Pension Under Provident Fund Schemes

In exercise of powers conferred under Section 6A of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Central Government formulated the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. The Scheme provides pensionary benefits to the members upon superannuation/retirement. In addition, in case of death of member/member pensioner, the pensionary benefits are also given to widow and children/orphan/ nominee/dependent parents as per the provisions contained in the Scheme.

The benefits under the Scheme are paid out of the Employees’ Pension Fund into which the employer and the Central Government contribute @ 8.33% and 1.16% of the wages respectively subject to a wage ceiling of Rs.6,500/-.

The Central Government had constituted an Expert Committee for reviewing the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 entirely including revision of Pension. The Expert Committee submitted its report to the Central Government on 5th August, 2010 and the recommendations of the Committee were placed before the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund [CBT (EPF)] for consideration on 15th September, 2010. The CBT(EPF) directed that the report be first considered by the Pension Implementation Committee (PIC). The PIC has since finalized its report and sent it to Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation for placing before the CBT (EPF) for taking a final decision in the matter in its ensuing meeting.