Old Age Allowance

In the financial year 1997-98, the 'Boyskbhata' program was introduced to provide social security to the elderly poor and low earning or unable to earn elderly population of the country and to increase their status in the family and society. Initially, 10 poor elderly people including 5 men and 5 women in each ward of all Union Parishads of the country were brought under the allowance of 100 taka per month. Later, all municipalities and city corporations of the country were included in the program.

As a pledge to implement the election manifesto of the current government, with the aim of doubling the number of old-age pensioners by 2021, in the fiscal year 2009-10, the number of old-age pensioners was increased from 20 lakh to 22,50,000 and the monthly allowance rate was increased from Tk 250 to Tk 300 per person. . 57 lakh 01 thousand in the financial year 2021-22 

Allowance will be paid at the rate of Tk 500 per month. In the current financial year 2021-22, the allocation for this sector is 3444.54 crores. Due to the close supervision of the highest level of the government and the tireless efforts of the officers and employees at all levels of the Department of Social Services, almost 100% success has been achieved in the distribution of old age allowance in the last 4 years.

At present, the steps taken to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the old age pension program and to make it universally acceptable are; Modernization by revising the implementation policy made in 2013, reducing the age of women from 65 years to 62 years in order to include more women under the allowance program, local honorable parliament in the selection of beneficiaries.Involving other public representatives, taking the initiative to prepare a database and through mobile banking service cash, all the beneficiaries are opening accounts in their own names and paying the allowances.

Implementing Office:

Department of Social Services

Year of commencement of operations

1997-98 fiscal year

Aims and objectives

(1) Socio-economic development and provision of social security for the elderly population;

(2) increase their status in family and society;

(3) strengthening their morale through financial grants;

(4) Assist in increasing medical and nutritional supplies.

Candidate Selection Criteria:

(a) Citizenship: Candidate must be a permanent citizen of Bangladesh.

(b) Age: Preference shall be given to the oldest person.

(c) Health condition: Top priority should be given to those who are physically disabled i.e. totally incapacitated.

(d) Socio-economic status:

(1) In respect of financial condition: Priority shall be given to the destitute, refugees and landless in order. (2) In terms of social status: widows, divorcees, destitute, childless, separated from family should be given priority in order. (e) Land Ownership: Priority should be given to landless persons. In this case, if the amount of land of a person is less than 0.5 acre, excluding dwelling house, he will be considered as landless.

Eligibility and conditions for receipt of allowance

(1) Be a permanent resident of the area concerned;

(ii) have birth registration/national identification number;

(3) Age should be minimum 65 years for males and minimum 62 years for females.

shall take into account the age prescribed by the Government from time to time;

(4) The annual average income of the candidate should be less than 10,000 (ten thousand) taka;

(5) To be selected by the Selection Committee.

Note: National identity card, birth registration certificate, SSC/equivalent examination certificate should be considered for age determination. In case of any dispute, the decision of the concerned committee will be considered final.

Ineligibility to receive allowance

(1) If the Government servant is a pensioner;

(2) In case of VGD card holder as a distressed woman;

(iii) in receipt of regular Government grants/allowances in any other way;

(4) In receipt of regular financial grant/allowance from any private organization/social welfare institution.