Govt says pension grievances are now resolved in an average of 21 days. What pensioners should know

For pensioners who rely on their monthly pension to meet everyday expenses, delays in resolving payment or service-related issues can create financial stress. The government on Thursday said an online grievance redressal system has helped cut resolution times, with complaints now being addressed in an average of about 21 days.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the Central Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS) has significantly improved transparency, accountability and the timely redressal of pension-related grievances for central government pensioners.

Complaints resolved in around three weeks

Digital Life Certificate simplifies verification

Singh also highlighted the government's digital pension reforms, saying the submission of Digital Life Certificates has made the verification process more transparent and convenient. Pensioners can submit their life certificate using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, including thumb impression, iris scan or face authentication.

The Digital Life Certificate is then updated automatically in the database of the pension disbursing authority through a completely system-driven mechanism, helping ensure the seamless continuation of pension payments without the need for manual intervention.

SMS alerts keep pensioners informed

Pensioners also receive SMS alerts on their registered mobile numbers when a Digital Life Certificate is submitted through Jeevan Pramaan and again when the pension disbursing authority updates its records. According to the minister, these automated notifications improve transparency, keep pensioners informed about the status of their submissions and help ensure timely delivery of pension benefits.

For retirees living on a fixed income, faster grievance resolution and digital verification can help reduce uncertainty by ensuring pension-related issues are addressed more quickly and payments continue without avoidable disruptions.