Over the past decade, Maharashtra’s expenditure on pensions and retirement benefits has surged by 303 per cent—from Rs 18,643 crore in 2015-16 to Rs  75,137 crore (budget estimate) in 2025-26. Between 2018 and 2026, the state’s spending on social security and other benefits for retired employees has increased by Rs 56,494 crore.

In just one year—between 2024-25 and 2025-26—this cost is expected to rise by 25.24 per cent. According to the 2025-26 state budget presented on March 10, the finance department has projected an expenditure of Rs 75,137 crore for pensions and retirement benefits, an increase of Rs 15,099 crore from Rs 60,038 crore (revised estimate) in 2024-25.