Higher EPS Pension: PMO Examines Pending Cases As Rajya Sabha Committee Seeks EPFO Status Report

Employees awaiting higher pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95) may have a reason to remain hopeful, as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is examining the matter amid pending legal proceedings. This development comes right after several employees raised concerns over delays and inconsistencies in the implementation of higher pension benefits by the EPFO. According to media reports, Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, a BJP Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, stated that a high-level meeting was held at the PMO to examine this issue. The matter is being considered in the context of two Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) pending before the Supreme Court. However, no final decision or fresh direction regarding the release of higher pensions has been announced so far.

Gopchade also highlighted concerns about the uniform implementation of higher EPS pensions during a Rajya Sabha session on August 06, 2026. Following his intervention, the Rajya Sabha Committee on Government Assurances asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to submit a status report explaining the progress that has been made on this issue.

The committee has pursued details about the government’s assurance and the present status of the matter. This development could bring greater attention to the concerns of the pensioners who have been waiting for some clarity on their higher pension applications.

Why Are Employees Still Facing Delays?

The major concerns relate to employees who worked in establishments exempted from the EPFO. These organisations generally operate their own provident fund trusts, which are subject to applicable rules and conditions. The National Confederation of Pensioners’ Associations (NCPA) has recently approached the Labour Ministry, seeking intervention in the pending higher pension applications of employees from such establishments.

According to the NCPA, this approach has resulted in the rejection of applications from employees. The pensioners’ body has also argued that exempted and unexempted establishments should receive equal treatment when higher pension applications are assessed, citing earlier court judgments.

What Are the Higher EPS Pension Options

Under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, the employer contributes 8.33 per cent of the employee’s eligible salary towards pension. For most employees contributing at the current wage ceiling of Rs 25,000, the maximum monthly EPS contribution works out to Rs 2,083. However, in its November 04, 2022 judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the option for eligible employees to contribute towards EPS based on their actual salaries; this is subject to applicable conditions.

However, the SC judgment did not grant the higher pension benefits to every employee. Eligible members had to submit applications to the EPFO and receive approvals. Approved applicants are also required to pay the applicable contribution shortfall.

The government informed Parliament in August 2026 that the EPFO had received 15.24 lakh applications for higher EPS pensions as of August 05, 2026. Of these, 11,595 applications were still pending.

While the PMO’s examination and the Rajya Sabha committee’s intervention have brought renewed attention to the issue, pensioners are, however, still awaiting some concrete resolution on this matter.