Andhra Pradesh allows certain government workers to move to old pension scheme

The Andhra Pradesh government issued clear guidelines on Monday for employees who want to switch from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Old Pension Scheme.

Who Is Eligible

This one-time choice is open to serving employees, retired workers, and family pension beneficiaries. Workers can apply if their recruitment notification or advertisement came out before September 1, 2004, but their actual appointment happened on or after that date. Eligible persons must submit their choices by December 31, 2026, based on the order issued by Principal Secretary for Finance Peeyush Kumar.

Background

The state government started the Contributory Pension Scheme on September 1, 2004, for all new state workers, matching the central government's National Pension System. Later, the central government allowed a one-time shift for workers whose hiring started before the new system but finished after it. Andhra Pradesh adopted this central policy for its own workforce.

Official Duties

Appointing authorities must process all proposals quickly. Heads of offices need to keep proper records to ensure clear and timely payment of pension benefits. Secretariat departments, heads of departments, and the Director of Treasuries and Accounts must strictly follow these instructions.

Context

Pension policies are a major financial topic for government workers across India, as older pension plans typically offered more financial security after retirement than newer contributory models. States often adjust their rules to match central government decisions regarding employee benefits.