Frequently Asked Questions on (PM-SYM) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan

Q.1.      What is PM-SYM?

Ans.     Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) is a voluntary and contributory Pension Scheme for Unorganized Workers for entry age of 18 to 40 years with monthly income of Rs.15000 or less.

Q2.       Is it a Government scheme?

Ans.      Yes.

Q3.       Who can subscribe this Scheme?

Ans.      Any unorganized worker in the age group of 18-40 years,  whose job is casual in nature , such as home based workers, street vendors, head loaders, brick kiln, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer-men, Rickshaw Pullers, Rural landless labourers, own account workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, etc.  with monthly income less than Rs 15,000/-. The worker should not be covered under any statutory social security schemes such as National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation scheme, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization Scheme and is not an income tax payee.

Q4.       What is the benefit of this Scheme?

Ans.      If any unorganised worker subscribes the scheme and has paid regular contribution up to the age of 60 years, he will get a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000/-. After his/her death, spouse will receive a monthly family pension which is 50 % of the pension. 

Q5.       How many years the beneficiary will contribute?

Ans.      Once the beneficiary joins the scheme at the entry age between 18-40 years, he has to contribute till he attains the age 60 years.

Q6.       How much pension would be received under the Scheme? At what age?

Ans.      Under the Scheme, minimum pension is of Rs. 3000/- per month shall be paid. This pension will start on attaining the age of 60 years of the subscriber.

Q7.       Who are not entitled to join this Scheme?

Ans.      Under the scheme any worker who is covered under any statutory Social Security Scheme such as NPS, ESIC, EPFO and an income tax payee is not entitled to join the scheme.

Q8.       What will be the procedure for joining this scheme?

Ans.      Under the scheme, the subscriber, may visit the nearest Common Service Centre and get enrolled for PM-SYM using Aadhar number and savings bank account/Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis. All the branch Offices of LIC, offices of EPFO/ESIC will also facilitate the subscribers about the scheme, its benefits and the procedure to be followed, for enrollment. They will also advise them on locating the nearest CSC.

Q9.       Where do I go for enrolment?

Ans.      You may please go to the nearest Common Service Centre for enrolment.  You can use the locator at locator.csccloud.in/.&nbsp

Q.10.     Whether I have to give proof of my date of birth and income?

Ans.      No separate proof of age or the income has to be given. Self Certification and providing of the Aadhaar number will be the basis for enrollment. However in case of any false declaration, may attract appropriate penalty.

Q.11.    Who will be the fund Manager?

Ans.      LIC will be the fund manager and will also be the service provider for pension pay out.  

Q.12.    Whether the fund is secure with L.I.C.?

Ans.      The fund is 100% secure. The overall responsibility of managing and supervising the fund will be with National Social Security Board which is functional under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of Labour and Employment.

Q.13.    What are the exit provisions?

Ans.      Considering the hardships and erratic nature of employability of the unorganised workers, the exit provisions are flexible. Exit provisions are as under:

•   If beneficiary moves to any organized sector and remains there for a minimum period of 3 years, his account will be active but Government’s contribution (50%) shall be stopped. If beneficiary agrees to pay entire amount of the contribution, he will be allowed to continue in this Scheme. At the age of 60, he will be allowed to withdraw his contribution with an interest equivalent to prevailing savings bank rates.
•   If he is unable to contribute owing disability or any other reasons, beneficiary may opt voluntarily to exit the scheme after minimum 5 years of regular contributions.

            On exit, his entire contribution (excluding govt. contribution) will be returned with an interest equivalent to savings bank rates.

Q.14.   What is the role of LIC?

Ans.      LIC will act as a fund manager for the scheme and will also be a service provider for payment of pension to all the Un- Organized workers who have subscribed the scheme.

Q.15.    What is the mode of contribution?

Ans.      Primarily, the mode of contribution is on monthly basis by auto-debit.  However, it will also have provisions of quarterly, half yearly and yearly contribution.  First contribution is to be paid in cash at Common Service Centre.

Q.16.    How much contribution I have to pay?

Ans.      The actual amount of the subscriber’s contribution will be determined at the entry age of the scheme. At median entry age of 29 years, a beneficiary is required to contribute Rs 100/ - per month.

Q.17.    Whether there is auto-debit facility?

Ans.     Yes. Monthly subscription shall be automatically debited on a fixed date of every month from his/her linked saving account.

Q.18.    What is the responsibility of Govt. of India?

Ans.      The scheme will be administered by Ministry of Labour and Employment.  Ministry of Labour and Employment will set up a dedicated Call Centre and Project Management Unit              (PMU). JS& Director General (Labour Welfare) will be the Nodal Officer of PMU to administer the scheme effectively. The PMU will also be responsible for performance audit, adequacy and fund management. The entire scheme will be supervised by National Social Security Board (NSSB) as mandated in the Section 5(8) (c) of the UWSS, Act 2008. 

Q.19.    Will there be any administrative cost?

Ans.      There will be no administrative cost to the subscriber as it is a purely Social Security Scheme of Government of India.

Q.20.    Whether nomination facility is there?

Ans.      Yes, under the scheme, nomination facility is available. Beneficiary can nominate any one as nominee under the scheme.

Q.21.     Whether family pension is there?

Ans.       Yes, there is a provision of the family pension under the scheme. It is applicable only to the spouse of the subscriber. If the subscriber dies, after the pension has commenced, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50 % of the pension.

Q.22.     How much time will it take to roll out the scheme across India?

Ans.      The scheme will be rolled out w.e.f 15^th Feb, 2019 in selected CSCs and by 25^th February, 2019 all across India.

Q.23      Is there any loss to the subscriber at any stage?

Ans.      There is no loss to the subscriber at any point of time. Even if the subscriber exists the scheme after 5 years of payment of regular contribution, his entire contribution will be returned with an interest equivalent to savings’ bank rates.

Q.24     If the payment of subscription is stopped, can a subscriber re-join/ revive the scheme again?

Ans.      If the payment of subscription has been stopped or delayed, even then the subscriber can revive the scheme after paying the outstanding subscription with interest at a later stage.

Q.25     Will a subscriber get a statement of the deposit?

Ans.      Yes, the subscriber will get sms as mini statement on each transaction on his mobile.

Q.26.     What happens if the subscriber exits the scheme before 10 years of regular contributions?

Ans.      In such an event the subscriber will be paid back only his/her   portion of total contribution with Savings’ bank interest.

Q.27.    What happens if the subscriber exits the scheme after 10 years but before the pension commences?

Ans.      In such an event the subscriber will be paid back only his/her contribution with accumulated interest. However, he will not be entitled to receive the Government’s share.

Q.28.    What happens in case of death before the start of pension?

Ans.      In such an event, if a beneficiary has given regular contribution and died due to any cause, his/her spouse will be entitled to join and continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution for the remaining period. On completion of the contribution period, the spouse will   receive a monthly pension of Rs. 3000/-. Alternatively,  if the spouse so desires, the amount of the member’s contribution will be returned back to his/ her nominee with an interest equivalent to saving bank rates interest.

Q.29.     Where do I go to solve my grievance?

Ans.      You may call toll free number or may visit CSC or Labour welfare office for any complaint/grievance relating to PM-SYM.

Q.30.     Are there any educational qualifications prescribed for becoming a Member of PM-SYM?

Ans.      No. There are no minimum educational qualifications necessary for joining the Scheme.

Q.31.    Can the Subscriber make voluntary contribution over and above the amount prescribed under the Scheme? If so, what will be the benefits to the Subscriber?

Ans.      No. the subscriber has to make only the fixed amount of contribution, as prescribed at the time of joining the Scheme.

Q.32.    Can the age be relaxed for the Unorganised Worker above relaxation 40 years, to join the Scheme, by making additional or higher contribution?

Ans.      No such relaxation is available under the provision of the Scheme.

Q.33.     Whether any nomination facility (other than spouse) is available after the death of the subscriber?

Ans.      Spouse, if living, will automatically be the beneficiary of family pension on information of death and production of death certificate.

Q.34.     Will there be any additional charge in case of any breaks in contribution by the subscriber?  If so, what will be the quantum of additional charges?

Ans.      If a subscriber has not paid the contribution continuously, he will be allowed to regularize his contribution by paying entire outstanding dues, along with penalty charges, if any, to be decided by the Government from time to time.

Q.35     Will Pension be paid to the dependents, in the event of death of Pensioner and his/her spouse, after the age of 60 years?

Ans.      No. After the death of subscriber as well as his/her spouse, the dependents will not be entitled for payment of pension.

Q.36     What are the documents that are to be submitted at the enrollment Centre?

Ans.      The subscriber has to provide Aadhar card, savings bank passbook and a Self-Certified form along with consent form for auto-debit facility.

Q.37      Is the subscriber required to pay the monthly contribution till the age of 60 years?

Ans.      Yes.  After joining the Scheme, the subscriber has to pay the prescribed monthly contribution till the age of 60 years. 

Q.38      What action is required to be taken by the Subscriber, after attaining the age of 60 years, for getting the pension?

Ans.      The monthly pension will get deposited in the subscriber’s linked Bank Account, after the subscriber attains the age of 60 years.

Q.39      If both husband and wife are members of PMSYM and both die, will other members of the family be eligible to receive pension or other benefits?

Ans.      The nominee can withdraw the Subscriber’s (both) contribution with interest.

Q.40      If the subscriber dies and his/her spouse opts to continue the Scheme by payment of contribution, in such case, whether the contribution is to be paid for remaining years of original subscriber or till the spouse attains the age of 60 years?

Ans.      In such a case, the contribution will be paid for the remaining/balance period till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60.

Q.41      Is there any provision for availing interim loan for education, marriage and construction.

Ans.      No such loan facility is available in the Scheme.

Q.42      State Governments are providing various benefits under their respective Unorganised Workers Schemes. Can such members also avail the benefits the present PMSYM Scheme?

Ans.      Yes, if the subscriber is eligible otherwise to join this Scheme

Q.43     Can a beneficiary who is a subscriber to Pension Provident Fund Scheme, be eligible to join PMSYM?

Ans.      No.

Q.44      Whether beneficiaries under Atal Pension Yojana can avail benefits under PMSYM?

Ans.      Yes. One can join PM-SYM also in addition to Atal Pension Yojana, if eligible.

Q.45      Will the quantum of pension be enhanced beyond Rs.3,000/- per month, due to inflation in future ?

Ans.      At present, there is no such provision, but depends on future circumstances.

Q.46      What will be the mode of payment for the subscriber’s contribution?

Ans.      The initial contribution to be paid by cash.  However, subsequent monthly contribution will be auto-debited from the subscriber’s savings bank account/jan-dhan account.

Q.47      What happens if the worker joins this Scheme as an unorganised worker and he joins the organized sector, gets enrolled under EPFO and again comes back to the unorganised   sector, what would be the modalities for the same?

Ans.      In case the worker moves from the unorganized sector to the organized sector, in such an event, the subscriber can continue with scheme however the Govt. contribution will stop and the member will have to pay additional amount equal to the Govt. Share. Alternatively, he may withdraw his contribution with interest.

Q.48      What happens if the worker loses source of income and is not able to contribute monthly premium?

Ans.      In such an event he can exit from the Scheme as per the provision already detailed.

Q.49      What happens if the subscriber’s income crosses Rs.15,000/- a month, after joining the Scheme?

Ans.      Subscriber can continue in the Scheme.

Q.50      What would be the modality for Aadhar based authentication /E-KYC?

Ans.      Through biometrics.

Q.51     Who will operate the help line/ grievance redressal mechanism?

Ans.      There is a designated call center for this and the toll free number is 1800 2676 888.

Q.52      Is there any partial withdrawal of contribution in case of certain exigencies? If yes, after how much lock-in period?

Ans.      There is no such facility for withdrawal of contribution, partially or fully.

Q.53      Is the E-card can be downloaded again in case of loss/damage, etc.?  Whether any charges are to be paid for the same?

Ans.      Yes the E-card can be downloaded in case of loss or damage.

Q.54      Whether savings bank account in a cooperative bank can also be linked for auto-debit facility for payment of contribution?

Ans.      If co-operative bank is on the CBS platform, the savings’ bank account can be linked for auto debit.

Q.55     If any State has not registered unorganised worker under UWSSA 2008, can the process of enrolment under this Scheme deemed to be registration process under Section 10(3) of the Act?

Ans.      No. Registration under Section 10(3) and enrollment under the scheme are separate processes.

Q.56      If CSC network is to be used for registration, how much would be the service charge, per registration, and who will bear the cost?

Ans.      Service charges for enrolment to be paid by MoLE and no Service charge payable by Subscriber.

Q.57      Whether the downloaded filled up application form will suffice for bank auto debit purpose – worker will not need to fill up any other form in the bank?

Ans.      The form has a section for the consent of the auto debit from his account, hence no other form is required.

Q.58      Is the SMS language in regional language of the State or in English/Hindi only?

Ans.      The SMS will be sent in English/Hindi Language.

Q.59      Is there any interactive map for finding the nearest location of the facilitation centre?

Ans.      Nearest location available on CSC site or the information will be available on the facilitation centres. You can use locator at locator.csccloud.in/.

Q.60      In case of default of subscription, what will be modality for payment of the defaulted premium?  Is it through auto debit or through cash or cheque?

Ans.      The amount of contribution along with penalty/ interest will be debited to the account of the Subscriber based on his consent.

Q.61      In case of worker having more than one spouse, which spouse would be declared as nominee and who will get the family pension?

Ans.      The spouse who is nominated by the subscriber will be entitled to receive the family pension. However, in case of rival claimants, court order will prevail.

Q.62      Is there a provision for migration of the pension account if the worker changes the linked bank account for auto debit?

Ans.      No, migration is required, the pension account number will be unique and will be linked to the bank account of the Subscriber.

Q.63      If Subscriber gives consent form physically for auto-debit facility.  But if there is insufficient balance in his bank account, what will happen to his account?

Ans.      It will be considered as default in payment and he will be allowed to regularize his contribution by paying entire outstanding dues, along with penalty charges, if any, to be decided by the Government from time to time.

Q.64     If any subscriber is having old Aadhar card, where only the year of birth is written on it, in that case how the date of birth is determined and on which date the pension will start?

Ans.      The date of birth will be determined based on the self-certification of the subscriber.  Contribution will be determined based on that.

Q.65      What is the due date for member’s monthly contribution?

Ans.      The date of enrolment every month.

Q.66      How will the subscriber know the status of monthly contribution?

Ans.      An SMS will be sent on the registered mobile number, after deduction of monthly contribution.

Q.67      Whether the subscriber has to submit his photograph at the time of registration?

Ans.      No need of any photograph.

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