1.2 lakh pensioners opt for higher pension amount: Find out if you are eligible, and how to apply

More than 1.20 lakh individuals have applied online to opt for higher pension under Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) till March 9, 2023, Parliament was informed on Thursday. In November last year, the Supreme Court had asked the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to give four months time to subscribers as well as pensioners to contribute on their actual salaries towards EPS-95. 

Check below if you are eligible to apply for the same and how you can proceed with your application.  

Employees Pension Scheme: Eligibility criteria to receive a higher pension amount 

Employees need to fulfill the following criteria for a higher pension in EPFO: 

Employees must have retired before 01/09/2014  

The person should have made a contribution above the maximum limit of Rs 5,000 or Rs 6500 per month. 

Employees must have submitted a joint declaration with their employer to opt for higher pension contributions and their request would have been rejected by the EPF authorities. 

To be eligible for a higher pension, one needs to be a member of the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) for at least 10 years and should reach the age of 50 or 58 years 
 

Employees Pension Scheme: Follow these steps to apply for a higher pension  

The employees need to fill the joint option/higher pension claim application, as specified by the concerned Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC). Pensioners can fill the application online by visiting the official website, and following these steps—

Visit the  official website of EPFO Unified Member portal- https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/ 

Click on the ‘Application form for joint option’ 

If you have retired before 2014, click ‘Validation of joint options who retired before 01.09.2014 and exercised joint option’. 

If you have retired after 2014, then click ‘Exercise of joint option for employees who were in service prior to 01.09.2014 and continued to be in service 01.09.2014 but could not exercise the joint option’. 

Fill in the details and click the submit button  

Income Tax Return 2023: Check ITR Filling Last Date, How to e-File Income Tax Returns Online - all you need to know detail process