Published on Jun 12, 2019
Government of India has introduced a pension scheme for unorganised workers namely Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) to ensure old age protection for Unorganised Workers.
The unorganised workers mostly engaged as home based workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, rickshaw pullers, landless labourers, own account workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio- visual workers and similar other occupations whose monthly income is Rs 15,000/ per month or less and belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years. They should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Further, he/she should not be an income tax payer.
It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, under which the subscriber would receive the following benefits :
(i) Minimum Assured Pension: Each subscriber under the PM-SYM, shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
(ii) Family Pension: During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension received by the beneficiary as family pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse.
(iii) 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.
The subscriber’s contributions to PM-SYM shall be made through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account. The subscriber is required to contribute the prescribed contribution amount from the age of joining PM-SYM till the age of 60 years. The chart showing details of entry age specific monthly contribution is as under:
| Entry Age | Superannuation Age | Member's monthly contribution (Rs) | Central Govt's monthly contribution (Rs) | Total monthly contribution (Rs) |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5)= (3)+(4) |
18 |
60 |
55 |
55 |
110 |
19 |
60 |
58 |
58 |
116 |
20 |
60 |
61 |
61 |
122 |
21 |
60 |
64 |
64 |
128 |
22 |
60 |
68 |
68 |
136 |
23 |
60 |
72 |
72 |
144 |
24 |
60 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
25 |
60 |
80 |
80 |
160 |
26 |
60 |
85 |
85 |
170 |
27 |
60 |
90 |
90 |
180 |
28 |
60 |
95 |
95 |
190 |
29 |
60 |
100 |
100 |
200 |
30 |
60 |
105 |
105 |
210 |
31 |
60 |
110 |
110 |
220 |
32 |
60 |
120 |
120 |
240 |
33 |
60 |
130 |
130 |
260 |
34 |
60 |
140 |
140 |
280 |
35 |
60 |
150 |
150 |
300 |
36 |
60 |
160 |
160 |
320 |
37 |
60 |
170 |
170 |
340 |
38 |
60 |
180 |
180 |
360 |
39 |
60 |
190 |
190 |
380 |
40 |
60 |
200 |
200 |
400 |
Matching contribution by the Central Government: PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 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.
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.
Later, facility will be provided where the subscriber can also visit the PM-SYM web portal or can download the mobile app and self-register using Aadhar number/ savings bank account/ Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis.
The enrolment will be carried out by all the Common Services Centres. 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.
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.
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 unorganised workers about the Scheme, in their respective centers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To address any grievances related to the scheme, subscriber can contact at customer care number 1800 267 6888 which will be available on 24*7 basis(to be effective from 15 Febraury 2019). Web portal/ app will also have the facility for registering the complaints.
In case of any doubt on the scheme, clarification provided by the JS & DGLW will be final.
• Should be an unorganised worker (UW)
• Entry age between 18 and 40 years
• Monthly Income Rs 15000 or below
Should not be
• engaged in Organized Sector (membership of EPF/NPS/ESIC)
• an income tax payer
He/ She should possess
• Aadhar card
• Savings Bank Account / Jan Dhan account number with IFSC
Sr. No. |
Occupations |
1 |
Agarbatti making |
2 |
Agriculture |
3 |
Agriculture machinery handling |
4 |
Anganwadi Workers |
5 |
Animal Husbandry |
6 |
Arrack and Liquor production and vending |
7 |
Asha Workers |
8 |
Audio and visual workers |
9 |
Automobile work |
10 |
Bakery work |
11 |
Band playing |
12 |
Bangle manufacturing |
13 |
Beads making/ piercing |
14 |
Beautician |
15 |
Beedi manufacture |
16 |
Bicycle repair |
17 |
Bindi work |
18 |
Blacksmithy |
19 |
Boat/Ferry occupation |
20 |
Book binding |
21 |
Brick Kiln work |
22 |
Brush making |
23 |
Breweries Distilleries |
24 |
Building and Road maintenance |
25 |
Bulb manufacture |
26 |
Bullock/Camel-cart operation |
27 |
Butchery |
28 |
Cable TV operation |
29 |
Cane/Reed work |
30 |
Carpentary |
31 |
Carpet weaving |
32 |
Cashew processing |
33 |
Catering |
34 |
Chikan work |
35 |
Cine Service |
36 |
Cloth printing |
37 |
Clubs and canteen service |
38 |
Coaching service |
39 |
Coir processing/manufacture |
40 |
Confectionery |
41 |
Construction work |
42 |
Construction of tents and pedals supply of utensils and decoration for function |
43 |
Courier service |
44 |
Dairying and allied activities |
45 |
Data entry operation |
46 |
Distribution of petroleum products |
47 |
Domestic work |
48 |
Dyeing |
49 |
Electronic electrical goods repairs |
50 |
Electroplating |
51 |
Embroidery work |
52 |
Envelop making |
53 |
Fire work cracker production |
54 |
Fishery production |
55 |
Fish processing |
56 |
Flora work and garland making |
57 |
Flour mills operations |
58 |
Footwear production |
59 |
Foresty operation |
60 |
Foundry |
61 |
Gardening and parks maintenance |
62 |
Garment manufacture |
63 |
Gem cutting |
64 |
Ginning |
65 |
Glassware manufacturing |
66 |
Goldsmithy |
67 |
Hair dressing |
68 |
Handloom weaving |
69 |
Hawking and vending |
70 |
Headload work |
71 |
Health service |
72 |
Honey gathering |
73 |
Horticulture and Floriculture |
74 |
Hotel and Restaurant service |
75 |
Lock making |
76 |
Manual operation on unspecified jobs |
77 |
Masala making |
78 |
Matches manufacture |
79 |
Mid-Day Meal Worker |
80 |
Minor forest produce gathering |
81 |
Minor mineral and mines work |
82 |
Newspaper vending |
83 |
NGO service |
84 |
Oil extraction |
85 |
Packing and Packaging |
86 |
Panwalla service |
87 |
Pappad making |
88 |
Petrol bunk/pump and allied service |
89 |
Pickle making |
90 |
Plantation (Other than those covered under Plantation Labour Act, 1951 (Act No. 69 of 1951) |
91 |
Plastic manufacture |
92 |
Pottery |
93 |
Powerloom weaving |
94 |
Printing press work |
95 |
Quary work |
96 |
Rag picking |
97 |
Rice milling |
98 |
Rickshaw pulling |
99 |
Salt pan work |
100 |
Sand mining |
101 |
Sawmill work |
102 |
Scavenging |
103 |
Security service |
104 |
Sericulture (Silk rearing) |
105 |
Service station work |
106 |
Shepherding |
107 |
Shoe shining work |
108 |
Shop and establishment service |
109 |
Small scale industries |
110 |
Soap manufacture |
111 |
Sports good manufacture |
112 |
Steel vessels and utensils manufacture |
113 |
Stone crushing |
114 |
Sweeping |
115 |
Tanning (including hides and skin production) leather goods manufacture |
116 |
Telephone booth service |
117 |
Temple leaves collection |
118 |
Tendu leaves collection |
119 |
Timber Industry (Furniture manufacturing etc) |
120 |
Tobacco processing |
121 |
Toddy tapping |
122 |
Toy making |
123 |
Transport service (driving conducting, cleaning etc.) |
124 |
Laundry Work |
125 |
Wayside Mechanics and workshop service |
126 |
Welding |
127 |
Any other similar Occupation |
1. Interested eligible person shall visit nearest CSC centre. Location of CSC centre can be ascertained from the information page on web sites of LIC of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and CSC.
2. While going to CSC for enrolment, he shall carry with him the following :
I. Aadhar Card
II. Savings/Jan Dhan Bank Account details along with IFS Code ( Bank Passbook or Cheque Leave/book or copy of bank statement as evidence of bank account )
III. Initial contribution amount in cash for enrolment under the scheme
3. Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) present at the CSC will key-in aadhar number, name of subscriber as printed on aadhar card and date of birth as given in aadhar card and the same will be verified with UIDAI database.
4. Further details like Bank Account details, Mobile Number, Email-id, if any, spouse and nominee details will be captured.
5. Self-certification for eligibility conditions will be done.
6. System will auto calculate monthly contribution payable according to age of the subscriber.
7. Subscriber shall also pay the amount of 1st subscription in cash to the VLE who will generate receipt to be handed over to the subscriber.
8. Enrolment Form cum Auto Debit mandate will also be printed which will then be signed by the subscriber. VLE then shall scan the signed enrolment cum auto debit mandate and upload into the system.
9. At the same time, a unique Shram Yogi Pension Account Number will be generated and Shram Yogi Card will be printed at CSC
10. With completion of process, subscriber will be having with him Shram Yogi Card and signed copy of enrolment form for his record.
11. He will also receive regularly SMS on activation of auto debit and Shram Yogi Pension Account details.
Government of India has introduced a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the unorganised workers under the name of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) to ensure old age protection for Unorganised Workers.
The scheme is eligible only for the unorganised workers mostly engaged as home based workers, street vendors, landless labourers, own account workers, agricultural workers or other similar occupations with monthly income up to Rs 15,000/- and belonging to age group 18-40 years. They should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Also, he/she should not be an income tax payer.
• Enrollment in PM-SYM scheme is a simple and easy process
• It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme
• Each subscriber will be entitled to receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years
• It is a scheme on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution will be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
