New Delhi. 07 October 2020. As per existing provision, there is a requirement of continuous qualifying service of 7 years for grant of Ordinary Family Pension at enhanced rate to Next of Kin (NoK) of Defence Forces personnel.

Ordinary Family Pension at enhanced rate is calculated @ 50% of last Emoluments and Ordinary Family pension is calculated @ 30% of last Emoluments. Ordinary Family Pension at enhanced rate is payable for 10 years without any upper age limit from the date following the date of death of the personnel in service. Where service personnel dies after release/retirement/discharge/invalidment with a pension, Ordinary Family Pension at enhanced  rate is granted for a period of 7 years from the date of death or up to attaining the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier.

The requirement of continuous qualifying service of 7 years is done away with w.e.f 1.10.2019 vide Govt. letter dated 05.10.2020

Further, Defence Forces personnel who died within ten years before the 1st day of October 2019 without completing continuous service of 7 years, his family shall also be eligible for family pension at enhanced rate w.e.f  1.10.2019.