One of the World’s largest Social Security Organisations, The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) sets 20 days deadline for field offices for validation of joint applications under EPS-95, higher pension.
EPFO has issued a circular dated June 2, 2023, that has provided the information regarding the joint declaration option. The EPFO aims to streamline the process and address any errors or mistakes made by employers or pensioners promptly.
During this process, the field officers will carefully examine the submitted data and documents and communicate with employers or pensioners if any additional proof or correction is needed.
The circular said, “The expeditious disposal of the Applications for Validation of Joint Options/Joint Options from pensioners/ members being submitted by employers and forwarded to Field Offices in the same time as it exists for other claims becomes of utmost importance.”
“However, during regular reviews through VC, it has been observed that Demand Letter /Communication to the employer has not been issued promptly for cases said to have been scrutinized”, it added.
The entire circular can be read with a click here.
On May 2, 2023, Retirement fund body EPFO extended the date for filing applications to opt for a higher pension till June 26, 2023.
In order to provide a larger window of opportunity and in order to enable all eligible persons to file their applications, the timeline for filing applications would now be till 26th June 2023, according to a statement.
“The EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) has made arrangements for obtaining applications for validation of option/joint option from pensioners/members as per the Supreme Court order on November 4, 2022,” the labor ministry said in a statement.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in its judgment dated 04.11.2022 in Civil Appeal No. 8143-8144 of 2022 titled the (EPFO) Employees Provident Fund Organisation & Anr. etc. Vs. Sunil Kumar B. and Ors. etc., while upholding the validity of the amendments made to the Employees’ Pension Scheme,1995 (EPS,1995) vide G.S.R 609 (E) dated 22.08.2014 (effective from 01.09.2014) had also given certain directions along with deadlines for complying with the same.
Ministry of Labour & Employment has promptly taken all actions within the stipulated deadlines to comply with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the said order.
The first direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of the said judgment was in respect of giving opportunities to pensioners who had retired before 1.9.2014 after exercising joint options under paragraph 11(3) of the EPS,1995 but the joint options were rejected by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) (on account of cut-off date).
