After the Centre announced the formation of the 8th Pay Commission to review salaries of central government employees, several questions began circulating about pensions, dearness allowance (DA), and post-retirement benefits. One viral message on social media even claimed that pensioners would no longer receive DA hikes under the Finance Act 2025. The government has now stepped in to clear the confusion.
Viral WhatsApp Message Sparks Concern
Over the past few days, a message circulating widely on WhatsApp claimed that the central government had withdrawn post-retirement benefits for pensioners. According to the message, retired government employees would no longer be eligible for DA hikes or future Pay Commission revisions under the Finance Act 2025.
The claim created anxiety among pensioners, especially at a time when discussions around the 8th Pay Commission are gaining momentum.
Government Calls Claim ‘Fake’
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the central government issued a clear clarification through an official PIB Fact Check post on X (formerly Twitter). The government termed the viral message false and misleading.
🚨 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A message circulating on #WhatsApp claims that the Central Government has withdrawn post-retirement benefits like DA hikes and Pay Commission revisions for retired… pic.twitter.com/T3ylHEvCXt
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) December 13, 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“A message circulating on #WhatsApp claims that the Central Government has withdrawn post-retirement benefits like DA hikes and Pay Commission revisions for retired employees under the Finance Act 2025,” the PIB Fact Check post said.
The government categorically stated that pensioners will continue to receive DA hikes and Pay Commission benefits, and no such blanket withdrawal has been made.
When Can Pension Benefits Be Stopped?
Explaining the actual rule, the government said post-retirement benefits can only be stopped in very specific cases. According to the clarification, Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, amended recently, states that retirement benefits can be forfeited only if an employee is dismissed or removed from service on grounds of misconduct. The rule applies mainly to absorbed PSU employees and does not affect ordinary pensioners.
The government also referred to an official notification issued in May 2025, which clearly mentioned that pension benefits remain protected unless dismissal for misconduct is involved.
Why Dearness Allowance Matters
Dearness Allowance (DA) is a crucial part of a government employee’s salary and pension. It is designed to help employees and pensioners cope with rising inflation and increasing living costs.
A typical government salary includes basic pay, DA, house rent allowance (HRA), transport allowance, and other benefits. For retirees, DA helps maintain purchasing power even after retirement.
Recent DA Hike Still in Effect
Reassuring employees and pensioners further, the government highlighted that on October 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a 3% DA hike for all central government employees and pensioners. The increase was based on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission and was announced ahead of the festive season.
Advisory to the Public
The government urged citizens to avoid believing unverified messages circulating on social media and advised people to rely only on official government announcements for matters of public interest.
With this clarification, pensioners can rest assured that their DA hikes and retirement benefits remain safe.
