EPFO extends deadline to submit requests for Higher Pension Scheme

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) announced in a press release dated March 13, 2023, that the deadline to submit requests for higher pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) has been extended to May 3. For workers who retired before September 1, 2014, exercised their choice to get the increased pension, but had their claims denied by the provident fund authorities, the deadline has been extended. Previously, such employees had until March 3, 2023.

The Press release stated, “Supreme Court had held that the employees who have retired before 1st September 2014 and had exercised option under paragraph 11(3) prior to their retirement shall be eligible for pension on higher wages. Instructions in this regard had been issued to field offices vide circular dated 29.12.2022 and 05.01.2023. Online facility for submitting applications for validation of joint options to the employees who retired before 01.09.2014 and had exercised joint options before their retirement had been provided on the EPFO Website till 03.03.2023.”

Now, on demand of the employees’ / employers’ associations the Chairman, Central Board of Trustees has extended the time for submitting applications for validation of joint options from such employees till 3rd May 2023.