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After the recent Supreme Court ruling, there was a huge confusion among many EPF subscribers regarding eligibility. To avoid all the confusion, recently EPFO released a circular where it is clearly mentioned the eligibility for EPS higher pension.
In this article, I am just concentrating on the eligibility for EPS higher pension rather than other things. Mainly because EPFO has to still clear many doubts and I hope that soon we will get the notification in this matter.
The notification is lengthy. However, to simplify your life, I am highlighting the important points.
Eligibility for EPS Higher Pension
Let us concentrate on the three major conditions of this notification. Let me share the notification here.
Now, let me simplify the above lines for your understanding. Do remember that all these three conditions should be fulfilled.
# As you may be aware that there are few employers who restrict their contribution only to 12% of your salary (Basic+DA) or 12% of your actual salary (Basic+DA). If your employer had contributed 12% of your actual salary, then only you are eligible for a higher pension.
# During the 1st Sept 2014 amendment to EPS, there was a provision to give a joint declaration for higher pension. Those who gave a joint declaration during that time or not, are all by default eligible for higher pension. (Para 11(3)).
# You must be a member of EPF before 1st Septmber 2014 and also after 1st September 2014. If you are retired from employment or withdrew your EPS before 1st September 2014, then you are not eligible for the same.
There is still a lot of clarification to be required like the form to be filled and also the amount to be transferred. We have to wait for EPFO clarity in this regard. As of now, you may get clarity about the eligibility for EPS higher pension.
Hi Sir,
First of all, I should thank you for writing articles which are of great use. Thanks for your efforts and time.
I have a doubt, I worked for 10yrs starting from Apr-2013 with 2 different organizations and now I am not working, last worked till Apr 2023. I haven’t withdrawn any of my PF contribution, it’s all intact. Am I eligible for pension at the age of 58 yrs, if I don’t withdraw my EPF till then? Please advise
Dear Kishore,
If you have a single EPF, then yes you are eligible for pension.
Dear sir
1. Is it good or bad to opt for higher pension scheme for an employee.
If it is good, what impact on take home salary and 3rd is last day, what to do, shall opt in hurry burry.
Please suggest
Daer Rajik,
Better to stay away.
In one of the companies i worked from 2002 to 2010, i withdrew both my EPF and EPS in 2010.. will i be able to opt for higher pension for that period ?
Please note that since higher pension option is going to be applied retrospectively, I feel I should be still eligible as I had still not withdrawn the differential amount of 8.33 % of higher wages that shud have actually gone to EPS but went to EPF at that time.
Can you please clarify on this.
Dear Rajesh,
As you withdrew the amount from both EPF and EPS, you are not eligible.
Thanks for the article. Can you please explain this line
“12% of your salary (Basic+DA) or 12% of your actual salary (Basic+DA)”
Dear Tabrez,
Let us assume your Basic+DA is Rs.1,00,000. Then companies have the option to choose 12% of Rs.15,000 (the minimum ceiling) or 12% of Rs.1,00,000 (actual salary).
Thanks for this information which has required clarity.
Dear Prasanna,
My pleasure 🙂
My wife passed away on 29th September 2015 while she was working and myself and my son is getting a pension based on Rs. 15,000/ salary. Her total salary at the time of demise was Rs. 40,000/ and she was working for 15 years. Is there any change in her family pension as per the new new changes.
Dear Joji,
No.
Sir, I joined EPS in June 2014, recently switched job. Can I opt out of EPS?
Dear Rajnesh,
Yes.