New Delhi, Dec 18, 2024 – The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has extended the deadline for employers to upload wage details and other necessary information for more than 3.1 lakh pending applications concerning pension on higher wages. The new deadline has been set for January 31, 2025.
This move comes after several requests from employers and employer associations seeking additional time to upload the required information, following a Supreme Court order from November 4, 2022. EPFO had initially provided an online platform for eligible pensioners or members to submit applications for the validation of options for pension on higher wages. The platform was launched on February 26, 2023, with an original deadline of May 3, 2023.
Due to representations from employees, the deadline was extended multiple times:
June 26, 2023: A four-month window was provided for eligible members.
July 11, 2023: A final 15-day extension was given to address any remaining difficulties.
By July 11, 2023, EPFO had received 17.49 lakh applications. However, despite further extensions until September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023, more than 3.1 lakh applications still remain pending.
In response to continued representations from employers, EPFO has granted a final extension for employers to upload the required details by January 31, 2025. Additionally, employers are asked to submit responses or updates on over 4.66 lakh cases where further information or clarification is needed from EPFO, with a new deadline of January 15, 2025.
This extension is intended to ensure that all pending pension applications are processed and validated in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, benefiting those eligible for higher pension payouts.
