New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued 21,885 pension payment orders (PPOs) while directing 1.65 lakh eligible members to deposit the required additional amount for availing higher pension benefits, the government informed Parliament on Monday.
Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, stated that a total of 17,48,768 applications had been submitted by members and pensioners seeking higher pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995. These applications were made by individuals opting to contribute a higher amount to the scheme.
As of January 28, 2025, demand notices—intimating members to deposit balance amounts to qualify for the higher pension—had been issued in 1,65,621 cases, while 21,885 PPOs had been processed and issued. The minister assured the House that efforts are being made to expedite the resolution of pending cases, with ongoing monitoring and issuance of clarifications to field offices for faster disposal.
The processing of applications for pension on higher wages is being carried out in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling of November 4, 2022. To facilitate the application process, the EPFO developed an online functionalitythat enabled members, pensioners, and employers to submit validation/joint option applications.
This online application facility was launched on February 26, 2023, and was extended until July 11, 2023. The deadline for employers to forward joint applications was first extended to September 30, 2023, and later to May 31, 2024. In a final opportunity, employers were given time until January 31, 2025, to submit applications for pension on higher wages.
With a large volume of cases still under process, the EPFO is working towards faster disposal to ensure eligible pensioners receive their enhanced benefits at the earliest.
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