Is the door of ‘Old Pension Scheme’ (OPS) completely closed for officers who joined government service after 2004? If you think so, wait!
According to the new rules issued on 22 April 2026, the option of Old Pension (OPS) is still available even in the NPS era. The government has issued a ‘Form-1’ for this.
After all, under what circumstances and how will officers born after 2004 also get the benefit of old pension? Come, let us understand this rule.
How to get ‘Old Pension’ (OPS) among NPS? first understand this
- Big reveal: Under Rule 10, NPS employees can also get the benefit of the old pension rules of 1958.
- Option Opportunity: At the time of joining, employees will have to choose between NPS or old pension (in case of death/illness).
- Form-1: This is the ‘magical form’ which will entitle your family to the old pension in future.
- Default rule: Even if the employee forgets to choose the option, the government will keep him under the ‘old pension’ for the first 15 years.
- Who will get the benefit: This rule has been notified for IAS, IPS and IFS officers, but it forms the basis for central services.
1. Can people recruited after 2004 get OPS?
answer: Technically ‘yes’. According to Rule 10 of the new Gazette, if an officer dies during service or retires due to physical/mental unwellness (invalidation), then he or his family has been given the right to opt for Old Pension (OPS).
2. What will the employee have to do for this?
answer: It will be mandatory for every officer to fill ‘Form 1’ while joining the service. In this form, you will have to make it clear whether in case of any untoward incident, you want the corpus of NPS or the ‘old family pension’ as per the rules of 1958.
3. What if I don’t choose an option?
answer: The government has given big relief here. If an officer forgets to exercise the option and dies within the first 15 years of his service, he will be given the benefit of Old Age Pension (OPS) by default. NPS will be effective after 15 years.
Must read this also: NPS Rules: If you want to withdraw your money from NPS, do not make these 5 mistakes, understand the easy process of withdrawal here.
4. Can I get OPS even after retirement?
answer: No, only NPS will be applicable on normal superannuation. This special ‘OPS Option’ is only for cases of exclusion due to death in service or serious illness/disability (invalidation).
5. What is the difference between the benefits of old pension and NPS?
answer: In Old Pension (OPS), 50% of the last salary is guaranteed and dearness allowance (DA) also increases. Whereas in NPS one has to depend on market returns. That is why the government has kept the door of OPS open as a security cover in case of death or disability.
New mathematics of pension rules (AIS Rules 2026)
| Situation. | What will be getting? (Option A) | What will be getting? (Option B) |
| death in service | 1958 Rules (Old Pension) | NPS corpus + interest |
| Disability/Illness | old life pension | NPS money |
| normal retirement | Not applicable | Benefit of NPS only |
| necessary documents | Form 1 | Form 1 |
Work Matters: What does it mean to you?
This notification is a big message that the government does not want to step back on the ‘social security’ front. The biggest worry for the post-2004 batch was that if something happened to them, what would happen to the family? Now:
1. Your family will not depend on market fluctuations (NPS).
2. The certainty of old pension is a great ‘mental peace’.
3. alert: Make sure that your chosen option (Form 1) is updated in your ‘Service Record’, otherwise legal complications may arise at the time of claim.
Why did the government give this option?
The main reason for this is ‘difficult service conditions’. IAS-IPS officers often work in risky areas. The government wants these officers, who work in challenging circumstances, to be assured that in their absence, their families will get assured financial security like ‘old pension’.