Senior Citizen Watch
Age 65 is the new 80? Pensioners Push for Early ‘Additional Pension’ in 8th Pay Commission
New Delhi | January 3, 2026: For 68 lakh central government pensioners, the biggest fight this year isn’t just about the money—it’s about the “Waiting Period.”
NEW DELHI: As the 8th Pay Commission begins its tenure, a critical demand from the Pensioners’ Welfare Association is taking center stage: The revision of the “Additional Pension” timeline.
Currently, a pensioner receives an additional 20% hike only after turning 80 years old. However, unions argue that with changing health dynamics and rising medical inflation, waiting until 80 is unfair. The demand? Start the benefits at 65 or 70.
🚨 The Proposed Structure
If the Parliamentary Committee recommendations are accepted by the 8th CPC, your pension slip could look like this:
- Age 65-70 years: 5% Additional Pension
- Age 70-75 years: 10% Additional Pension
- Age 75-80 years: 15% Additional Pension
- Age 80+ years: 20% (Status Quo)
The Minimum Pension Reset
Apart from the age factor, the absolute floor rate is set to change. Under the 7th CPC, the minimum pension is pegged at ₹9,000 per month.
Using the expected minimum pay fitment, the 8th CPC is likely to raise this floor significantly. If the minimum pay moves to ₹46,000 (approx), the minimum pension (50% of Basic) would automatically jump to ₹23,000 + DR. This would be a massive relief for Group D retirees.
| Category | Current (7th CPC) | Expected (8th CPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Pension | ₹9,000 | ₹23,000+ |
| Medical Allowance (FMA) | ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 |
Why the ‘FMA’ Needs to Triple
Pensioners not covered under CGHS rely on the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). It currently stands at a meager ₹1,000 per month. With healthcare inflation hitting double digits, the Standing Committee has already flagged this as insufficient.
Prediction: Analysts expect the 8th CPC to recommend raising the FMA to at least ₹3,000 per month to cover basic OPD expenses for senior citizens.