Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

June 27, 2023

Recently, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for members and pensioners to apply for higher Provident Fund (PF) pensions till July 11.

About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

  • It is a statutory bodythat came into existence under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, of 1952.
  • The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tripartite Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees' Provident Fund, consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.
  • The Board administers a contributory provident fund, a pension scheme, and an insurance scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.
  • It is one of the world’s largest organizations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken by it.
  • The Board is assisted by the Employees’ PF Organization (EPFO), consisting of offices at 122 locations across the country.
  • The EPFO is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
  • The Board operates three schemes, namely:
    • The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 1952 (EPF) and its features
      • Accumulation plus interest upon retirement and death.
      • Partial withdrawals allowed for education, marriage, illness, and house construction.
      • Housing scheme for EPFO members to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of Housing for all by 2022.
    • The Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS) and its features
      • The monthly benefit for superannuation/benefit, disability, survivor, widow(er), and children.
      • Minimum pension of disablement.
      • Past service benefit to participants of the erstwhile Family Pension Scheme, 1971.
  • The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI)
    • The benefit is provided in case of the death of an employee who was a member of the scheme at the time of death.
    • The benefit amount is 20 times the wages, a maximum benefit of 6 Lakh.