1. Further to my article EPS 95 Scheme Eligibility for Higher Pension dated 05.01.2023, I have received several queries regarding the eligibility for a higher pension. Following Supreme Court Judgements dated 04.11.2022, confusion prevails among pensioners and working individuals people: will they also be eligible for higher pensions on submitting a joint option with the Authorities? There is no clarity on circulars issued by the EPFO in this regard.
Also Read: EPS 95 – Higher Pension Vs EPF – Comparative Analysis
An attempt has been made to clarify these issues with the help of Illustrations.
2. Background: Employees provident Fund Act 1952 prescribes 12 percent of the employee’s salary [basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA)] contribution to the EPF by both the employee and the employer.
2.1 In the year 1995, the pension scheme was introduced vide Section 6A of the EPF Act. Under the said scheme, the employer’s contribution of 8.33 % was required to be diverted to the pension scheme. The maximum pensionable salary for the purpose was Rs 5000/- which was later raised to Rs 6500/-.[The pensionable salary is the part of an employee’s salary that is considered when calculating pension contributions].
2.2 In March 1996, a proviso was inserted in clause 11(3) of the EPS scheme giving the employer and employee an option to contribute a percentage of the actual salary, provided the employee and the employer have no objection.
2.3 Employees who were members of EPS 95 and willing to exercise contribution on actual wages in the pension fund were required to fill and submit a joint option Form to get the pension on actual salary
2.4 The employers were contributing 12% of the actual salary (Basic+DA) in the EPF account as an employer’s contribution. On receipt of the options form, they were to transfer 8.33% of salary exceeding Rs 5000/- or Rs 6500/- as the case may be, to the pension fund out of the employer’s contribution.
2.5 A joint declaration by the employer and the employee was required to be submitted to the Pension Authorities on the date the salary exceeds Rs 5000 or Rs.6500.
2.6 On September 1, 2014, the EPFO amended the Scheme to increase the limit of pensionable salary to Rs 15000/-per month.
2.7 A fresh option was to be exercised jointly by the employer and the employee for continuing pension contribution on actual salary. The option was required to be exercised by the member within six months from the 1st day of September 2014.
3. The whole issue is about restrictions regarding the time limit for exercising the option.
4. Hon’ble Supreme Court vide judgment dated 04.11.2022 has conveyed instructions in this regard.
Category of employees: The employees can be broadly classified into the following categories based on eligibility for a higher pension.
5. Employees who retired before 2014 without exercising the option: The employees who retired before 1st September 2014 without exercising any option have already exited from membership. They would not be entitled to the benefit of a higher pension (Para 44(iv) of Supreme Court Judgment dated 04.11.2022)
5.1 Illustration: Mr. Anuj was working with XYZ Limited. In 1995, his pensionable salary per month (Basic+DA) was Rs 6000/-. He was required to submit a joint option from the day his salary exceeds Rs 6500/- pm. Since Mr. Anuj was not aware of the proviso to 11(3), he did not exercise the option till the date of retirement in Aug 2005. Though the salary at the time of retirement was 10000/- per month, the amount contributed towards pension was restricted to Rs 542/-(8.33% of Rs 6500) only. The monthly pension was ascertained considering pensionable salary as Rs 6500/- only. He is getting a meager pension and is not entitled to the benefit of a higher pension.
6. Employees retired before 2014, and their Joint Option request was denied by the Authorities. EPFO vide circular dated 29.12.2022 laid down the condition for employees to receive a higher pension. The circular states that employees must have exercised the option for a higher pension before their retirement but was explicitly denied by the EPFO. Thus the employees who had exercised the option but the same were rejected by the Authorities are entitled to submit a joint option and get a higher pension.
6.1 Illustration: Mr. Bimal was also not aware of the proviso to 11(3) and retired in 2005 without exercising the option. On the date of retirement in 2005, he submitted the plea to the Authorities that proviso 11(3) was not in his knowledge and therefore higher pension benefit may be given to him.
6.2 The plea was denied by the authorities on the ground that there was a cut-off date for exercising the option.
6.3 Later on, it was held by Supreme Court in RC Gupta Case that the cut-off dates were not to determine the eligibility of employer–employee to indicate their option under proviso 11(3) for higher pension.
6.4 Now, he can submit a joint option form by login into the EPFO website.
7. Employees retired after 2014 but could not exercise the option. On September 1, 2014, the EPFO amended the act to increase the limit of pensionable salary to Rs 15000/-per month. Para 11(4) of the amendment stipulated that a fresh option be exercised jointly by the employer and employee for continuing contribution on actual salary.
7.1 Illustration: Mr. Chirag, was not at all aware of the Joint Option issue. His knowledge was limited to the fact that 12% of the employee-employer contribution is being accumulated in his retirement fund. He retired in 2018 and his account got settled. He received a lump sum PF contribution and a getting a very small amount of monthly pension (based on the amount diverted to the pension fund @ 1250 per month (before 01.09.2014 it was Rs. 542 only).
7.2 Though, he is eligible to submit the join option form but required to deposit a hefty amount towards pension contribution on actual salary. He needs to return all such amounts that he may have taken or withdrawn from the provident fund account.
7.3 The second major issue with employees like him that how to approach an ex-employer for submitting a JOINT OPTION. Some of the companies may even close as on date.
8. Serving Employees not exercised the option: This category of employees are entitled to submit the join option form as per Supreme Court Judgement dated 04.11.2022 but EPFO has not issued any guidelines so far for such employees.
The biggest challenge for such employees and their employers is to dig out records as old as 1995 and calculate the amount to be transferred from the PF Fund to the Pension Fund
9. Calculation of EPS Pension The formula to calculate the EPS pension is as follows:
(a) Monthly pension amount= (Pensionable salary X pensionable service)/70.”
(b) Pensionable salary: This refers to the average of the last drawn salary. “The pensionable salary has been defined as the average of last the 60 months’ salary.
(c) Pensionable service: This refers to the number of years for which contributions were made to the EPS account
(d) If a person superannuates at the age of 58 years and has rendered more than 20 years or more of pensionable service, then his service period will be increased by weightage of 2 years subject to a maximum of 35 years of pensionable service.
9.1 Illustration Mr. David has exercised the joint option and 8.33 % of the employer’s contribution has been amount diverted to the EPS account. His actual average salary for the last 5 years is Rs 50000/- per month. He has rendered services for 25 years
The monthly pension amount will be calculated as follows:
[50000 x 27(25+2)] / 70 = Rs 19285/-
Employees not exercised option but getting higher pension There is another category of employees who are getting higher pension because of a favourable decision given by various Courts, though they had never exercised the option.
10.1 The Supreme Court upheld the EPS-95 in 2003 in the OTIS Elevator case. The pension of 24,672 persons was revised later. Other pensioners got favourable orders from various courts subsequently. These pensioners are getting higher pensions though they had not exercised the joint option
10.2 EPFO vide circular dated 05.01.2023 instructed the regional offices of the EPFO to re-examine the cases of employees who retired before September 1, 2014, without exercising any option and were granted a pension on higher wages.
EPFO is likely to issue a follow-up circular, shortly, which would indicate the applicability of the higher pension option to other categories of employees/ pensioners, thereby completing the necessary compliance with the Supreme Court Order of November 4, 2022.
Employers are advised to stay prepared for its implementation, which may include understanding the financial implications of this option, assessing the extent of historical employee data available to them, and being ready to communicate this to their employees.
Disclaimer: The article is for educational purposes only
The author can be approached at caanitabhadra@gmail.com
Author Bio
I have joined PSU on 2013 and my retirement is on 2052 so i have 39 year of service. In this case my contribution is deducted for 39 year or 35 year because max pensionable service is 35 only.
My Service life is 37 year but max pensionable service cap is 35 in that situation do i have to contribute for 35 year or 37 year.
Dear madam, thanks for such a detailed analysis of the issue and your hard work of replying to the queries.
my question is, the employees who have joined after 01.09.2014, can they opt for higher pension.
thanks in advance.
Thanks for your humble comment.
Employees joined after 01.09.2014, having salary more than 15000/- are not eligible for EPS Membership.
Thanks for the reply ma’am
What is your reply if employees joined employment after 01.09.2014 and employer is deducting PF on his salary and 8.33% of Rs. 15,000 (Rs. 1250/-) goes in pension fund every month.
Thanks in advance
कृपया ये बतायें कि mem.epfindia.gov.in यह साईट १/९/२०१૪ वालो के लिये नही काम केता है। ppo नही दिखा रहा है। इस साईट पर uan दिखा रहा है। तो हम कैसे भरेगे ।
UAN toin sabhi ke liye mandatory hein even for members who were in service as on 01.09.2014 and continued to be in afterwards
I retired in sep 2015 my gross sal was 16000pm at present my pension is Rs 1729 can i apply for higher pension
No, if attained the age of 58 in 2013
Mam,
My Basic salary was Rs.15,000 before and after 01.09.2014 and my PF contribution was 12% from my Basic Salary.
Since from 01.09.2014, PF wage ceiling was amended to Rs.15000/- from Rs.6500/-
Whether i am eligible to apply for the Higher Pension
Your salary itself is within the ceiling limit of Rs 15000/-
If it increased afterwards and pension contribution continued on Rs 15000/-, you are eligible for higher pension.
I need my higher old EPS 95 pension amount on my medical grounds of heart Disease with pace maker and perkinson problem
i retiar august 2020 and my salary was rs 26360/ and pf deduction is my full salary. how to apply higher pension my job time 1986 to2020 total 34year
Refer the article :
EPS 95- Procedure to Apply Online for Higher Pension.
https://taxguru.in/income-tax/eps-95-procedure-apply-online-higher-pension.html
HI,
I am retired in 2017 , 60 years of services.
While applying for higher pension , i am getting error of database package have some error. i am confused why i am not able to apply .
Please suggest .
Thank you in Advance
Different type of errors are displaying on the portal .
Make sure there is not even spelling difference in your name and other details in Aadhaar , from the details on portal) .
Details should be matched
Hello Madam,
Have two questions :
1) A person getting high wages, say 1lakh pm, hence high EPS contribution in the initial 30 years, and in LAST 5 yrs gets very small salary ( due to honorarium / low wages due to lower job profile etc) say 10000 and hence correspondingly EPS contribution in last 60 months. How will pension be calculated in this case despite paying huge EPS in first 30 years?
2) For a person who has become a pensioner in 2015, he needs to pay the differential with interest. In such a case, should he not get revised pension from 2015 and also interest on pension?
Thanks in Advance
Hello Madam,
Have two questions :
1) A person getting high wages, say 1lakh pm, hence high EPS contribution in the initial 30 years, and in LAST 5 yrs gets very small salary ( due to honorarium / low wages due to lower job profile etc) say 10000 and hence correspondingly EPS contribution in last 60 months. How will pension be calculated in this case despite paying huge EPS in first 30 years?
2) For a person who has become a pensioner in 2015, he needs to pay the differential with interest. In such a case, should he not get revised pension from 2015 and also interest on pension?
Thanks in Advance
The pension will be calculated based on last 60 months of actual salary irrespective of the fact that it is less than the salary of earlier years.
A person cannot become if join after Sep 2014.
In case he is member prior to Sep 2014, he should get arrears of pension along with interest
Dear Madam,
I was working with a Pvt. Sector Co. before I retired. I attained my age of 58 on 1st Sept., 2013 and started getting pension under EPS’95 from next month onwards. My contribution to Pension Fund also stopped effective 1st Sept, 2013. However, my Contribution to EPF continued till I finally retired from the Co. on 30th Sept, 2015 on attaining the age of 60 years. It may kindly be noted that before I retired, I have not exercised the option of Pension on higher salary. Should I now be eligible to apply for pension on higher salary?
Not eligible as retired ( attained the age of 58 years ) before Sep 2014
Hello Madam,
I worked for an organization with “exempt” status from 2003 till 2011. While exiting the organization, I have withdrawn PF+EPS instead of transfer.
I am continuing my employment with another organization from 2011 till now. I am eligible for higher pension.
If I opt for higher pension now, will they consider my tenure in the previous organization for computation of dues to be paid and also to arrive at the number of pensionable years?
EPF withdrawal is fine but EPS should not be withdrawn.
There is a provision in EPS Act , if a member ceases to be in employment other than superannuation he may be issued a scheme certificate by the Commissioner indicating the pensionable service, the pensionable salary and the amount of pension due on the date of exit from the employment.
If he/she is subsequently employed in an establishment coverable under this Scheme, his/her earlier service as per the scheme certificate shall be reckoned for pension along with the fresh spell of pensionable service.
In your case , since you have not taken service certificate and withdrawn EPS , past service will not be considered
Madam,
I worked in a Private company from 11th Nov 98 to 30th Nov 2017 and my pf contribution stopped at 58 years in Nov 2015.
Joint option has already been exercised and accepted by EPFO.
My company calculated the amount to be given to EPFO as below:
Diff EPS: Rs 426972, Int. Amt: Rs. 782412, Addlestone 1.16%: Rs. 10689, Total: Rs 1220083/-
My average salary for Last 60 months stands at Rs 61155/-. I am presently getting pension of Rs 1622/-
My question is after I pay the arrears of Rs. 1220083/- to EPS, Wheather EPFO will pay me pension arrears from December 2015 to the present date with interest as I am also paying them interest? If so, at what rate of interest? Will it be at same interest rate that I am going to pay?
Kindly show a calculation so that all others with similar cases will be able to decide.
Refer my other articles on Tax Guru
https://taxguru.in/corporate-law/eps-95-higher-pension-frequently-asked-questions.html
ma’ am
i want to know how much interest to be paid to Eps 95. if we know the total basic till date if joined organisation in 1997.or can we get calculation
You can calculate interest amount.
The interest will be @ prevailing rate of pf interest * differential amount .
The differential amount will be the difference between Pension remitted & 8.33% of Basic + Day( to be calculated on monthly basis)
is there any capping/upper limit on higher pension
The capping is on maximum year of pensionable service ( 35 years )for calculating pension and not on amount. .
If both myself & spouse expire before reaching age of 58 yrs. What will happen to the EPS-95 amount accumulated in the new pension scheme.
Children below 25 years of age will get 25%pension
My Dad got retired in May-2015. will he get arrears of pension along with interest? after paying the Difference of EPS contribution with interest.
In case , he retired at the age of 60 – not eligible for higher pension as he attained age of 58 before 2014.
However , if retired in 2015 at the age of 58 , he will get arrears of pension with interest.
my husband retired before 1999 and before 58 years he get pention Rs 1000/-
my husband retired from service before 1999
and after 58 year s he start pf Rs 1000/-
can हे eligible for higher pention
No, the employees who retired before Sep 2014 are not eligible for higher pension.
Mam
i started taking pension from the age 50 years. Am I eligible for higher pension?
Yes , you are eligible
Dear Mam,
Whether employees retired before will get arrears of higher pension since the date of his retirement till the commencement of higher pension?
Whether he has to pay interest for arrears period along with EPS amount to be deposited?
EPFO is taking option forms without any proper, clear guidelines.
and where do I find all these rules, as some rules mentiined in your answers such as 1. pension will start at 58 age, and if it is started before there will be reduction at the rate of 4%per year,
2. if husband wife bith are EPS members, after anyone dies, survivor will get half pension along with his own pension.
such rules are not stated in EPS scheme, EPF act etc.
The rules mentioned in my article are from EPS Act and FAQs on EPFO portal. For your other queries the logical answers are (to the best of my limited understanding of the circulars issued by EPFO time to time) as follows:
(a) Retired employees will get arrears of pension along with interest.
(b) Employees need to pay interest on differential amount.
Thank you very much mam for your valueable guidance.
Respected Madam,
Namaste.
My near one is drawing a basic pay of Rs.1L.
12% of BP equal to 12000 is deducted as EPF. 8.33% of Rs.15000 = 1250 going to EPS95 from employer’s contribution. he has joined the service in 2007. please tell me, whether he has to submit the joint option form for pension on higher salary? By which date, it is to be submitted? Thanks and highest regards.
He has to submit join option Form latest by 03.03.2023
Dear Mam,
Whether employees retired before will get arrears of higher pension since the date of his retirement till the commencement of higher pension?
Whether he has to pay interest for arrears period along with EPS amount to be deposited?
EPFO is taking option forms without any proper, clear guidelines.
Mam i am a west bengal government employee if i take VRS in medical grounds at the age of 46 will i get this pension and if i get then at what age the pension will start i am under now eps 95 my employer is asking to give option for higher pension should I apply for it if i apply and don’t get pension then will i get the amount deposited in pension fund from my pf will i get it back please advise mam i am very much confused
MAM KINDLY REPLY
Mam i am a west bengal government employee if i take VRS in medical grounds at the age of 46 will i get this pension and if i get then at what age the pension will start i am under now eps 95 my employer is asking to give option for higher pension should I apply for it if i apply and don’t get pension then will i get the amount deposited in pension fund from my pf will i get it back please advise mam i am very much confused
Mam i am a west bengal government employee if i take VRS in medical grounds at the age of 46 will i get this pension and if i get then at what age the pension will start i am under now eps 95 my employer is asking to give option for higher pension should I apply for it if i apply and don’t get pension then will i get the amount deposited in pension fund from my pf will i get it back please advise mam i am very much confused
Pension will start at the age of 58 . You can take early pension from the age of 50 but the there will be reduction in pension @ 4% for every year.( 8 years)
Depending upon your circumstances, you can take a decision. If you opt for higher pension and it is approved , then only your amount will be credited in Pension Account otherwise it will be redirected to the PF Fund by the Pension Authorities .
Mam if i am not eligible for the pension then the extra amount that is being deducted from my pf will i get back that amount if i like to withdraw that will i get back that differential amount because its my contribution not employers
Mam i liked your information very much very detailed information
Kindly suggest
Your contribution will not be diverted for the pension. It will be from employer’s contribution only. If you are not eligible for pension , Employer’s contribution will remain in your PF and you will get back the mount at the time of your retirement.
Mam if i leave my service at 46 by taking vrs after completing 27 years service will be eligible for this pension means after 4 years i will get to start the pension at 50 but at reduced rate as my age goes up does the rate will increase or it will be fixed
Mam if i leave my service at 46 by taking vrs after completing 27 years service will be eligible for this pension means after 4 years i will start getting the pension at 50 but at reduced rate as my age goes up does the rate will increase or it will be fixed.
Mam if i leave my service at 46 by taking vrs after completing 27 years service will be eligible for this pension means after 4 years i will get to start the pension at 50 but at reduced rate as my age goes up does the rate will increase or it will be fixed.
In case you start pension at the age of 50 years of age , pension will be decreased @ 4% each year for 8 years ( 58-50)
You have published best analysis on Hon Supreme court Judgement dt. 04.11.2022. Great …..
My question to you that I have worked 3 exempted org companies trusts and last worked org data is available with PF authorities ( it is Unexempted Org). Out of these 2 organizations are closed. I am retired on 03.08.2018. but i have 10 C for the last 3 organizations and filed Form D to EPF but they have calculated my pension based on (Rs. 15000+6500) instead of my actual contribution to pension fund saying that you have not submitted joint option form in the year 2014(Oct 14). Now I have submitted my Joint option form to EPF Office along with Member PF account copy. How they are going to get data from my closed organizations.PF trusts.
Thanks for your humble comment.
To the best of my limited understanding :- Data will be available with EPFO as monthly details of PF ( employer & employee ) indicating UAN No. would have been send then by your organization to EPFO.
The only problem could be :- Attestation / Verification on joint option Form by the employer is must for exercising the higher pension option.
Dear Mam,
My father retired in the year 2004 after serving in Central government. He passed away in the year 2017, my mother is receiving pension on his behalf. Is she eligible to opt for the higher pension option.
I was working in PSU since1973.i enter into EPS-95 and continued contribution accordingly.I took VRS in 2003 before retirement age. My EPF benifits were settled and getting my meager pension of rs.1200. Now whether I am eligible higher pension or not. Please guide me as I am under confusion.
Hello Madam,
Thank you so much for helping retired people like me with your good advice.
I retired from L & T Infotech Limited on 23-Oct-2015. They have Private trust, LARSEN & TOUBRO OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY STAFF PROVIDENT FUND for handelling the Retirment Benefits.
I withdrew my PF fund from them on 22-Oct-2018, and I was not required to go to EPFO as Retirement Benefits were handelled by the company trust themselves.
Currently I am getting a very small amount yearly under their superannuation scheme.
Can you pl. advice if am I eligible for higher Pension? If eligible, what do I need to do to get the higher Pension? If yes, till what date this needs to be done.
Thank you Sir for your humble comment. .
If you retired in 2015 at the age of 60 you are not eligible for a higher pension as the members who attained the age of 58 on or before Sep 2014 are not eligible as per Supreme Court Judgment dated 04.11.2022
Thanks Madam,
I was 55 years old in 2015.
Can you pl. advice if am I eligible for higher Pension? If eligible, what do I need to do to get the higher Pension and till what date this needs to be done?
I was 55 years old in 2015.
Can you pl. advice if am I eligible for higher Pension? If eligible, what do I need to do to get the higher Pension? If yes, till what date this needs to be done?
I was 55 years old in 2015.
Can you pl. advice if am I eligible for higher Pension? If eligible, what do I need to do to get the higher Pension and till what date this needs to be done?
You are eligible for higher pension . Submit Joint option Form to EPFO , duly attested by the employer before 03 March 2023
My father retired May1997 after death of my father mother get widower pension Rs1000 now she is eligible for higher pension.
She is not eligible for higher pension as retirement date of your father was before Sep 2014.
I worked in an exempted establishment since 1989 and retired Jul 2015. My average pensionable of 60 months is Rs. 50, 000/-. what amount will be receivable/payable if I opt for higher pensioner
Thanks & Regards
100%
On death of member ( before the pension started ) spouse will get 100% pension.
Whereas on death of a pensioner ( death happened after pension started) , the spouse will get 50% pension.
Hello madam,
my query is, how much pension shall the nominee receive if the employee opts for higher pension, in case of death of employee before 58 years eg. let’s say the employee dies at 45 years
My EPS contribution was made based the actual salary and now Iam completed 58 years.Iam having 27 years of service.what to for getting higher pension.
Submit Joint option Form with EPFO for higher pension
my took voluntary retirement in 1993 without any benefits, he was supposed to retire in 1997, is he eligible for eps 95.
He is eligible subject to refund of amount( differential pension ) with interest
but he is not getting any sort of pension
PF received at the time of retirement is required to be refunded
mam, thanks a lot for your advice, I am confused here because my father took voluntary retirement in 1993, you said he is eligible for eps 95, I have read two queries where you have said that who have retired before September 2014 is eligible for pension. please clarify.
mam, thanks a lot for your advice, I am confused here because my father took voluntary retirement in 1993, you said he is eligible for eps 95, I have read two queries where you have said that who have retired before September 2014 is not eligible for pension. please clarify.
I joined as a member of EPFO on 07/12/1981. PF contribution of 12% on the actual monthly salary was recovered and remitted along with the equal share of employer in my EPF account. From 15/11/1995, i.e., date of amendment of EPS 95, on my PF contribution of 12% on the actual monthly salary(Rs.10,800/-) was recovered, and remitted along with the equal share of employer in my EPF account. I got Superannuated on 10/03/2003. My salary on the date of exit was Rs.26,522/-.(My contribution towards PF around Rs.3000/- along with the equal share of employer has been remitted to EPFO, and received by EPFO without objection. But EPFO is paying monthly pension observing the pensionable ceiling limit of Rs.6,500/- instead of considering average of monthly salary drawn preceding the date of exit. Should I give option for higher salary now? or should I request for refund of the amount received in excess of the ceiling limit of Rs.6,500/- with accrued interest? The amount is remaining in my account from 10/03/2003 till date!!! kindly advice me.
Sir
Employees retired before Sep 2014 not eligible for pension.
your amount on actual salary was towards PF but not towards Pension.
pension calculation on ceiling salary is right
I have taken VRS in 2020 and aged 56.if I opt for higher pension I am advised to pay Rs.24.67 lakhs to epfo.is it advisable to pay such huge sum and how much pension will I get .my basic +da was Rs1.95lakhs.do you recommend such payment and when will the pension payment start .will epfo wait for my corpus to grow before commencing pension payment.please reply
It is advisable to pay a huge sum in order to get a lifelong higher pension.
The amount of pension you will get is pensionable service * Average salary of last 60 months / 70
If pensionable service is more than 20 years, additional 2 years will be added to pensionable service.
EPFO will not wait for your corpus to grow before commencing pension payment.
hello madam
I have joined in 1993 and my retirement is in 2035.please mention what will be my pensionable period.
35 YEARS .
The maximum service for EPS is 35 years ( including additional 2 years for completing 20 years
Hello ma’am, my father retired in 2019. Though his basic pay was above 15000 before retirement, no application for joint option was made for deducting higher amount from salary. can he now apply for higher pension? and if yes, do we have to pay any amount into epf for that?
Yes, he can opt and the amount received from PF along with interest is required to be refunded to EPFO
How to apply for the higher pension scheme?
EPFO guidelines are awaited . However as per their circular for specific category , form along with relevant documents need to be uploaded on EPFO portal.
what will happen if
1)if employee expired before 58 years of service, what will be pension to his/her spouse
2)if employee resign form job before 58 years
3) if employee take VRS
4) PSU employs like Indian oil are eligible to higher option or not
If employee retire 58 years of service , spouse will get full pension.
If employee resign/ VRS , his pension will start form the age of 58 years.
PSU employees can opt for higher pension
My friend expired at the age of 56 in 2018. Is his spouse eligible to apply for higher pension?
Yes , she is eligible for higher pension.
how to get joint option form?
There is no standard FORMAT issued by EPFO . The organizations are providing Joint Option Form on its own.
It is available on Google also.