New Delhi/IBNS: The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revision of the pension of Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) that will benefit over 25.13 lakh beneficiaries.

The revised pension will be effective from July 1, 2019.

Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of an average of minimum and maximum pension of Defence Forces retirees of the calendar year 2018 in the same rank with the same length of service.

Pension for those drawing above the average will be protected. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners, including war widows and disabled pensioners.

Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners, including those in receipt of Special/Liberalised Family Pension and Gallantry Award Winners, will be paid arrears in one instalment.

The estimated annual expenditure for the implementation of the revision has been calculated as nearly Rs 8,450 crore with 31% Dearness Relief (DR).

Arrears effective from July 01, 2019, to December 31, 2021, have been calculated as over Rs 19,316 crore based on DR @ 17% and @31% for the period from July 01, 2021, to December 31, 2021.

Arrears implemented from July 01, 2019, to June 30, 2022, have been calculated as approx. Rs 23,638 crore as per the applicable dearness relief.

This expenditure is over and above the ongoing expenditure on account of OROP.