The Union Cabinet has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. Following this, a message has been rapidly going viral on social media, including WhatsApp. It claims that the central government has discontinued the Dearness Allowance (DA) hike and Central Pay Commission benefits for retired government employees under the Finance Act of 2025. However, this is hoax news and completely untrue; the government has not included any such provision in the Finance Act 2025.
The viral message states:
“As per the new rules, pensioners will no longer be eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA) hikes or future Pay Commission benefits, including the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. The Finance Act 2025 states that the government will not be responsible for maintaining the financial benefits of retired employees. This means that Pay Commission benefits and DA increases will not apply to those who have already retired.”
What’s True and What’s Not
The central government’s fact-checker, PIB Fact Check, has dismissed this claim as false. PIB Fact Check posted on its official X account on Thursday, clarifying that the news is false. The fact-check states:
🚨 Will retired Govt employees stop getting DA hikes & Pay Commission benefits under the Finance Act 2025⁉️
A message circulating on #WhatsApp claims that the Central Government has withdrawn post-retirement benefits like DA hikes and Pay Commission revisions for retired… pic.twitter.com/E2mCRMPObO---Advertisement---— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) November 13, 2025
“Will retired government employees stop receiving DA hikes and Pay Commission benefits under the Finance Act 2025? A message is going viral on WhatsApp claiming that the central government has stopped post-retirement benefits like DA hikes and Pay Commission revisions for retired employees under the Finance Act 2025. This claim is #FAKE!”
CCS Pension Rule Amendment
The fact-check further details how Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, has been amended. According to this amendment, if a government employee is dismissed for wrongdoing, their retirement benefits will be forfeited. Earlier in May this year, PIB issued a press release informing employees about the amendment to Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules.
