Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-description=(EPS 2026 replaced EPS-95 on 29 June 2026. Your sanctioned pension stays safe, and EPFO must now settle a pension claim in 20 days or 12 percent interest can apply.)&metatag-keywords=(EPS 2026, EPS-95 replaced, EPFO pension claim 20 days, minimum pension 1000, Employees Pension Scheme 2026)&metatag-robots=(index,follow)&metatag-title=(Employees' Pension Scheme 2026 Replaces EPS-95)&metatag-og:title=(Employees' Pension Scheme 2026: What Replaces EPS-95)&metatag-og:description=(EPS 2026 replaced EPS-95 on 29 June 2026. Your sanctioned pension stays safe, and EPFO must now settle a pension claim in 20 days or 12 percent interest can apply.)&metatag-og:type=(article)}}
+====== Employees' Pension Scheme 2026: What Replaces EPS-95 for You ======
+{{ :social:auto:employees-pension-scheme-2026-eps-95-replaced-india.png?direct&1200 |Employees' Pension Scheme 2026: What Replaces EPS-95 for You — RTI Wiki}}
+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.
+<WRAP info>
+**Quick Reply:** 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.
+</WRAP>
+===== What EPS 2026 is =====
+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.
+===== Your pension is protected: what does not change =====
+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:
+  * Minimum pension: not less than ₹1,000 per month.
+  * Wage ceiling for pension: ₹15,000 per month.
+  * Eligibility: at least 10 years of eligible service for a superannuation pension.
+  * Pension formula: pensionable wages × pensionable service ÷ 70.
+  * Family pension for your spouse and children continues.
+===== EPS-95 vs EPS 2026: what changed and what stayed =====
+^ 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 |
+===== A 20-day deadline with real teeth =====
+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.
+===== What to do if your pension claim is delayed =====
+  - Note the exact date the EPFO office received your claim. The 20-day clock starts from that date, so keep your acknowledgement slip or online submission ID safe.
+  - Count 20 days. If there is no settlement and no valid reason for the delay, the delay may attract 12% yearly interest on your benefit.
+  - Write to your Regional PF Commissioner. State the date of receipt, quote the 20-day settlement rule, and ask for immediate settlement plus interest.
+  - File an RTI with the EPFO Public Information Officer. Ask for the date your claim was received, its current status, the reason for the delay, and the officer handling it. Our [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] can write this letter for you.
+  - If you get no reply within 30 days, or the reply is unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal. The [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]] guides each step.
+  - Keep copies of every letter, reply and receipt. A clear paper trail is what makes the interest rule work in your favour.
+===== A worked example =====
+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.
+===== Early, deferred and longer service =====
+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 and leaving a job early =====
+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.
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== Does EPS 2026 reduce my current pension? ====
+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.
+==== Do I have to submit a fresh application because of EPS 2026? ====
+No. Your past service and contributions carry forward automatically. You only file a claim when you actually retire or become eligible, just as before.
+==== What is the 20-day rule for pension claims? ====
+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.
+==== Is the minimum pension still ₹1,000 a month? ====
+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.
+==== How is my monthly pension calculated? ====
+The formula is pensionable wages × pensionable service ÷ 70. For example, ₹15,000 wages over 30 years of service gives about ₹6,429 a month.
+==== Which notification created EPS 2026? ====
+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.
+==== What happens to family pension? ====
+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.
+==== How can RTI help if EPFO delays my claim? ====
+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.
+===== Sources =====
+  * The Gazette of India, Notification G.S.R. 527(E) dated 29 June 2026, "Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026", Ministry of Labour and Employment.
+  * Code on Social Security, 2020, the law under which the scheme is made.
+  * Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO): [[https://www.epfindia.gov.in/|epfindia.gov.in]]
+  * Analysis: [[https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2026/07/05/employees-pension-scheme-2026-key-changes/|SCC Online, Employees' Pension Scheme 2026 key changes]]
+===== Related guides =====
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/epf-scheme-2026-new-withdrawal-rules-explained|EPF Scheme 2026: new withdrawal rules explained]]
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/eps-95-minimum-pension-application-process|EPS-95 minimum pension: how to apply]]
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/eps-higher-pension-application-stuck-appeal-india|EPS higher pension application stuck? How to appeal]]
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/new-labour-codes-2026-india-employee-rights-gratuity-wages|New labour codes 2026: your rights on gratuity and wages]]
+  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/book|The RTI Playbook]]
+{{tag>epf epfo pf pension employees scheme replaces eps}}