Ahead of next pay commission-QUESTIONNAIRE : PENSION IN RESPECT OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL

QUESTIONNAIRE : PENSION IN RESPECT OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL

1.        Pension of the Armed Forces personnel has been the biggest casualty in most pay commissions. Little has been done to address the disadvantages of the “terms and Conditions of engagement” and the “retirement conditions”. A soldier retires healthier but dies younger than his counterparts is a testimony to this fact. In the pre independence era the pension of the Armed forces personnel ranged between 50 -100 % while that of his counterpart did not exceed 50%. It is a known fact that most Armed force personnel retire at a relatively young age. They find themselves out of job and the pension they get is quite inadequate considering the fact they have to shoulder burgeoning responsibilities. The problem is accentuated on the untimely demise of the pensioner. Towards this a study is being undertaken at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad for giving recommendation to the VII pay commission for enhancement of the pension.

2.         This questionnaire is to be administered to both retired (including Next of Kin (NOK), if drawing family pension) and serving personnel (Lt Cols and above  and JCO/OR if in last five years of their retirement in the present rank).

3.         Recommendations given by CDM earlier were suitably projected in the VI pay commission resulting in overall benefit. A similar endeavour is being undertaken again.

Part 1: Personal Particulars

Rank                                       Name:                                                 Serving/Retired

(If NOK state particulars of your relation)

Service:     Army/ Air Force / Navy

If Retired

Date of Commission/Enrollment:                               Date of retirement:     

Age at retirement:

Total last pay drawn :                                      Pension sanctioned :

Are you drawing Disability Pension:               Percentage of Disability:

Are you drawing Family pension:                               What Kind of Family Pension:

Educational qualification at retirement:                     

If Serving:

Number of Years of Service:

Likely date of retirement (in Present Rank):

Likely age at the time of retirement :

PART 2

(To be answered by Serving, Retired & Next of Kin)

Q1.      Please provide the following details with regards to your family at the time of your retirement (Serving personnel to provide the likely details at the time of their retirement):-

Parents	Dependent	Age	Employed
Father	YES / NO		YES / NO
Mother	YES / NO		YES / NO

Children (specify)	Dependent	Age	Employed	Studying (specify)	Married	Special Child
Boy/Girl	YES / NO		YES / NO		YES / NO	YES / NO
Boy/Girl	YES / NO		YES / NO		YES / NO	YES / NO
Boy/Girl	YES / NO		YES / NO		YES / NO	YES / NO
Boy/Girl	YES / NO		YES / NO		YES / NO	YES / NO

Brother/Sister (specify)	Dependent	Age	Employed		Studying (specify)	Married	Special Child
Brother/Sister	YES / NO		YES / NO			YES / NO	YES / NO
Brother/Sister	YES / NO		YES / NO			YES / NO	YES / NO
Brother/Sister	YES / NO		YES / NO			YES / NO	YES / NO
Brother/Sister	YES / NO		YES / NO			YES / NO	YES / NO
Do you own a house of your own				YES / NO
Do you own a transport of your own				YES / NO
Any Other Liability. Pl Specify

Q2.      Armed Forces personnel are compulsorily retired due to lack of promotional opportunities and cadre vacancies at an early age of 35-45 for JCOs/OR and 52 onwards for officers, unlike the civilian counterparts in govt service who serve till 60 yrs.

(a)          Do you think a severance pay (golden handshake) be given to all ranks retiring before 60 yrs.     

            Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

            (b)        At what percentage should they be compensated (tick one for each age group):-

Age on retirement	5% extra	10% extra	15% extra	20 % extra	25% extra
35-40 Yrs
40 -45 Yrs
45-50 Yrs
50 -55 Yrs
55 -60 yrs

Q 3.     At the time of retirement the pensioner finds himself without a job and his personal responsibilities are mushrooming. Presently pension is being paid at  50%  of the basic pay, grade pay and Military Service Pay. In your opinion, what should be the pension, to live with self respect (Tick the appropriate answer):-

(a)  80 % of last pay drawn.                (b) 75 % of last pay drawn.

(c) 70 % of last pay drawn.                 (d) 60% of last pay drawn.                  (e) No Change.

Q4.      Gratuity is presently capped at Rs 10 Lakhs. It should be authorised as per the number of years of commissioned/coloured service without any cap.                            

            Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

Q 5.     Presently commuted pension is recovered at the rate of 8% interest as against the earlier figures of 4%. What do you feel should be the rate of interest charged :-

(a)          4%.                                          (b)        5 %

(c)        6%                                           (d)        7 %

(e)        8%

Family Pension

Q6.      Demise of the bread winner is an unfortunate event leaving the widow burdened with all responsibility. As of now enhanced family pension is admissible for 10 years from the date of death if in service or for 7 years or  till such time person would have reached 67 years of age (whichever is earlier) for a retiree. Does it need a change or enhancement?            YES  /  NO

Q 7.     If yes, what should be the criteria (tick the appropriate answer)?

(a)        Should it be same across the board for a minimum period of 10 yrs or  till the individual would have attained 67 yrs of age whichever is later.

(b)        Should it be same across the board for a period till the individual would have attained 70 yrs since life expectancy has improved.

(c)        Pension should continue till the actual demise of the primary Next of Kin.

Disability Pension

Q 8.     For a  100% disability, what percentage of last reckonable emoluments should be paid as the disability element :-

(a)        50 %.                           (b)        45 %

(c)        40%.                            (d)        35 %                (e)        Same as now (30%).

Q 9.     The present disability pension is authorized to those personnel who have a disability of 20% or more. All individuals irrespective of the percentage of disability (when caused or aggravated by military conditions) should be granted compensation.

Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

Q 10.   Constant Medical Attendant where authorized, presently is entitled Rs 3000 per Month. How much do you think it needs to be enhanced (tick the appropriate answer):-

(a)        Rs 10,000.                   (b)        Rs 8000.

(c)        Rs  7,000.                    (d)        Rs 5000.          (e)        No Change.

Q 11.   The allowance paid for constant medical attendant should cater for inflation by authorizing DA on the same.                                                                                                                      Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

MIsc

Q 12. Are there any suggestions/ recommendations concerning pensions. Please specify in brief (attach separate sheet if required):-

 PART III

(to be answered by all Pensioners  or their Next of Kin)

Q 13.   In the armed forces, you were used to a particular standard of living. With  the emoluments you received on retirement, comparatively what  standard could you maintain? (tick the appropriate answer) :-

            (a) Similar to that of prior to retirement.             (b) About 75% of prior to retirement

(c) Between 50-75% of prior to retirement   (d) Between 25-50% of prior to retirement

(e) Below 25% of prior to retirement

Q 14.   Was your wife employed (earning) when  you retired.                                  YES / NO

            If yes pl specify the pay package:-

(a)          More than 25000.                                (b) Between Rs 15000 to  Rs 25000.

(c)        Between Rs 5000 to Rs 15000.          (d)  Less than Rs 5000.

Q 15.   Did you acquire any additional skill level while in service that could help in your job after retirement.                                                                                                          YES / NO

If yes please specify :-

Q 16.   The need for a  job after retirement has become mandatory to lead a decent life after retirement.            

             Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

Q 17.   At what time period could you pick up a job (tick the appropriate answer) ?

(a)          Immediately (within six months)         (b)        within one year.

(c)        Within 1 -2 years                                 (d)        2-5 years

(e)        More than 5 years

Q 18.   When you scout for a job, how easy was it to find a job suiting your reasonable aspirations commensurate to your pre-retirement standing  (tick the appropriate answer) ?

(a)          Very easy                                (b)        Easy

(c)        Neutral                                    (d)        Tough

(e)        Very Tough

Q19.    At what pay bracket are you working after retirement :-

(a)More than the last pay drawn.                    (b) Between 75 % to 100 % of last pay

(c)Between 50 % to 75 % of last pay.            (d) Between 25 % to 50 % of last pay.

(e)Less then 25%.

Q 20.   The present system of disbursement of pay through the PPO/Banks is adequate.

            Strongly Agree  /  Agree  / Neutral  / Disagree  /  Strongly Disagree

Q 21.   Are you aware of your exact pension entitlements from time to time                       YES / NO

Q 22.  How do you come to know about the changes in entitlements or the rules/regulations:-

(a)        Through Zilla Sainik Board                 (b)        Through Regimental Centres.

(c)        Through Army HQs                            (d)        Through Other Ex- Servicemen

(e)        Through Media                                   

(f)        Other means (Please Specify).         

Q 23.  Are you affected by any specific anomaly while drawing pension. Please elaborate your case.