If you draw an EPS-95 pension, or you have years of PF service behind you, take a breath. The new Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 does not cut your pension. It replaces the old rulebook, and every rupee you have already earned carries forward.
Quick answer: The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 replaced the EPS-95 rulebook on 29 June 2026. Sanctioned pensions and past service are fully protected, and you do not need to re-apply. Under the new scheme, EPFO must settle a pension claim within 20 days. If it is delayed beyond that without a valid reason, 12% yearly interest may be charged on the benefit, and it may even be recovered from the Commissioner's salary.
EPS 2026 is the government's new pension rulebook for salaried workers. The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified it on 29 June 2026 through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 527(E), made under the Code on Social Security, 2020. It came into force the day it was published. It supersedes the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 and the older Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971, except for things already done under them. The scheme is funded by an employer contribution of 8.33% of wages up to the ceiling, plus 1.16% from the Central Government. In plain words: the framework is new, but your earned rights are safe.
This is the most important part, so read it slowly. If your pension is already sanctioned, it keeps coming as before. If you are still working, your past service and your contributions carry forward into the new scheme. You do not lose eligibility, and you do not have to file a fresh application just because the rulebook changed. EPS 2026 covers both new members who join on or after 29 June 2026 and existing EPS-95 members, so nobody is left out.
Several core numbers stay the same too:
| Feature | EPS-95 (old rulebook) | EPS 2026 (from 29 June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing notification | Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 | Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, G.S.R. 527(E), under the Code on Social Security, 2020 |
| Your already-sanctioned pension | Paid | Fully protected, carries forward, no re-apply |
| Past and contributory service | Counted | Carries forward into EPS 2026 |
| Minimum pension | ₹1,000 per month | ₹1,000 per month, same |
| Wage ceiling | ₹15,000 per month | ₹15,000 per month, same |
| Eligibility for pension | 10 years of service | 10 years of service, same |
| Pension formula | Wages × service ÷ 70 | Wages × service ÷ 70, same |
| Claim settlement | Settled under earlier EPFO rules | Settle in 20 days, or 12% yearly interest may apply and may be recovered from the Commissioner's salary |
This is the part that helps ordinary members the most. Under EPS 2026, a Commissioner must settle your pension claim within 20 days of receiving it. If the claim is delayed beyond 20 days without sufficient cause, interest at 12% per year may be charged on the benefit amount. The scheme goes one step further: that interest may be deducted from the salary of the Commissioner. This puts a real cost on delay and gives you something firm to point to under EPS 2026.
Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak superannuated in 2026 after 30 years of pensionable service, with pensionable wages at the ₹15,000 ceiling. His monthly pension works out as ₹15,000 × 30 ÷ 70, which is about ₹6,429.
He submitted his pension claim to the EPFO office on 1 July 2026. Under EPS 2026, the office must settle it by 21 July 2026, which is 20 days later. Suppose it is still not settled by then and the office has no valid reason. In that case, 12% yearly interest may be charged on his benefit, and that interest may be recovered from the Commissioner's salary. Because Dr. Pathak kept his acknowledgement and filed an RTI to fix the date of receipt on record, he has a strong basis to claim the interest.
EPS 2026 keeps flexible timing. You can take an early pension from age 50. It is reduced by 4% for each year your age falls short of the age of superannuation. You can also defer your pension beyond the age of superannuation, but not past 60, and it rises 4% for each completed year you wait. If you complete more than 20 years of pensionable service, the scheme gives you extra weightage on top.
Family pension continues under the new scheme. A widow or widower receives pension until death or remarriage. An orphan's pension is 75% of the widow or widower rate. Children also receive pension, and dependent parents can receive it as a residual benefit when there is no eligible spouse or child. If you leave a job before you qualify for pension, you can take a withdrawal benefit, or ask for a Scheme Certificate that preserves your service so it still counts later.
No. If your pension is already sanctioned, it keeps coming as before. EPS 2026 replaces the old rulebook, but it protects rights that were already earned. You do not need to re-apply.
No. Your past service and contributions carry forward automatically. You only file a claim when you actually retire or become eligible, just as before.
Under EPS 2026, the Commissioner must settle your pension claim within 20 days of receiving it. If it is delayed beyond 20 days without sufficient cause, 12% yearly interest may be charged on your benefit, and it may even be recovered from the Commissioner's salary.
Yes. EPS 2026 keeps the minimum pension at not less than ₹1,000 per month. The ₹15,000 wage ceiling and the 10-year eligibility rule also stay the same.
The formula is pensionable wages × pensionable service ÷ 70. For example, ₹15,000 wages over 30 years of service gives about ₹6,429 a month.
EPS 2026 was notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 527(E) dated 29 June 2026, under the Code on Social Security, 2020. It came into force on the date of publication and supersedes the 1995 and 1971 schemes.
It continues. A widow or widower gets pension until death or remarriage. An orphan gets 75% of the widow or widower rate, children get pension, and dependent parents can receive it as a residual benefit.
File an RTI with the EPFO Public Information Officer asking for the date your claim was received, its status, and the reason for the delay. This fixes the timeline on record and supports your claim for 12% interest. Our AI RTI Drafter can prepare the letter.