Pensioners’ DA and 8th Pay Commission ended? Viral message created a stir, the truth turned out to be something else…

In recent times, a message is becoming increasingly viral on WhatsApp and social media, which has shocked the hearts of lakhs of retired government employees and pensioners. It is being claimed in the message that through the Finance Act 2025, the government has taken away all the major benefits of pensioners. Especially Dearness Allowance (DA), future pay commission and the upcoming 8th Pay Commission – all gone! But what is the truth? Has the government really given such a big blow to pensioners? Let us know the whole truth…

What is written in the viral message?

It is being clearly claimed in the viral message that now retired employees will not get increase in DA. It is also being said that any upcoming pay commission, especially the 8th Pay Commission, will not be applicable on pensioners. The message is so scary that it is written – “Lakhs of pensioners will be ruined!”

Fact Check: PIB told the whole truth

The government’s official fact checking agency, Press Information Bureau (PIB), has termed this message as completely fake and misleading. PIB has clearly said that there is no such rule in the Finance Act 2025 which can take away the benefit of DA or pay commission from pensioners. As before, DA will keep increasing and whenever the new pay commission comes, pensioners will also get its benefits – just like before!

Why did the confusion spread?

Actually, this confusion started with a small change in Rule 37 of CCS (Pension) Rules 2021. This rule applies only to those special government employees who have been sent to PSU (Public Sector Company). If they are proven to have committed serious corruption or misconduct even after retirement, some of their retirement benefits may be stopped. But this has nothing to do with ordinary pensioners, DA hike or the 8th Pay Commission!

So are DA and 8th Pay Commission being closed?

no way! The government has neither stopped the increase in DA nor excluded pensioners from the future pay commission. Whenever the new Pay Commission comes into force, its recommendations will apply to existing employees as well as pensioners – as has always been the case.

So next time you get such a message, don’t panic, check the facts first!