The year 2025 turned out to be an important one for senior citizens in India. From simpler pension access to better healthcare and tax relief, several reforms were rolled out to improve convenience and financial security for the elderly. As the year comes to a close, here is a clear and simple recap of the key developments every senior citizen should know.
From 1 January 2025, EPFO’s new Centralised Pension Payment System allowed EPS-95 pensioners to collect their pension from any bank branch across India. This removed the need to transfer Pension Payment Orders and made relocation far smoother.
Throughout 2025, seniors benefited from easier submission of life certificates. Digital options and doorstep services from postmen, banks, and post offices reduced the need to visit branches, especially helping those with mobility issues.
On 2 May 2025, the Senior Citizens Welfare Portal (SCWP) went live. The portal brought government schemes, health benefits, and welfare services onto one user-friendly platform, giving seniors easier access to important information.
The rollout of the Ayushman Vay Vandana card in 2025 gave citizens aged 70+ access to up to ₹5 lakh a year in free inpatient treatment under Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY. This helped many families reduce the burden of hospital expenses.
A directive issued on 25 November 2025 required all banks to send monthly pension slips to Central Civil Pensioners and Family Pensioners. These were delivered through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and other channels in a clear and readable format.
Indian Railways introduced new rules that automatically allotted lower berths to senior citizens when available. Dedicated lower-berth quotas in AC and Sleeper coaches further improved comfort during travel.
Budget 2025 raised the TDS-free limit on interest income for seniors from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000. This gave retirees more take-home income from deposits and savings.
The annual TDS limit on rental income increased sharply from ₹2,40,000 to ₹6,00,000, offering financial relief to seniors depending on rent for steady income.
Withdrawals from the National Savings Scheme made on or after 29 August 2024 became fully tax-free in 2025, giving seniors more flexibility in using their long-term savings.
In July 2025, Bihar raised its monthly pension for senior citizens from ₹400 to ₹1,100, providing an additional ₹700 a month to eligible beneficiaries.
Read more: SIP Calculator: How a ₹2,000 SIP Grew to ₹5 Crore in Nippon India’s Mid-Cap Fund.
The year 2025 brought a wide range of reforms aimed at improving the lives of senior citizens. With better access to pensions, stronger healthcare support, improved travel comfort, and greater tax benefits, these changes offered seniors more independence and financial stability. The year stands out as one that meaningfully strengthened support for India’s elderly population.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Dec 14, 2025, 9:30 AM IST
We're Live on WhatsApp! Join our channel for market insights & updates
Get the link to download the App
