India offers additional pension for older pensioners

The Indian government has announced that older pensioners will receive an additional pension to support their growing needs, especially for health care. Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh explained this in a response to questions in the Lok Sabha. The additional pension is automatically provided by banks and other authorities when it becomes due. The government has set specific rates for this pension based on age. For example, pensioners receive 20% more at age 80, 30% at age 85, and so on, reaching 100% at age 100. The decision follows recommendations from the sixth central pay commission. A Parliamentary Standing Committee reviewed and acknowledged plans for changes to the additional pension, but decided not to pursue further action recently. The minister also noted that guidelines ensure timely payment of the additional pension. To help with rising costs, a dearness relief, similar to a dearness allowance, is provided to pensioners and is applicable to the additional pension as well.