Employees' Pension Scheme has been asked to fold up and hand over subscribers to National Pension System
A parliamentary panel has recommended an urgent review of the Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, to raise it to a more realistic and dignified level, considering the rising cost of living and the financial hardships faced by pensioners.
PFRDA Chairperson S Ramann announced an ambitious target to add 2-3 crore new subscribers to the National Pension System (NPS) within the next two years. This growth will be significantly driven by the new 'NPS Tatkal' scheme, which enables direct enrolment and contributions via UPI applications, making the pension system more accessible, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities and for the informal sector.
The protesters who had gathered under the banner of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme and National Joint Council of Action said they were worried about their post-retirement future.
The Union Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, a move expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under mandatory social security coverage.
Giving a Diwali gift, the government has decided to implement the old pension scheme, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced after a meeting of the state cabinet in Chandigarh.
EPF wage ceiling rising to Rs 25,000 could increase employer statutory contributions by Rs 1,200 monthly per employee.
"The pension amount is too meagre. Even in some cases it is less than Rs 200 per month. There is serious discontent and industrial unrest among the workers, " HMS secretary A D Nagpal said in a letter to the labour minister M Mallikarjun Kharge. Asking the government to address the anomalies in the scheme, Nagpal demanded that pension amount should be reasonably increased and the benefits which were withdrawn should be restored.
Banking services across India, particularly at public sector banks, are set to be disrupted for three days starting Monday due to a nationwide strike by bank unions. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), is primarily to press for a five-day working week and other demands, despite the finance ministry's appeal for dialogue.
There are over 1.36 lakh employees, including employees and pensioners under the new pension scheme.
It has the scope to offer better returns to savers and help government finance important projects.
The government plans to come up with a contributory pension scheme for its employees who joined service after October 2002, and set up a National Tax Tribunal to speed up settlement of disputes.
Banking services, particularly at public sector banks across India, were impacted by a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to demand the immediate implementation of a five-day workweek and resolution of pending wage-related issues.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of controversial government pension scheme by which a certain percentage of an employer's contribution to the provident fund is diverted for pension purposes.
If the strike materialises, banking services, especially in public sector banks, would be impacted for four days in many parts of the country. September 11 is a Friday, and the subsequent two days are bank holidays.
Part of the dues has been pending since 1995-96 - the inception year of the Employees' Pension Scheme administered by the EPFO. The Centre also owes the EPFO more than Rs 1,000 crore towards the minimum pension scheme it had notified in September 2014.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday promised to restore the old pension scheme for government employees in Himachal Pradesh if the Congress was voted to power in the assembly elections.
The finance ministry has announced that all banks, including Regional Rural Banks, will remain open on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to ensure public convenience amidst a proposed three-day strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) starting September 28, 2026. The strike, if it materialises, seeks a 5-day banking week and pension reforms.
The National Pension System is applicable for government employees joining the service after April 1, 2004. It was based on the premise of contribution rather than defined benefit applicable for employees prior to the NPS.
Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions.
The EPF should remain a retirement nest egg, not be turned into an emergency fund.
Failing to get Election Commission's nod for campaigning and undertaking preparatory activities for launch of the scheme on April 1, the government on Thursday announced its decision to defer extension of the scheme to other citizens. The Centre has already implemented the new pension system for its employees who joined on or after January 1, 2004.
The government will operationalise the interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and come up with the new pension scheme for about 1,00,000 employees from January 1, 2004.
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.
'There will be some inconvenience to people. But we have given one-month notice to the government one month ago.'
Members should review their nomination after marriage, childbirth, or other changes in family circumstances. They can file a fresh e-signed nomination to replace an earlier one.
The New Pension Scheme is one of the more ambitious programmes tried out by the government. If successful, it has the power to transform India's savings habits.
Bankers said the impact could become more visible from September 29 as customers could withdraw larger amounts of cash, although ATM operations are increasingly managed through third-party cash-loading arrangements.
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.
A two-day weekend would help employees recover physically and mentally. They would return better prepared for branch work that demands patience, judgment, and accuracy, asserts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
Of the Rs 31,820.80 crore allocated to central sector schemes and projects, only Rs 11,868.05 crore was utilised, according to the revised estimates.
If you have ever said 'I'll sort retirement later,' now is when 'later' begins.
Who pays what into EPF, EPS, and EDLI -- the 12% math explained.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Monday set May 3 as the deadline for subscribers to opt for a higher pension. The Supreme Court on November 4 allowed another change for employees who were existing EPS members as on September 1, 2014, to contribute up to 8.33 per cent of their actual salaries - as against 8.33 per cent of pensionable salary capped at Rs 15,000 a month - towards pension. The apex court gave a four-month window to enable opting for higher pensions.
The order also provides that the field office will incur expenditure on the facilitation function under the head of publicity.
The Delhi government has notified detailed guidelines for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, outlining strict provisions for beneficiaries found ineligible, including discontinuation of financial assistance, recovery of disbursed funds, and potential fraud charges. The scheme provides Rs 2,500 monthly to eligible women, with specific rules for fund disbursement via RD/FD accounts and CBDC wallets, along with clear eligibility and exclusion criteria.
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.
A delayed ITR could prompt greater scrutiny, document requests or processing delays.
