rupees.
If a Level 5 employee receives a 2.28 fitment factor within the 8th Pay Commission, their minimum basic pension could reach 33,288 rupees. It is also projected that the minimum basic pension for Level 6 employees would be 40,356 rupees, for Level 7—51,186 rupees, for Level 8—54,264 rupees, and for Level 9—60,534 rupees.
If the government accepts the demand for a 2.57 fitment factor, the minimum basic pension for Level 5 employees could be 37,522 rupees. It is projected that the pension for Level 6 would reach 45,489 rupees, for Level 7—57,697 rupees, for Level 8—61,166 rupees, and for Level 9—68,234 rupees.