EPFO issues guidelines for submitting Employee-Employer Joint Option for higher pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme

To implement the directions passed by the Supreme Court in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation & Anr. Vs Sunil Kumar B. & Ors. (Please refer to our case update in the trailing mail), the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (“EPFO”) has issued a set of circulars providing the details for submitting Employee-Employer Joint Option for higher pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (“EPS”) to the concerned Regional Office.

The eligible employees and employers to exercise this option are those who:

1. had contributed under para 26(6) of the EPF Scheme on salary exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs 5,000 or Rs 6,500 and
2. did not exercise the joint option in the previous window while being EPS members and
3. were members before September 1, 2014, and continued to be a member on or after that date.

The said employees would apply to the concerned Regional Office in the following manner:

1. The request will be made in such form and manner, as may be specified by the Commissioner.
2. The joint option will contain the disclaimer and declaration as may be specified therein.
3. In case of share requiring adjustment from Provident Fund to Pension Fund, and if any re-deposit to the fund, explicit consent of the employee will be given in the joint option form.
4. In case of transfer of funds from exempted provident fund trust to pension fund of EPFO, an undertaking of the trustee shall be submitted. The undertaking shall be to the effect that due contribution along with interest up to the date of payment, will be deposited within the specified period.
5. In case of employees of unexempted establishments, refund of requisite employer’s share of contribution, the same shall be deposited with interest at the rate declared under Para 60 of EPF Scheme, 1952, till the date of actual refund.
6. The method of deposit and that of computation of pension will follow through subsequent circular.
7. Aforesaid joint option must contain the proof of remittance of employer’s share in Provident Fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs. 5,000/6,500 and proof of joint option under Para 26(6) of EPF Scheme duly verified by the employer.

The said joint application form submitted before the Regional P.F. Commissioner will be processed in the following manner:

1. A facility will be provided for which URL will be informed shortly. Once received, the Regional P. F. Commissioner shall put up adequate notice on the notice board and banners for wider public information.
2. Each application will be registered and digitally logged. The receipt number will be provided to the applicant.
3. The application will land into the employer’s login whose verification with Digital Signature/ e-sign will be essential for further processing.
4. RPFC will cause each application to be converted into e-file, as far as possible.
5. The concerned dealing assistant will examine the papers including the note on receipt of due amount in the Pension Fund and mark the case to Section Supervisor I Account Officer.
6. The concerned SS / AO will mark out discrepancies, if any and send it after due examination, with the rule position to APFC / RPFC-II for deciding the case.
7. Officer-in charge of the concerned Regional Office will send a weekly monitoring report to the respective zonal office. Zonal Office will also report the aggregate position of the zones weekly to the Pension Division at Head Office.

Any grievance by the applicant can be registered on EPFiGMS after submission of his joint option form and payment of due contribution, if any. The registration of such grievance shall be under specified category of higher pension with reference to Supreme Court Judgment dated 04.11.2022. All such grievances shall be addressed    and disposed of at the level of Nominated Officer. Grievances will be monitored by the Officer in-charge of Regional Office and Zonal Office.

Source : Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation