Life Certificate 2024 deadline: Missing this date could halt your pension

Life certificate 2024 deadline: For pensioners across India, November 30, 2024, marks the critical deadline to submit their annual Life Certificate. This document is essential for verifying that pensioners are alive, allowing pension disbursing authorities to continue pension payments only to eligible recipients. Missing this deadline could result in pension payments being halted temporarily, making timely submission crucial.

The Life Certificate, also known as Jeevan Pramaan in its digital form, can be submitted in various ways to suit the diverse needs of pensioners, especially those who may face challenges with mobility or accessing physical locations.

Starting from November 1, all pensioners have been able to submit their Life Certificates, with the deadline set for November 30, 2024. Pensioners aged 80 and above were given an earlier submission window beginning October 1, providing them additional time to complete the process with ease. This provision was designed to offer senior pensioners a head start, acknowledging the possible extra time they may need.

What makes Jeevan Pramaan a convenient option?

Jeevan Pramaan, the Digital Life Certificate, simplifies the pension process using biometrics. Before its launch in November 2021, pensioners had to visit offices or banks annually to submit their life certificates, which was difficult for those with mobility issues or in remote areas. Now, with Jeevan Pramaan, pensioners can easily submit their certificates online from a smartphone or laptop using biometric authentication.

How pensioners can submit their life certificate

Physical submission at Citizen Service Centres (CSCs):

• Pensioners can visit any of the Citizen Service Centres (CSCs) located nationwide to submit their Life Certificate.
• These centres are equipped to assist pensioners in completing the submission process.

Submission at banks, post offices, or state treasury offices:

• Pensioners can submit their Life Certificate at designated counters in banks, post offices, or state treasury offices, where officials are set up to handle such requests.

Doorstep services for senior pensioners or those with mobility issues:

•   Public Sector Banks- Many public sector banks now offer home visits by banking representatives to assist senior pensioners or those with mobility challenges in submitting their Life Certificates.
•  India Post Payments Bank- Pensioners can also opt for a postman service to assist them at home with the Life Certificate submission, available through India Post Payments Bank.

Digital submission via Jeevan Pramaan mobile app:

• Pensioners comfortable with technology can download the Jeevan Pramaan mobile app on their smartphones. This app allows them to submit their Life Certificate digitally from anywhere.
• For those requiring additional security, the Aadhaar Face RD app can be used for facial authentication to complete the process seamlessly.

Why the life certificate is crucial

The Life Certificate serves as an annual verification tool, mandated by both central and state government pension schemes, to confirm the pensioner’s existence. This prevents the possibility of fraudulent claims by ensuring that pensions are paid only to those still eligible. Pensioners who fail to submit the certificate on time may experience interruptions in their pension payments, which can be inconvenient or financially disruptive.

Additionally, the Life Certificate requirement ensures that public funds are responsibly managed by eliminating the risk of pensions being drawn on behalf of deceased individuals. By modernising this process through Jeevan Pramaan, the government has not only simplified the submission process but also enhanced transparency and accountability.

To avoid any interruption in their pension payments, pensioners must complete their Life Certificate submission by November 30, 2024.