West Bengal Fishermen Old Age Pension Scheme

Why it matters

Pays a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to elderly fishermen and fish farmers in West Bengal who no longer have an active income from fishing.

What you get

The West Bengal Fishermen Old Age Pension Scheme provides a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to eligible elderly fishermen and fish farmers across the state, giving this occupational group — which, like crop farmers, typically lacks formal retirement savings — a basic guaranteed income in old age. The scheme is administered by the Department of Fisheries and is generally linked to prior registration as a fisherman/fish farmer with the department, similar in structure to the agricultural old-age pension schemes available to crop farmers.

Eligibility criteria

• Elderly fisherman/fish farmer in West Bengal meeting the department's age criteria
• Registered with the Department of Fisheries' fishermen registration system

How to apply

1. 1

   Register as a fisherman with the Department of Fisheries if not already registered

2. 2

   Apply for the old age pension through the local Fisheries office

3. 3

   Verification of age and fishing-occupation history

4. 4

   Monthly pension credited to the bank account

Documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Age proof
• Fisherman registration proof
• Bank account details