In major big news for members of EPF, EPFO Trustees today decided to allow EPF Commutation of Pension. However, is it worth to opt?
But before jumping into the news, please refer my earlier post to understand more about EPS.
For many employees, this may be a big relief. But do you feel it is necessary?
Let me explain to you the few features of EPS
- Employees who are members of EPF will automatically become members of EPS.
- Along with your employer contribution of 8.33% of your salary, Central Govt. also contributes 1.16% of employees’ monthly salary. Here the meaning of salary means Basic+DA. The rulebook still sticks to the old salary limit of Rs.6, 500 limits for an employer and central government contribution. However, in my view after the new rules, the limit should be raised to Rs.15, 000.
- You will not get any interest on your EPS contribution.Â
- For calculation purposes, if your service is more than or equal to 6 months, then it will be rounded to next year. If it is less than 6 months, then such fraction of service period is not considered for calculation. For example, suppose you worked for 21 yrs and 7 months. In this case, your service is considered as 22 years. However, if your service is 21 yrs and 2 months, then service will be considered as 21 yrs only.
- Pensioner receives a pension for life long and upon his death will go to spouse and two children below 25 years of age
- Employees are eligible for EPS only if they complete 10 Yrs of service or attain the age of 58 or 50 Yrs of age.
- You will not be eligible to receive more than one pension from EPS.
EPF Commutation of Pension – You can commute 1/3 of Pension
Now, what is the meaning of EPF Commutation? Let us go deep into it and understand the real meaning of commutation. Let me briefly explain this.
Assume that you worked for more than 10 years or you attained the age of 58 years. Then as per the rule, you are eligible for EPF Pension.
After the calculation, assume the pension is fixed as Rs.10,000 per month. Now as of now, you are not allowed for commutation. Hence, without any other options, you have to end up with a monthly pension of Rs.12,000.
However, due to the new changes. you are now eligible for withdrawal. How much is withdrawal?
Let us consider your monthly pension is Rs.12,000 (fixed after calculation), then the commutation is allowed on 1/3 such pension of 15 years.
Hence, 1/3 of your monthly pension is Rs.4,000 (Rs.12,000/3).
Now convert the same into years=Rs.4,000*12=Rs.48,000
Now 15 years of this is Rs.48,000*15=Rs.7,20,000 is allowed for commutation. Such commutation is tax-free for you.
Once you opt for commutation, then your monthly pension will be reduced to Rs.8,000 a month rather than the initial Rs.12,000 a month.
But what will be the pension if you survive after 15 years? Once this 15 years end, then the monthly pension will be restored to Rs.12,000 per month.
EPF Commutation of Pension – Is it beneficial?
In my view, YES and NO. The reason for YES are as below.
# Any pension you receive during your retirement is taxable income. However, such commutation is tax-free.
# If you use this commutation properly for reinvesting then you can generate additional income.
The reason for NO are as below.
# You end up with reduced pension after commutation for the next 15 years. This may hamper your retirement life.
# If the commutation amount is not utilized properly, then it may be a disaster during your retirement life.
Hence, rather than rejoicing on this feature, take a cautious call.
I AM ELIGIBLE FOR EPF SUPERANNUATION PENSION.
CAN I CURRENTLY APPLY FOR EPF COMMUTATION OF ONE THIRD OF PENSION.
PLEASE ARRANGE TO SEND G.O. / CIRCULAR FOT THE SAME URGENTLY AS THERE IS VERY BIG CONFUSION.
PLEASE HELP AND CO OPERATE.
MY MOBILE NUMBERS: 7007570596, 9554153566 @ 9838078466
E- mail Address: [email protected]
Dear Anil,
The complete details are available in the above post.
Hi, Can you please clarify this commutation option is available for existing EPF members ? Which EPFO order says that it is also applicable for existing EPF members? Thank you in advance for your clarifications.
Dear Aravind,
There is no clarity in this regard. However, as per me, it is applicable to all.
Dear
I feel non commuting the pension is better financial option.
Let us think of opportunity cost for forgoing Commutation sum and get full pension.
In this case I need to forgo the return on this sum (say 7.5%) and but consider differential/additional pension one gets. (Lump Sum Plus Return Minus Additional Pension) per month).
If one factors in above two aspects the forgone commutation sum would last for less than 15 years. (say 9 years). That means one would get full pension before 15 years. Isn’t it? (Plus full pension from day one till 9 years on account of non commutation.
Dear Mahesh,
What if one need of money?
Sir I am 51 now can I apply for 1/3 computation
Dear Raghul,
You are eligible to commute at the age of 58 years or once you retire.
Sir,
My quarry is ,if I am eligible to commute eps pension, my retirement is 2022 ,25 th April,I am getting pension 3525/ pm ,
If it is possible , how much convert to commutation & what amount should I
get.
Sujit.
Dear Sujit,
After commutation, it will be lesser than the actual pension. I can’t say exactly.
Please let me know if the epfo commutation was allowed in August 2018 ?
Dear Sangeeta,
It is not clear about the effective date. Hence, better you be in touch with regional EPFO.
Dear Sir,
My Question is this that If any employee opted this option and after 3 years he has expired, in this case how much pension amount will be paybale to his wife or his dependents. What will be the calculation of Pension payable to his wife.
Dear Rahul,
It is as per the survival rule applicable in case of EPS.
Dear sir,
i am 61 year old and getting pension under eps95 scheame, since october 2016, can I commute my pension as per new amendment in eps1995,
Dear Surendra,
They sadly not notified the effective date or to whom it applies. Please check with regional EPFO for the same.
Dear Sir,
Very beneficial information you shared,
Can you please share any circular or gazette for “Commutation of Pension” from EPFO.
Dear Himanshu,
Refer below comments. I have already shared it.
Dear Basu, is it applicable only at the age of 58 or any age below 58 as long as other conditions are met?
Dear Anand,
It is applicable for those who are below 58 years if other conditions are met.
Basu Sir,
“Assume that you worked for more than 10 years or you attained the age of 58 years.” – Is this correct ? Or should that be “10 Year AND Attained 58” ? Reason why I ask is, if what you mentioned is correct, I am 34 and still working, i.e. currently still working for more than 13 years and still contributing to EPF/EPS motnhly. So, Am I eligible now? Or is there any other catch.
I know this is pension post retirement, but just wanted to know if this is possible for me, so that I can utilize that for Investment.
Dear Balaji,
OR is correct. It does not apply to you if you are WORKING. You must be unemployed for Commutation.
Basu, I turned 58 in May 2019. Hence my pension begins from June 2019. I have still not done the paper work since I wished to go for commutation.
1) Please provide link to any circular/order allowing such commutation for newly retired persons.
2) Kindly also advise source which states that the commuted amount is tax-free. Is full commuted amount tax-free or are there any conditions. I work in the private sector.
Thanks in advance.
Dear Kapil Sir,
You can refer THIS.
My question is how can assuming pension Rs 10000/-per month. In eps 95 pension scheme max is Rs3250/- and maximum pensioner’s pension is below Rs1500/.in this sma amount pension, how calaculated? Is it commuted pension?
In PSU s and giant private sector’s pension is miserable and pity.
Is it can call as pension? .
Regarding eps 95 pension news confusing the public
Dear Haribabu,
Refer above example once again.
Sir,
Is it applicable for who retired before 2009 or even applicable to current retired officials??Kindly confirm sir
Dear Ram,
It is for those who are about to retire.
Dear Sir
I have opted for commutation in 2005. Deduction was 2230 per
month. I competed 15 years . I have got added 503 rs in pension now. P,lease an you guide en they will add full 2230. If it is mistake where can I approach.
Amount got at that time was approx 3.7lac.
Dear Ashok,
It is hard for me to calculate and let you know with limited information. Better you approach the regional EPFO.
In one of your EPF related post you have mentioned below statement.
In case, you are contributing to a Recognized PF maintained by a Private Trust of your Company
any interest exceeding 9.5% shall be added to your (employee’s) Salary Income and is subject to income tax.
I have below queries related to this.Requesting for your reponse.Thanks in advance.
1.In above statement are they referring to total interest accumulated upto the withdrawl of EPF amount for tax liability calculation ?
or
Are they referring to each financial year’s interest for tax liability calculation for that finacial year ?
2. For this tax liability calculation which amount is considered as principal ?Can you please give any example
with some dummy data to calculate this tax ?
Dear Arun,
The interest is applicable to that particular year ONLY. The already accumulate amount at the beginning of the FY should be considered as principal.
Though stzting resred coomutation what is effective dates for implementing this whether retrospective or prosoective Is the recently retired employee who is receiving pension on fixation eligible to opt commutation
Dear Nageswara,
It is prospective.
Dear Basu
Is this applicable to all Central /State Governments and Private Organizations? Please clarify?
Thanks.
Dear Bhuwalka,
Yes.
Dear Sir, Good info on commutation of pension.
Your view on whether it is beneficial is vague.
Request to analyse and please tell something with facts and figures.
For example what is the current rate of return viz if you do not commute Rs 720000 you get 4000 per month hence you get return of say 6.67%. Therefore if someone wants to take risk and he is able to get more return, then he may commute.
Also if there is urgent/emergency need of money then also this option may be considered.
Regards
Dear Harsih,
I explained the same in my concluding part of the article. Please read it.
Thanks Sir for the information.