Methods for Pensioners Living Abroad to Submit Life Certificate

Key Takeaways:

1. Pensioners living abroad, including NRIs, have multiple options for submitting their life certificate, including through authorized bank officers, embassy/consulate officials, or duly authorized agents.

2. Family pension processes for foreign-resident pensioners have been streamlined, with waivers for joint account holders and simplified requirements for other cases.

3. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) pensioners can have their pension amount credited to a non-resident (ordinary) account, and existing accounts can be converted to Non-resident Ordinary (NRO) Accounts upon notifying the pension paying branch in India.

4. Annual life certificate submission is mandatory in November, and it must be issued by an authorized representative of the Indian Embassy or High Commission, Consul of Indian Consulates, Notary Public, or Officer of an Indian Authorized Bank in the nation where the pensioner resides.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has provided information on the various methods available for pensioners living abroad, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), to submit their life certificate. This information was outlined in an office memorandum dated September 22, 2021.

Submission of Life Certificate for Pensioners Living Abroad

For pensioners residing abroad, the following methods are available for the submission of a life certificate:

1. Through Bank Included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934:

If the pensioner is drawing a pension through any bank included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the life certificate may be signed by an officer of the bank.

2. Embassy/High Commission/Indian Consulates:

An authorized official of the Embassy of India/High Commission of India/Indian Consulates may issue the life certificate.

If the pensioner is unable to visit the Embassy/Consulate, they may submit the requisite documents by post, including a Doctor’s Certificate showing their inability to present themselves in person. The Embassy of India/High Commission/Indian Consulate may also assist pensioners/family pensioners in the submission of the Life Certificate.

3. Duly Authorized Agent:

A pensioner not resident in India, in respect of whom a duly authorized agent produces a Life Certificate, signed by a magistrate or a notary or an officer of an Indian authorized Bank or Diplomatic Representative of India, is exempted from special appearance.

4. Complaints and Instructions to Agency Banks:

To alleviate the hardship faced by pensioners, agency banks are instructed to mandatorily issue duly signed acknowledgements for life certificates submitted over the counter of pension paying branches. They were also advised to consider entering the receipt of life certificate in CBS and issue a system-generated acknowledgement.

Family Pension Process for Foreign-Resident Pensioners

When a foreign-resident pensioner passes away, the following process will be performed to begin the family pension: If the pensioner and spouse have a joint account, the Form 14 requirement has been waived. The spouse may notify the pension disbursing bank of the pensioner’s death through a simple letter and request that the family pension be started.

In other circumstances, such as when the pension is not credited to the pensioner’s joint bank account, the banks will continue to acquire Form 14 from the family pensioner. However, the requirement of attestation of Form 14 has been removed, and two witnesses are regarded as adequate.

NRI Pensioner

For Non-Resident Indian (NRI) pensioners, the Authorised Bank (AB) may credit the pension amount of non-resident to a non-resident (ordinary) account opened/maintained as per the provision of the Exchange Control. If the pensioner has an existing account, they should notify the pension paying branch in India that they have become a non-resident Indian. The paying branch in India will then convert the pensioner’s account to a Non-resident Ordinary (NRO) Account upon receiving this information.

Annual Life Certificate Requirement

Every year in November, the pensioner is required to present the life certificate that was issued by an authorized representative of the Indian Embassy or High Commission, Consul of Indian Consulates, Notary Public, or Officer of an Indian Authorized Bank attached to its branch in the nation where the pensioner resides.

This information is crucial for pensioners living abroad, including NRIs, to ensure the smooth processing of their pension and family pension benefits.

FAQ

Q1: What are the options for pensioners living abroad to submit their life certificate?

A1: Pensioners living abroad can submit their life certificate through authorized bank officers, embassy/consulate officials, or duly authorized agents.

Q2: What are the streamlined processes for family pensioners of foreign-resident pensioners?

A2: Joint account holders have waivers for certain requirements, and the attestation requirement for Form 14 has been removed, with two witnesses considered adequate in other cases.

Q3: How can Non-Resident Indian (NRI) pensioners manage their pension accounts?

A3: NRI pensioners can have their pension amount credited to a non-resident (ordinary) account, and existing accounts can be converted to Non-resident Ordinary (NRO) Accounts upon notifying the pension paying branch in India.

Q4: When is the annual life certificate submission required for pensioners living abroad?

A4: Pensioners are required to submit their life certificate annually in November, issued by an authorized representative of the Indian Embassy or High Commission, Consul of Indian Consulates, Notary Public, or Officer of an Indian Authorized Bank in the nation where the pensioner resides.