If you retire before December 31, 2025, your pension will not increase, what is the reality of this claim? Big update on 8th salary

8th Pay Commission Latest Update: There is a lot of discussion about the 8th Pay Commission these days among central government employees and pensioners. Especially the question is arising whether the pension of people retiring before December 31, 2025 will increase or not. Various types of news are circulating on social media that people who have already retired will not get the benefit. But what is its reality? The Finance Ministry has clearly stated in the Parliament that this commission has just been formed, and it is to review the salary, allowances and pension of the central employees. More than 1 crore people will be affected by this, which includes both workers and retirees.

But before rumours, let us understand the facts. The government has said that the change in pension will not happen automatically from the Finance Act 2025, but will happen through rules after the recommendations of the Commission. This thing has come in response to a question asked recently in Rajya Sabha.

Eighth Pay Commission comes into effect from January 1, 2026

Let us tell you that every 10 years the government forms a new pay commission so that the salary and pension are updated according to inflation and changing circumstances. The 7th Commission was implemented in 2016, which has ended on 31 December 2025. Now the 8th Commission will come into effect from January 1, 2026. The government had approved it only in January 2025, and its job is to look at the salary structure, allowances and pension. This will affect about 2.5 crore people, which includes both civilians and defense. The commission’s report will come in late 2026 or early 2027, and only then will the changes come into effect.

Currently, 8cpc.gov.in website is open for taking feedback, where suggestions can be given till 16th March. This commission is to improve the old system, so that employees and pensioners can deal with inflation. For example, the minimum pension is currently Rs 9,000, which may increase to Rs 25,000 in the new commission, but this is just an estimate. The actual decision will be taken after the report.

What about those retiring before December 31, 2025?

The biggest question is that if someone retires by the end of 2025, will his pension increase with the new commission? Rumors spread that such people would be left out, but the government made it clear that this is not the case. The 8th Commission has been asked to cover all pensioners, irrespective of when they retired. Meaning, those retiring by December 31, 2025 will also be entitled to the revised pension, provided the recommendations of the Commission are implemented. Same thing happened in the old commissions also, like in the 7th commission, the retirees before 2016 also got the benefit.

The old decisions of the Supreme Court have also given assurance that there cannot be discrimination in pension. Currently there are more than 33 lakh pensioners, and this number is increasing. If someone is nearing retirement, there is no need to worry, because the rules will apply equally to everyone. Just waiting for the commission’s report.

What did the Finance Ministry say in its statement?

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary Recently, he gave a written reply in the Parliament that pension revision does not happen automatically from Finance Bill 2025. This is done by the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 2021 and other rules. The commission has the right to make recommendations on pension, and the government will issue orders after accepting it. There is no cut-off date for exclusion. This statement came in the Rajya Sabha on 9 February 2026, when the MP asked whether old retirees would be excluded.

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The minister said that the Finance Act only improves the process, it does not make any change in the right to receive pension. This has brought relief to pensioners. Also, there is an opportunity for feedback on the Commission’s website, so that people can give their opinion.