Archive · 8 Oct 2026
EPFO Family Pension Rules for Spouses and Children After Death
When someone receiving an EPS pension dies, some family members may be able to get a pension too.
The money does not start automatically, so the family must contact EPFO and apply.
A spouse may receive part of the pension until they die or remarry.
Up to two eligible children may also receive payments until they turn 25.
Adopted children can qualify under the scheme’s rules.
A child with a disability may receive payments for life.
If both parents have died, eligible children may receive an orphan pension.
These payments have minimum amounts set out in the scheme.
An eligible spouse must notify the EPFO Regional Office and file a prescribed claim; the pension does not transfer automatically.
A widow or widower receives 50% of the deceased pensioner’s monthly pension, subject to scheme rules and a stated minimum of ₹1,000 per month.
Up to two eligible children can receive a pension until age 25; each is eligible for 25% of the pension amount, with a stated minimum of ₹250 per month.
Eligible legally adopted children are covered, and a child with a disability may receive pension for life.
If both parents are deceased, eligible children may qualify for an orphan pension of 75% of the pension amount, subject to a minimum of ₹750 per month; it generally ends at age 25, except for a child with a disability.
- Who
- Eligible spouses and children of a deceased Employees’ Pension Scheme pensioner.
- What
- Rules for claiming spouse, children’s and orphan pensions after an EPS pensioner dies.
- When
- After the pensioner’s death; children’s pension generally ends at age 25, while a qualifying disabled child may receive it for life.
- Where
- Through the concerned EPFO Regional Office.
- Why
- The Employees’ Pension Scheme provides family pension support to eligible dependants, subject to its rules and a claim.
Family pension eligibility
Conditions and limits
Spouse’s benefit
Family pension eligibility
An eligible widow or widower can claim family pension after the pensioner’s death.
Conditions and limits
The spouse must notify EPFO and apply; payment lasts only until death or remarriage, whichever occurs first.
Children’s benefit
Family pension eligibility
Eligible children, including legally adopted children, may receive pension in addition to the spouse’s pension; a disabled child may qualify for lifelong support.
Conditions and limits
The scheme generally limits children’s pension to two children and ends it at age 25, except for the stated disability provision.
- Spouse pension
- 50% of the pensioner’s monthly pension, subject to scheme rules; stated minimum ₹1,000 per month.
- Spouse duration
- Until the spouse dies or remarries, whichever happens earlier.
- Children eligible
- Up to two eligible children; coverage can extend to age 25.
- Children’s pension
- Each eligible child receives 25% of the pension amount, subject to a stated minimum of ₹250 per month.
- Orphan pension
- 75% of the pension amount, subject to a stated minimum of ₹750 per month.
- Orphan pension duration
- Generally until age 25; a child with a mental or physical disability may receive it for life.
- Claim process
- Notify the concerned EPFO Regional Office and submit the prescribed application; payment is not automatic.