Thiruvananthapuram – In a major relief to lakhs of beneficiaries, the Kerala government has announced it will disburse two installments of the social security and welfare fund board pensions in May 2025. This includes the regular May pension and one pending installment from arrears, with each eligible recipient set to receive ₹3,200.
Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal confirmed that over 62 lakh beneficiaries will benefit from this move, with a total allocation exceeding ₹1,800 crore. The disbursement will begin in mid-May, with ₹1,600 credited as the monthly pension and another ₹1,600 as part of previously delayed payments.
Of the total beneficiaries, 26.62 lakh will have the funds directly transferred to their bank accounts, while others will receive their pensions via cooperative banks.
This announcement comes as part of the government’s continued efforts to clear five months of pension arrears from the 2023–24 financial year. Two of these pending payments were already settled, and the final two are slated for the current fiscal year.
Kerala’s social welfare pension scheme supports a wide spectrum of vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, widows, individuals with disabilities, unmarried women above 50, and agricultural laborers. Despite financial strain, the state provides ₹1,600 monthly to each beneficiary with minimal central assistance.
The government reiterated its commitment to timely disbursement and sustainable welfare funding, urging beneficiaries to check with their banks or cooperative societies for updates on payment timelines.
