For members, the message is simple: don't be misled by headlines about '100% withdrawal'. The basic purpose of the EPF remains unchanged -- to help employees build a financial cushion for retirement while allowing limited access to savings for genuine needs during their working lives.
The Indian government has ratified an 8.25 per cent interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2025-26, with over seven crore contributing members expected to see this credited to their accounts this month.
EPFO said the measure could substantially improve retirement outcomes with nearly half its members expected to see an increase of up to 35 times in their old-age savings.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
While EPF rewards patience and compounds your money, inflation decides how far your money really goes.
If you have ever said 'I'll sort retirement later,' now is when 'later' begins.
Behind the aesthetics of an entrepreneurial lifestyle lies a silent financial crisis that nobody is talking about: Freelancers are sprinting toward a retirement brick wall.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to maintain the interest rate on employees' provident fund (EPF) deposits at 8.25 per cent for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking the second consecutive year at this rate.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will soon allow subscribers to withdraw their EPF and transfer it directly to their bank accounts through the UPI payment gateway. Testing of the facility has been completed, according to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
EPF doesn't just build your retirement fund -- it also provides free life insurance up to Rs 7 lakh under the EDLI scheme.
Of course, NOT! Here's why. And here's how you can increase your Rs 1 crore retirement corpus.
Life cycle funds may suit people who are starting their investing journey. They may suit those who do not want to monitor their investments frequently. Busy professionals, beginners and delegators, who lack the time, information or interest to manage asset allocation actively, may find these funds useful.
Who pays what into EPF, EPS, and EDLI -- the 12% math explained.
Your EPF isn't just a retirement pot. It's a financial safety net you can dip into for life's biggest needs. Here's how these one-time advances work and when to use them wisely.
Rising stressed debt and past exposures like Reliance Capital, Yes Bank push EPFO to frame exit rules for its portfolio.
When and how you can access EPF money before retirement without jeopardising your long-term retirement savings.
Here's unlocking the real story behind your EPF's 8.25% interest and what it truly means for your retirement kitty.
The 100 per cent withdrawal provision and the 25 per cent minimum balance provision have led to some confusion.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
A 10-part series that explains all you want to know about how India's EPF turns a slice of your monthly salary into long-term savings, pension, and life insurance.
EPFO has simplified PF withdrawals -- fewer rules, faster access, and more flexibility -- while introducing safeguards that make it harder to drain your retirement savings too early.
From the financial year 2025-2026, the government has introduced a new column in the tax return form for presumptive taxpayers, requiring them to disclose their year-end investments. This requirement was not present last year.
Retirement fund body EPFO has extended the deadline for filing EPF return or ECR (electronic challan-cum-return) by one week for the wage month of September till October 22, 2025. The employers are mandated to file the ECR by the 15th of every month.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
With Income Tax Act 2025 in force, your tax choice can quietly cost you big money if you're not paying attention. Ramalingam Kalirajan explains how
The most common mistake is investing without assessing suitability and long-term implications.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
EPF nominations decide inheritance -- here's what happens if you don't file.
'The tragedy underscored 'serious and widespread' weaknesses in the EPFO's monitoring system and its ability to detect and act against defaulting establishments.'
Isn't the goal of retirement planning to create a balanced portfolio that aligns with your financial goals, rather than chasing returns blindly, asks Ramalingam Kalirajan
Let's decode how EPS works, who qualifies, and how pensions are calculated, using simple examples for different salary levels.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) board has approved liberalised part withdrawals for subscribers, allowing up to 100 per cent EPF withdrawal, and rolled out the 'Vishwas Scheme' to reduce litigation through rationalised penal damages.
Such issues need to be addressed quickly to ensure your retirement savings are not affected.
Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Post your financial planning queries for rediffGURU and financial planning expert, Colonel Sanjeev Govila.
'These changes are expected to eliminate many data-entry problems that make the return filing process cumbersome in the current system.'
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
