In the upcoming Budget 2025, many senior citizens are hoping for an increase in their minimum monthly pension. Right now, under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95), pensioners receive a minimum of ₹1,000 per month. However, they are requesting that this amount be raised to ₹7,500, along with dearness allowance (DA), to help them better cover their living expenses.
Meeting with Finance Minister
Recently, a group of pensioners met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss their concerns. The Finance Minister assured them that the government would carefully look into their demands and consider them favorably. Senior pensioner leaders like Commander Ashok Raut highlighted the challenges faced by more than 78 lakh pensioners across India. These pensioners come from government services, private sectors, and industries like factories and public sector units.
Current Situation
Although the government had announced ₹1,000 as the minimum pension back in 2014, many pensioners still receive less than this amount. Currently, over 36.60 lakh pensioners are getting less than ₹1,000 per month. The pensioners argue that ₹7,500 is the minimum amount needed for them to live comfortably and with dignity. Anything less than that, they believe, does not meet their basic needs and fails to honor their years of hard work.
Looking Ahead
As we move closer to Budget 2025, there is hope that the government will review these demands and work on improving the financial support for senior citizens. The outcome of these discussions will be important for millions of pensioners in India, who are eagerly waiting for any changes that could help improve their quality of life.