Brief on Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) – A pension scheme for unorganised workers

The Government had launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) a mega pension scheme for the unorganised sector in the interim Budget 2019. The scheme would ensure old age protection for the workers in this sector. 

The category of unorganised workers who are mostly engaged as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, home-based workers, own account workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio- visual workers or in similar other occupations. There are estimated 42 crore such unorganised workers in the country.

Benefits of PM-SYM:  

The following benefits lies under the scheme which can be availed by the contributors; 

(i)    Minimum Assured Pension:  After attaining the age of 60 years, each subscriber under the PM-SYM, shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month. 

(ii)   Family Pension:  The criteria for the same falls under the condition if subscriber dies, the spouse will receive the pension which will be 50% of the pension amount.  No other person is applicable for the same.

(iii)   Benefits: If a beneficiary has given regular contribution and died due to any cause (before age of 60 years), his/her spouse will be entitled to join and continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme as per provisions of exit and withdrawal. 

Contribution by the Subscriber:

The contribution of subscriber to PM-SYM shall be made through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account. The amount for the same is given by the subscriber from the date of joining till the age of 60 years. The Central Government will also give equal matching contribution in his pension account.  The chart showing details of regarding the age and duration as well amount as per age is given in the chart below:

Contribution in partnership with Central Government:

As per the above chart PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government as per the chart. For example, if a person enters the scheme at an age of 29 years, he is required to contribute Rs 100/ – per month till the age of 60 years an equal amount of Rs 100/- will be contributed by the Central Government.

Enrolment Procedure under PM-SYM:  

The subscriber will be required to have a mobile phone, savings bank account and Aadhaar number. The eligible subscriber may visit the nearest Common Services Centres (CSC eGovernance Services India Limited (CSC SPV))  and get enrolled for PM-SYM using Aadhaar number and savings bank account/ Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis. An application regarding the same will be launched soon where user can register themselves using their Aadhaar number as well as saving bank account numbers or Jan Dhan account number on self certification basis. 

Enrollment agencies:

Enrollment can be done at Common Services Centres build up for the purpose. The unorganised workers may visit their nearest CSC along with their Aadhar Card and Savings Bank account passbook/Jandhan account and get registered themselves for the Scheme. Contribution amount for the first month shall be paid in cash for which they will be provided with a receipt.

Facilitation Centres:

All the branch offices of LIC, the offices of ESIC/EPFO and all Labour offices of Central and State Governments will facilitate the unorganised workers about the Scheme, its benefits and the procedure to be followed, at their respective centers. 

In this respect, the arrangements to be made by all offices of LIC, ESIC, EPFO all Labour offices of Central and State Governments are given below, for ease of reference:

1.  All LIC, EPFO/ ESIC and all Labour offices of Central and State Governments may set up a “Facilitation Desk” to facilitate the unorganised workers, guide about the features of the Scheme and direct them to nearest CSC. 

2.  Each desk may consist of at least one staff. 

3.  They will have backdrop, standi at the main gate and sufficient number of brochures printed in Hindi and regional languages to be provided to the unorganised workers.  

4.  Unorganised workers will visit these centres with Aadhaar Card, Savings bank account/Jandhan account and mobile phone. 

5.  Help desk will have onsite suitable sitting and other necessary facilities for these workers.

6.  Any other measures intended to facilitate the unorganized workers about the Scheme, in their respective centers.

Also Read : Atal Pension Yojana – APY Scheme Eligibility & Benefits

Fund Management:

LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out. The amount collected under PM-SYM pension scheme shall be invested as per the investment pattern specified by Government of India.PM-SYM will be a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India and CSC eGovernance Services India Limited (CSC SPV). LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out. The amount collected under PM-SYM pension scheme shall be invested as per the investment pattern specified by Government of India.

Exit and Withdrawal:

Considering the hardships and erratic nature of employability of these workers, the exit provisions of scheme have been kept flexible. Exit provisions are as under:

(i)  In case subscriber exits the scheme within a period of less than 10 years, the beneficiary’s share of contribution only will be returned to him with savings bank interest rate. 

(ii)  If subscriber exits after a period of 10 years or more but before superannuation age i.e. 60 years of age, the beneficiary’s share of contribution along with accumulated interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher. 

(iii)  If a beneficiary has given regular contributions and died due to any cause, his/ her spouse will be entitled to continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit by receiving the beneficiary’s contribution along with accumulated interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher.  

(iv)  If a beneficiary has given regular contributions and become permanently disabled due to any cause before the superannuation age, i.e. 60 years, and unable to continue to contribute under the scheme, his/ her spouse will be entitled to continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme by receiving the beneficiary’s contribution with interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher. 

(v)  After the death of subscriber as well as his/her spouse, the entire corpus will be credited back to the fund. 

(vi)  Any other exit provision, as may be decided by the Government on advice of NSSB. 

Default of Contributions: 

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

Pension Pay out: 

Once the beneficiary joins the scheme at the entry age of 18-40 years, the beneficiary has to contribute till 60 years of age. On attaining the age of 60 years, the subscriber will get the assured monthly pension of Rs.3000/- with benefit of family pension, as the case may be.

Grievance Redressal:

In case of any doubt on the scheme, clarification provided by the JS & DGLW will be final. :

CSC Locator:

For finding the nearest CSC, please visit locator.csccloud.in