Chennai: Pension security for Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers has taken a major step forward as the state government officially rolled out the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TNAPS), introducing assured retirement benefits after nearly two decades of persistent demand.

Chief Minister M K Stalin approved the implementation of the new pension scheme last week, and the government has now issued a formal order detailing the framework, eligibility, and retirement benefits under TNAPS.

Designed as a balanced reform, the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme blends features of the former defined pension system with the contributory pension model, ensuring long-term financial stability for state employees and teachers.

Under TNAPS, eligible employees will receive a guaranteed pension equivalent to 50 per cent of their last drawn basic pay and dearness allowance (DA). Pensioners under the scheme will continue to receive DA revisions twice a year, on par with serving government employees.

The rollout fulfils a long-standing demand from employee and teacher unions since the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) replaced the old pension model. To support the enhanced pension benefits, the state has reiterated that 10 per cent of an employee’s salary will be deducted as a contribution.

According to the government order, TNAPS will be mandatory for all government employees and teachers who joined service from the first day of last month. Employees previously covered under CPS who retired on or after that date will also be brought under the new assured pension framework.

A key feature of the new system is flexibility for employees who joined service prior to the cut-off period. Such employees will have the option at retirement to choose between CPS and TNAPS. Those opting to shift to the assured pension framework will be considered eligible for minimum assured pension benefits.

Government employee and teacher organisations have welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant welfare reform, while urging the state to expedite detailed implementation rules. The Tamil Nadu government has confirmed that a comprehensive notification covering eligibility norms, procedural guidelines, and execution mechanisms will be issued shortly.

The launch of the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TNAPS) is being widely viewed as a landmark social welfare initiative, restoring pension security and long-term financial assurance to thousands of public servants, while marking a major policy milestone for the state government.

IANS