Synopsis
For qualified EPF members to apply for a higher pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation has activated the link on the Member e-Sewa portal. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to file an EPS application for a higher pension.
On December 29, 2022, and February 20, 2023, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) released circulars with instructions for eligible employees on how to submit requests for higher pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS).
“The EPFO had opened the online portal for employees who retired prior to September 1, 2014, and were eligible for higher pension under the EPS,” says Mallika Noorani, Senior Partner at Parinam Law Associates. Following the publication of a circular on December 29, 2022, the online portal was made available. The online portal has been made available for current EPFO members who are qualified to apply for the higher pension under the EPS following the issue of a circular on February 20, 2023.
The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) application date has been extended by EPFO from May 3 to June 26, 2023. On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the extension for the new deadline was announced. The EPFO has now extended the deadline for EPS applications for higher pensions a second time.
Step-by-step guide to submit application for higher pension under the EPS
Employees who qualify to choose the greater pension can do so by following the detailed instructions below. This manual is intended for both current personnel and retired employees.
The EPFO Member e-Sewa portal is where qualified pensioners and current employees can check their options, according to circulars dated December 29, 2022 and February 20, 2023.
If you retired after September 1, 2014 or are still working
Step 1: Go to https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/ to access the Member e-Sewa portal. “Pension on higher salary: Exercise of joint option on or before May 3, 2023” is an option. select it by clicking.
step two :-A new home page will appear . Choose “Application form for joint options – Joint options under erstwhile para 11 (3) and para 11 (4) of EPS 1995 for employees who were in service prior to September 1, 2014, and continued to be in service on or after September 1, 2014, but were unable to exercise joint option under erstwhile provision to para 11 (3) of EPS 1995 to be exercised on or before May 3, 2023.”
Be sure to have your Universal Account Number (UAN) on hand before beginning to submit your application for a higher pension. Additionally, you must make sure that the EPFO has the member’s name, Aadhaar number, and date of birth on file. The participant must have a current, UIDAI-recorded cellphone number that is connected to their Aadhaar.
Step 3:Enter the necessary information, including your UAN, name, birthdate, Aadhaar number, cellphone number that is linked to your Aadhaar, and captcha. Press “Get OTP” to begin. Your mobile number associated with your Aadhaar will receive a one-time password.
Step 4:After entering the OTP, you will need to verify your information. Your consent will be requested in the application form if there are any changes that need to be made from the provident fund to the pension fund or any re-deposits into the fund. You must submit an undertaking to this effect along with the interest accrued up until the date of payment if money needs to be moved from an exempted provident fund trust to a pension fund.
As appropriate, you must also provide the following paperwork with your application:
- Evidence of joint option in accordance with paragraph 26(6) of the EPF Scheme, as officially confirmed by the employer
- Evidence of a shared option pursuant to the proviso to Paragraph 11(3) of the EPS prior to 2014, duly verified by the employer
- Evidence of payments made into the provident fund for higher income than the standard salary ceiling of Rs. 5,000 or Rs. 6,500, as applicable
- Proof of payment into the pension fund for higher income than the standard salary ceiling of Rs. 5,000 or Rs. 6,500, as applicable
- The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner or another higher-ranking EPFO official has officially rejected any such requests or remittances in writing.
Step 5:Make sure that all the information on the form is accurate. To submit the application in its entirety, click “Submit”. A receipt number will be generated once the application form has been successfully submitted. For future use, keep this acknowledgement number close at hand.
If you retired prior to September 1, 2014
This choice is available to members whose pre-amended plan higher EPS contribution was chosen and paid for before September 1, 2014, but whose higher EPS pension was turned down by EPFO at the time of retirement.
Step 1 : Click here to access the Member e-Sewa portal: https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterfac
Step 2: There will be a new home page. “Application form for validation of joint options” should be chosen. Keep your Pension Payment Order (PPO) close at hand before beginning to submit your claim for a higher pension. Along with other information like the Aadhaar number, name, and birthdate as listed in the EPFO records, you must include your PPO number in full without any special characters. According to UIDAI records, you should have a mobile phone connected to your Aadhar number.
Step 3: Enter your PPO number, name, birthdate, Aadhaar number, cellphone number that is linked to your Aadhaar, and captcha. Press “Get OTP” to begin. Your mobile number associated with your Aadhaar will receive a one-time password.
The procedure will proceed as described in step 4 above once the OTP has been input.
How EPFO officials will review the application form
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC) will assess the application forms and supporting papers after you have submitted the application form. Each application will be digitally logged and registered. The applicant will be given a receipt number. The application will be transformed into an e-file by the RPFC.
The RPFC dealing assistant will review the supporting documentation and, if necessary, forward the case to the section supervisor or account officer.
Any differences shall be noted by the section supervisor/account officer and sent with the rule position to the APFC/RPFC-II, who will review it thoroughly before sending it on to the person in charge of the regional office.
Each case will be examined by the authorised officer or commissioner, who will then dispose of it in accordance with protocol. You will be informed of the details of disposal via email or postal mail.
Grievances can be filed by applicants via https://epfigms.gov.in/. These will be dealt with by a designated officer and will be overseen by the official in charge of the regional and zonal offices.