Am I Eligible for a Modified Pension Under the 1996 Scheme After SC's Order? Seeking Guidance

Modified Pension on 29.06.2020

As per the Supreme Court's order, employees who were covered under the erstwhile Employees' Family Pension Scheme of 1996 and retired prior to 2014 are eligible to stake their claim for a modified pension. They are required to apply to the RPFC of the relevant jurisdiction along with supporting documents, such as a summary of contributions (both employers' and employees'), i.e., Annexure K, duly certified by the employer. I was one of these employees covered under the pension scheme of 1996 and retired in October 2008 from my last employer.

Between 1996 and 2008, I worked with two organizations and consistently received a basic salary above Rs 1,00,000 during these periods. My previous employers restricted their contributions to 12% of Rs 6500 per month, while my contribution was of the same amount deducted from my payroll. Additionally, I voluntarily contributed 50% of my salary during these periods.

Although I met the RPFC in Chennai, handed over my application with the required supporting documents duly certified by my former employers, and received an acknowledgment with a serial number, I have not received a response from the RPFC to date. I submitted my application in January 2019. My subsequent emails and phone calls to the RPFC office have been unsuccessful. I want to know if I am eligible for the revised or modified pension based on the details provided and as per the Supreme Court's verdict. Currently, I am unable to access the Supreme Court's orders.

Location: Chennai, India

Tags: pension scheme, Supreme Court, employers' contribution, family pension scheme, Annexure K, Country-India, City-India-Chennai

Based on the information provided, it seems that you are eligible to claim the modified pension as per the Supreme Court's order. However, the lack of response from the RPFC office despite submitting all required documents can be frustrating. Here are some steps you can take to follow up on your application:

- Contact RPFC Office: Reach out to the RPFC office in Chennai again, either in person or via phone, to inquire about the status of your application. Politely ask for an update on the processing of your claim.

- Seek Legal Assistance: If your attempts to communicate with RPFC are still unfruitful, consider seeking legal assistance from a labor lawyer who can guide you on the next steps to take in order to pursue your claim.

- Request for Supreme Court's Order: Try to obtain a copy of the Supreme Court's order related to the modified pension scheme. This document can provide you with more clarity on your eligibility and rights in this matter.

- Follow Up Regularly: Persistence is key when dealing with bureaucratic processes. Keep following up with RPFC through emails, letters, or phone calls to ensure your application is being processed.

- Document Everything: Maintain a record of all communication and interactions with the RPFC office, including dates, times, and the content of conversations. This documentation can be useful in case of any further escalation.

By taking these steps, you can proactively address the situation and potentially expedite the processing of your claim for the modified pension under the Employees' Family Pension Scheme of 1996 as per the Supreme Court's order.