Assured pension for government employees: Effective from April 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A government order has been issued to ensure an assured pension for Kerala government employees. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal had earlier announced in the budget that the assured pension scheme would be introduced to replace the National Pension Scheme. The Assured Pension Scheme, which ensures a minimum pension, has been brought into effect from April 1 as part of this.

Those joining service from April 1, 2026, can opt for the Assured Pension Scheme or the National Pension Scheme. Employees currently covered by the National Pension Scheme also have the option to opt for the Assured Pension Scheme. The maximum pension amount under the Assured Pension Scheme will be 50 percent of the basic salary at the time of retirement for employees. This will be calculated based on the pay scale approved by the state government. There will also be dearness relief (DR). To get the maximum pension, 30 years of service must be completed. The government has stated that orders containing all the details of the scheme will be issued separately.