The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has instructed its field officers to carefully review joint applications (submitted by both employees and employers) for higher pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) within 20 days of receiving them. This directive was issued through a circular on Friday.
The circular’s fourth point emphasizes the need for prompt scrutiny of each Application for Validation of Joint Option/Joint Option. It also states that any additional proof, evidence, or correction of errors (including those made by employers or pensioners) should be communicated to the employer through a Demand Letter or Communication within 20 days of receiving the application in the Dealing Assistant’s login.
The deadline to apply for a higher pension based on actual salary under the EPS is June 26. The original deadline was May 3 but was extended by the retirement fund body.
Eligibility for a higher pension under the EPS includes individuals who were EPFO members and EPS subscribers before September 1, 2014, and are still employed but had previously missed choosing the higher pension option. They can now apply for a higher pension.
For those who retired before September 1, 2014, but had previously selected the higher pension option, the information provided needs to be validated. This validation process will be conducted by the employer, and subsequently, EPFO field officers will assess the information.
Additionally, joint applications are submitted by employees who opt for a pension based on their actual salary rather than the statutory amount of ₹15,000.
