NEW DELHI, May 3: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for submitting applications for availing higher pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) till June 26. The earlier deadline was May 31.
The decision to extend the deadline was taken in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the requests received from pensioners and other stakeholders.
Under the EPS-95, an option was provided to members to increase their pensionable service from 16 years to 20 years. Members who have not opted for this scheme earlier can do so now and increase their pensionable service to 20 years.
To avail of this scheme, eligible members have to fill out a form and submit it to the concerned Regional Provident Fund Office (RPFO). The scheme is applicable to pensioners who have already started receiving their pension, and also to those who are yet to start receiving their pension.
EPFO is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, which administers the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is one of the largest social security organizations in the world in terms of the number of beneficiaries and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
