EPFO Update: Nearly 99% of Higher Pension Applications Processed, Says Labour Ministry

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made significant progress in processing applications for higher pension contributions under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995.  

This development follows the Supreme Court's directives issued on November 4, 2022, and has been executed in a time-bound manner, as informed by the Labour Ministry. 

Progress in Processing Higher Pension Applications 

As of November 24, 2025, the EPFO has successfully disposed of nearly 99% of the applications seeking higher pension contributions, as per PTI.  

An online facility facilitated the submission of 17,49,000 applications by pensioners and members until July 11, 2023. Out of these, 15,24,000 applications were forwarded by employers to the EPFO by January 31, 2025. 

Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, informed the Lok Sabha that 4,27,308 demand letters were issued. However, 34,060 cases were later deemed ineligible, primarily due to non-remittance of the demand amount. 

Current Status of Applicants 

Approximately 2,33,303 applicants have deposited the required demand amount or consent. Among them, 96,274 are still in service, while 1,37,029 have retired. 

For the retired applicants, Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) have been issued to 1,24,457 individuals, with 12,572 PPOs pending finalisation. 

Read More: EPFO Cannot Block Payments Without Notice, Rules Bombay High Court! 

Equitable Pension Calculation 

The EPS 1995 is a 'Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit' Social Security Scheme. It ensures equitable treatment for both pensioners under wage ceiling and those with higher wages, as outlined in Para 12 of the scheme. The Supreme Court upheld this provision, confirming its validity. 

The pension fund corpus comprises employer contributions at 8.33% of wages and central government contributions at 1.16% of wages, up to ₹15,000 per month. Despite an actuarial deficit as of March 31, 2019, the government provides a minimum pension of ₹1,000 per month through budgetary support. 

Conclusion 

The EPFO's efficient processing of nearly 99% of higher pension applications underlines its commitment to implementing the Supreme Court's directives. The scheme's structure ensures equitable benefits for all pensioners, supported by government contributions. 

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