How eligible employees can apply for higher pension under EPS on EPFO portal: A step-by-step guide Here is a step by step guide on how to submit application for higher pension under EPS on the EPFO portal
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) issued circulars on December 29, 2022, and February 20, 2023, providing instructions to eligible employees on submitting applications for higher pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS).Mallika Noorani, Senior Partner, Parinam Law Associates, says, "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. The online portal was opened after the issuance of a circular on December 29, 2022. For existing members of the EPFO who are eligible to apply for the higher pension under the EPS, the online portal has been opened after the issuance of a circular on February 20, 2023."
Step-by-step guide to submit application for higher pension under the EPS
Employees who are eligible to opt for the higher pension can follow the step-by-step guide below. This guide is for both the retired employees and existing employees.
According to the circular dated December 29, 2022 and February 20, 2023, eligible pensioners and existing employees can visit EPFO's Member e-Sewa portal for validating their options.
If you retired after September 1, 2014 or are still working
Step 1: Visit Member e-Sewa portal - https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/. There is an option for "Pension on higher salary: Exercise of joint option on or before May 3, 2023". Click on that option.
Step 2: A new homepage will open. Select "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 1st September 2014 and continued to the in service on or after 01.09.2014 but could not exercise joint option under erstwhile provision to para 11 (3) of EPS 1995 to be exercised on or before 3rd May 2023."
Before you start submitting your application for higher pension, keep your Universal Account Number (UAN) handy. Further, you should ensure that member's Aadhaar number, name and date of birth should be available in the EPFO's records. The member should have a valid Aadhaar linked mobile number which is as per UIDAI records.Step 3: Enter the required details i.e., UAN, Name, Date of birth, Aadhaar number, Aadhaar linked mobile number and captcha. Click on "Get OTP". A one-time password will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Step 4: Once the OTP is entered, you will be required to validate your details. In case any adjustments are to be made from provident fund to pension fund or any re-deposit to the fund, your consent will be sought in the application form. In case funds need to be transferred from exempted provident fund trust to pension fund, you have to submit an undertaking to this effect along with the interest up to the date of payment.
The following documents are to be submitted along with your application, as may be applicable:
Proof of joint option under para 26(6) of the EPF Scheme duly verified by the employer Proof of joint option under the proviso to Para 11 (3) of the pre-2014 amendment EPS duly verified by the employer Proof of remittance in the provident fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs 5,000 or Rs 6,500, as the case may be Proof of remittance in the pension fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs 5,000 or Rs 6,500, as the case may be Written refusal of the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner or any higher authority of EPFO to such requests/remittancesStep 5: Ensure that all the details mentioned in the form are correct. Click on "Submit" for final submission of the application. An acknowledgement number will be generated on successful submission of the application form. Keep this acknowledgement number handy for future reference.
If you retired prior to September 1, 2014
This option is for members who opted and contributed for higher EPS contribution before September 1, 2014 as per pre-amended scheme, but their higher EPS pension was rejected by EPFO at the time of retirement.
Step 1: Visit Member e-Sewa portal - https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/. There is an option for "validation of joint option". Click on that option.
Step 2: A new homepage will open. Select "Application form for validation of joint options". Before you start submitting your application for higher pension, keep your Pension Payment Order (PPO) handy. You are required to mention your PPO number in full without any special characters along with other details such as the Aadhaar number, name and date of birth as mentioned in the EPFO records. You should have a mobile number linked to your Aadhar number as per UIDAI records.
Step 3: Enter the required details - PPO number, name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, Aadhaar linked mobile number and captcha. Click on "Get OTP". A one-time password will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Once the OTP is entered, the process will be same as mentioned in the step 4 above.
How EPFO officials will review the application form
Once the application form is submitted by you, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC) will review the application forms and ancillary documents. Each application will be registered and digitally logged. A receipt number will be provided to the applicant. The RPFC will convert the application into an e-file.
The dealing assistant of the RPFC will examine the ancillary documents and mark the case to the section supervisor/account officer if need be.
The section supervisor/account officer will mark out any discrepancies and send it along with the rule position to the APFC/RPFC-II, who after due examination will forward it to the officer in-charge of the regional office.
The designated officer or commissioner will examine each case and dispose it off according to procedure. Details of disposal will be intimated to you through email/post.
Applicants can register grievances on https://epfigms.gov.in/. These will be addressed to and disposed off at the level of a nominated officer and monitored by the officer in-charge of the regional office and zonal office.
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This story originally appeared on: India Times - Author:Faqs of Insurances
