Employees' Pension Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Retirement often means losing a regular source of income. To provide financial support to employees after retirement, the Government of India introduced the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995, commonly known as EPS-95, on 16 November 1995. It provided monthly pensions to eligible employees covered under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) system. It also offered pension benefits to eligible family members, including widows, widowers, children and orphans.

EPS-95 was administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It was introduced under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

Under EPS-95, employees did not have to make a separate contribution to the pension fund. Instead, the employer contributed 8.33% of the employee's pensionable wages from its EPF contribution. The Central Government also contributed to the pension fund as per the applicable rules.

The scheme provided different pension benefits based on the member's age, service and family circumstances. These included:

• Monthly pension after completing the required service and reaching the age of 58.
• Early pension from the age of 50 for eligible members, with a reduced pension amount.
• Disability pension for members who became permanently and totally disabled.
• Family pension for eligible dependants if a member or pensioner died.
• Withdrawal benefit or a Scheme Certificate for members who left employment before completing 10 years of eligible service, subject to the rules.

Under the original EPS-95 rules, members generally needed at least 10 years of eligible service to receive a regular monthly pension. The minimum monthly pension for eligible members was ₹1,000, subject to the applicable conditions.

The pension amount under EPS-95 was calculated using the member's pensionable salary and pensionable service. The standard formula was:

Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70

Pensionable salary was generally based on the average salary of the last 60 months of service for members retiring or leaving on or after 1 September 2014. The actual pension amount depended on the member's salary and service record.

Employees who met the membership conditions were generally enrolled in EPS through their employer's EPF registration. They did not need to apply separately for membership. Under the original scheme, eligible members used Form 10D to claim a monthly pension and Form 10C for withdrawal benefits or a Scheme Certificate. EPFO also provided online services through the EPFO Unified Member Portal and the UMANG app.

Important Update: EPS-95 was superseded by the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 (EPS-2026) through a Gazette notification dated 29 June 2026. Therefore, the rules and benefits of EPS-95 should be treated as provisions of the earlier scheme. Members should check the current EPS-2026 rules before applying for pension or other benefits.

For pension-related help, members can contact their Regional EPFO Office or submit a complaint through the EPFiGMS grievance portal. They should keep their UAN, pension details and employment records ready when seeking assistance.

People looking for other retirement pension options can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) for eligible unorganised-sector workers, the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons for eligible traders and self-employed individuals, and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY). These schemes offer pension benefits subject to their respective eligibility conditions and contribution rules.

Scheme Benefits

The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) provides financial support to eligible employees after retirement and protects their families in case of the member's death or permanent disability. Its main benefits include:

• Eligible members receive a monthly pension after attaining 58 years of age, provided they have completed at least 10 years of eligible service.
• Members who leave employment before the age of 58 can apply for an early pension from the age of 50, subject to the required service conditions. The pension is reduced by 4% for each year before 58.
• Eligible members receive a minimum monthly pension of ₹1,000 under the scheme, subject to applicable conditions.
• If a member becomes permanently and totally disabled during employment, they may receive a monthly disability pension without completing 10 years of service.
• If a member dies during service or after retirement, their eligible spouse can receive a monthly widow or widower pension.
• Eligible children receive a monthly pension equal to 25% of the widow or widower pension. It is generally payable to up to two children at a time until they reach 25 years of age, subject to scheme conditions.
• If the member dies and there is no eligible surviving spouse, eligible children may receive an orphan pension equal to 75% of the widow or widower pension. It is generally payable to up to two orphans at a time until the age of 25.
• A permanently and totally disabled child or orphan may receive a pension for life, subject to the prescribed conditions.
• If a member dies without an eligible family but has made a valid nomination, the nominated person may receive a pension under the scheme.
• If the member has no eligible spouse, children or valid nominee, the dependent father or mother may receive a pension as provided under the scheme.
• Members who leave employment before completing 10 years of eligible service may claim a withdrawal benefit, subject to the applicable rules. Alternatively, they can obtain a Scheme Certificate to preserve their pensionable service for future employment.
• Eligible members can defer their pension after attaining 58 years of age, subject to scheme conditions. The pension may increase by 4% for each completed year of deferment, up to the permitted age limit.
• Pensioners can receive their monthly pension through the Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS), which allows them to withdraw pension from any bank branch across India.

How Is EPS Pension Calculated?

Under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 (EPS-2026), the monthly pension is calculated using the member's pensionable wages and pensionable service. The standard formula is:

Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Wages × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70

The calculation depends on the following two factors:

• Pensionable Wages: These are generally calculated using the average monthly wages drawn during the 60 months immediately before the member exits the scheme. The calculation is made separately for each wage-ceiling period, and the applicable wage ceiling is considered.
• Pensionable Service: This refers to the eligible contributory service counted under the scheme. The service is rounded to the nearest year. A period of six months or more is counted as one year, while a period of less than six months is ignored.

A member who retires on reaching the superannuation age after completing at least 20 years of pensionable service receives an additional weightage of two years for pension calculation.

EPS Pension Calculation Example

Suppose a member retires at the applicable superannuation age with 20 years of pensionable service. Assume that the pensionable wages, after applying the relevant wage ceilings, are ₹10,000 per month.

Since the member has completed 20 years of pensionable service, two additional years are added for calculation.

This is only an illustrative calculation. The actual pension depends on the member's wage history, applicable wage ceilings, contributory service and eligibility under the scheme. The two-year weightage applies when the member meets the specified retirement and service conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) membership is linked to membership in the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF). However, receiving a monthly pension depends on the employee's age, years of service and other scheme rules. The main eligibility conditions are:

• Employees covered under the EPF Scheme, 1952, may also become members of EPS, subject to the applicable rules.
• Employees who were members of the Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971, were also covered under EPS-95.
• Under the original EPS-95 rules, employees joining EPF for the first time after 1 September 2014 could become EPS members only if their monthly pay was within the prescribed wage limit of ₹15,000. The revised wage limit effective from 17 September 2026 should be considered for current eligibility.
• Members generally need at least 10 years of eligible service to receive a monthly pension.
• Members who complete 10 years of service can receive a regular pension from the age of 58.
• Members who leave their job after completing 10 years of service may receive an early pension from the age of 50. The pension amount is reduced.
• Members who become permanently and totally disabled while in service may receive a disability pension, even if they have not completed 10 years of service.
• Members who leave their job before completing 10 years of service may be eligible for a withdrawal benefit or a Scheme Certificate, as per the applicable rules.
• If a member dies, eligible family members may receive a pension, depending on the member's service and family circumstances.

Eligibility depends on the member's joining date, previous EPF membership and applicable rules. Members should check their service records and current EPFO guidelines before applying.

Required Documents

The documents required under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) depend on the type of pension or benefit you are applying for. Keep the following documents ready before submitting your claim:

• Aadhaar card of the member and eligible family members, wherever required.
• Universal Account Number (UAN) and EPF membership details.
• Bank passbook or cancelled cheque showing the applicant's name, account number and IFSC code.
• Proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate or school leaving certificate.
• Recent passport-size photographs of the member and spouse, if required.
• Employment details, including joining date, exit date and previous employment details, if any.
• Scheme Certificate, if already issued.
• Death certificate of the member for family pension claims.
• Proof of relationship and date of birth of children, wherever required.
• Disability certificate or medical documents for a disability pension claim.
• Nomination details, if the claim is being made by a nominee.

The required documents may vary depending on whether you are applying for a regular pension, early pension, disability pension, family pension or withdrawal benefit. EPFO may also ask for additional documents if needed. For more details, refer to the EPFO Pension Manual.

How to Claim Pension Benefits Under the Employees' Pension Scheme

Eligible employees and their family members can claim pension benefits under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) by submitting the relevant application to EPFO. Form 10D is used for monthly pension claims, while Form 10C is used for eligible withdrawal benefits and Scheme Certificates. Members can follow these steps to submit an online claim:

• First, open the EPFO Unified Member Portal.
• Log in using your UAN, password and the security code displayed on the screen.
• Before starting the claim, check that your Aadhaar, bank account and other KYC details are correctly updated in your EPFO account. Make sure your service history and date of exit are also recorded correctly.
• After logging in, open the "Online Services" menu and select the claim option, where available. The portal displays the claim services applicable to your membership and records.
• For a monthly pension claim, select Form 10D if the option is available. Members applying for an eligible withdrawal benefit or Scheme Certificate should select Form 10C.
• Check the personal, employment and bank details displayed on the screen. Enter or verify any additional information requested by the portal and upload the supporting documents, if required.
• Complete the Aadhaar-linked OTP verification, where prompted, and submit the application.
• After submission, save the acknowledgement or claim reference number. Use the available claim-status facility to check the progress of your application.

In the case of a deceased member, the eligible spouse, children, nominee or other entitled family claimant should submit the applicable pension claim with documents such as the death certificate and proof of relationship. The online facility for family or nominee pension claims may be available through the EPFO Member Portal, depending on the claimant's circumstances.

If you face difficulties with the application, incorrect service details or a delay in processing, you can raise a complaint through the EPFiGMS grievance portal or contact your Regional EPFO Office.

Relevant Links

• Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) – Official Website
• Ministry of Labour and Employment – Official Website
• EPFO Unified Member Portal
• EPFO Pension Manual
• EPFiGMS – Grievance Registration Portal
• EPFO Pension Payment Enquiry Portal
• EPFO Higher Pension Portal

Contact Information

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India

• Phone: 14470 (EPFO Helpdesk / Toll-Free Helpline)
• Email: No separate EPS-specific public email address could be verified. Members can submit pension-related complaints through the EPFiGMS Grievance Portal.
• Address: EPFO Head Office, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110066.

For pension claim issues or verification of service records, members can also contact their concerned Regional EPFO Office. The contact details of regional offices are available through the EPFO website.