The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the last date for uploading salary details to January 31, 2025, giving relief in the pending application process for higher pension. This decision will provide relief to lakhs of employers and employees who were facing delays in completing the process.

3.1 lakh applications are still pending

EPFO informed that more than 3.1 lakh applications are still pending with the employers. Due to this, this step has been taken so that employers and employees can upload the required salary details.

Clear instructions for employers

The EPFO ​​has requested employers to respond or update information in 4.66 lakh cases in which clarifications have been sought by January 15, 2025.

A look at the previous expansion

In the last one year, EPFO ​​has given relief to employers by extending the deadline several times.

• First chance: Deadline extended to September 30, 2023.
• Second chance: It was extended till December 31, 2023.
• Third chance: Extension till May 31, 2024.

Now this last chance has been given till January 31, 2025.

Supreme Court order and EPFO ​​facility

This facility was introduced in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court dated April 4, 2022. It is for eligible pensioners and members who wish to opt for pension on higher salary.

This online facility started on 26 February 2023, which was first limited to 3 May 2023. Later it was extended to 26 June and then to 11 July 2023.

Greater employee participation

As of July 11, 2023, 17.49 lakh applications were received by the EPFO. Despite this, a large number of application processes remained pending with the employers.

Ruling on appeals by employers and unions

EPFO said that many requests were received from employer associations and pensioners, demanding extension of the deadline. Keeping this in mind, this last opportunity has been provided.

The way forward

It is clear that EPFO ​​is now providing all possible assistance to finalise this process. Employers and employees should take advantage of this opportunity to update their details as soon as possible.