India state pension 2026: how it is calculated
The public pension in India follows national rules that usually look at your years of work or contributions, your pay and the age at which you claim it. The calculator above applies the 2026 rules to your own working life. Below you will find the rules in brief, an example by claim age and what your contributions buy.
The rules in brief
- EPS pension: The Employees’ Pension Scheme pays pensionable salary (average of the last 60 months, at most ₹15,000) × years of service ÷ 70, with service counted up to 35 years and 2 extra years after 20 years: at most ₹7,500 and at least ₹1,000 a month. You need 10 years of service; the pension starts at 58, from 50 with 4% less for each year earlier, or up to 60 with 4% more a year. Members who joined after August 2014 with basic pay above ₹15,000 are not covered.
- EPF savings: Your 12% and the rest of the employer’s 12% build up in the Employees’ Provident Fund with yearly interest (8.25% for 2024-25). You can withdraw it on retirement from 55; withdrawals after 5 years of membership are tax-free. There is no general state pension.
Example: pension by claim age
| Age | Status | Gross / month | Net / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Full pension | ₹18,078 | ₹18,078 |
| 61 | Full pension | ₹18,431 | ₹18,431 |
| 62 | Full pension | ₹18,819 | ₹18,819 |
| 63 | Full pension | ₹19,249 | ₹19,249 |
| 64 | Full pension | ₹19,727 | ₹19,727 |
| 65 | Full pension | ₹20,261 | ₹20,261 |
| 66 | Full pension | ₹20,863 | ₹20,863 |
For someone aged 35 today who has worked 10 years so far, with an average of ₹40,000 gross a month until now, earning ₹50,000 from now with pay rising 1% a year above inflation, who works 25 more years. Amounts in today’s money, 12 payments a year. Enter your own career in the calculator for your figure.
How the example is made up
EPS pension ₹7,500 a month (35 years of pensionable service). EPF savings of about ₹1,553,195, shown as ₹8,529 a month if drawn down evenly over your life expectancy (3% real return assumed); EPF withdrawals after 5 years of membership are tax-free.
What your contributions buy
Over the whole career you would pay ₹712,800 in pension contributions (₹1,425,600 including your employer’s share). With a net pension of ₹192,352 a year and about 20.6 years in retirement at average life expectancy, you would receive about ₹3,952,826 in all, 5.55× your own contributions. The pension replaces 26.6% of your final net salary.
Frequently asked questions
How much pension will I get in India?
In the example, ₹16,029.30 net a month (₹16,029.30 gross) when claiming at 58 after 33 years of work. Your own amount depends on your years of contributions and your pay: enter them in the calculator above.
Can I retire early in India?
Not in the example: the pension starts at 60. Check the rules above for any exceptions that may apply to you.
What if I work longer?
The pension goes up: at 62 it would be ₹18,819 net a month in the example, against ₹18,078 at 60.
Is this my official pension?
No, it is an estimate under the 2026 rules. Your official pension statement from the pension authority in India is the final word.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” above. Last checked: October 2026. The amounts are estimates for information, not financial or legal advice.