Q624. Requirement of life

certificate in India - Indian pension

income

Question: Dear Mr. Chand, I have been reading your few post on web and I thought this is something you might be able to answer. If not its still alright. My mom passed away in Jan 2012, she was a school teacher in India for 30years, she had just took retirement in November 2011. My father has just started receiving my moms provident fund. Does he has to send anybody a proof of life certificate for himself, in order to keep receiving his monthly payment? We have my uncle helping my dad with his finances in India; And my uncle doesnt have time to go in the bank to check his account and see if anything is needed to be done. And my dad is scared to call Indian bank from here (USA), thinking that he will stop receving provident fund since he is not in India. Is it okay for him to call his Indian Bank and ask about his account and balance? or not? Will him staying in USA as a greencard holder affect in anyway to my mom's provident fund payment to my dad? Thank you in advance and appreciate your reply. Answer: The institution that pays the monthly retirement benefit to your father must have rules that specify the requirement of a life certificate and how often it is required. Banks in India normally require a life certificate in the month of November each year, from those who receive government pensions. There must be thousands of Indians abroad who get Indian pensions and send life certificates from abroad. All Indian consulates issue life certificates. Generally, applicant's seeking Life Certificate, have to appear in person at the consulate with supporting ID documents such as their passport. There is currently no fee charged by Indian consulates for issuing life certificate. I fail to understand why your your father's country of residence would effect payment. If your father is entitled to the money, he should get paid regardless of where he chooses to reside. As your father is a green card holder, he is NOT allowed to maintain resident Indian bank accounts in India. He should notify his bank of his non-resident status and get his Indian resident bank accounts designated as non- resident accounts. Payments received in India, such as provident fund should be deposited in his NRO bank account. From NRO accounts, government of India even allows such income to be transfered abroad. I doubt if simply calling the bank from USA would be enough to get information on account balances etc. unless your father is personally known at the bank. Most banks will not give out account information on telephone and require written authorization from the account holder. Checking bank accounts on-line is probably the best way to keep track of your bank account. Your father can sign up for on-line banking.