EPFO Pension Scheme: Govt confirms higher pension to 22,000 members. Here’s how to check yours

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued 21,885 Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) and asked 1.65 lakh eligible members to deposit an additional amount for higher pension, the government has informed Parliament.

Status of Applications for Higher Pension

A total of 17,48,768 applications were submitted by members and pensioners under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995 for higher pension eligibility. Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, stated that as of January 28, 2025, demand notices for depositing balance amounts have been issued in 1,65,621 cases.

Monitoring and Processing of Applications

Karandlaje assured that pending applications are being closely monitored. She stated, “Clarifications to Field Offices to dispose cases have been issued to expedite the process.” The pension on higher wages is being processed based on the Supreme Court’s decision on November 4, 2022.

Online Application System and Deadlines

EPFO had developed an online functionality for filing applications for validation and joint options. The facility was made available to members, pensioners, and employers on February 26, 2023, and was initially extended until July 11, 2023.

The deadline for employers to forward joint applications for higher pensions was extended multiple times—first to September 30, 2023, then to May 31, 2024. A final extension was provided, setting the last date as January 31, 2025.

How to Track EPFO Higher Pension Application Status

Members can check the status of their EPFO higher pension application online through the unified member portal by following these steps:

1. Visit the EPFO unified member portal.
2. Click on ‘Track application status for pension on higher wages’.
3. On the next page, select ‘Click here’ under the same tab.
4. Choose and enter either your application acknowledgement number, UAN number, or PPO number.
5. Fill in the captcha code, tick the consent box, and click on ‘Get OTP’.
6. Enter the received OTP and click ‘Get status’. The application status will then be displayed on the screen.

(Inputs from PTI)