The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced the Employee Pension Scheme, or EPS, in 1995. It is a social security scheme that aims to help employees enjoy a secure retirement.
However, before you and your employer enroll in this scheme, it is crucial to know how EPS calculation works and its features. So, keep reading to gather an overview of the Employee Pension Scheme.
EPS makes provisions for those employees who have provided 10 years of service to receive a pension after the age of 58. Existing members of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and new members are welcome to join this scheme.
In September 2014, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation made changes to the existing Employee Pension Scheme. Under EPS, the employer and employee contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary as well as the Dearness Allowance (DA) towards EPF.
However, while an employee’s entire share goes towards EPF, 8.33% of an employer’s share contributes towards EPS. The remaining 3.67% goes to EPF. Thus, the total contribution is 8.33% for EPS and 15.67% for EPF.
This scheme is backed by the Government of India and thus, guarantees a pension amount after a beneficiary reaches the age of 58.
If you want to enjoy the benefits under Employee Pension Scheme, you’ll have to meet the following eligibility requirements:
To understand how EPS works and what it offers, take a look at its following features:
Before enrolling in any scheme, it is rational to think about the benefits that it has to offer. So, here is a list of some salient advantages that you will be able to enjoy with EPS:
Primarily, this scheme is designed to provide a regular source of income to employees after their retirement. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then after the age of 58, you can withdraw your monthly pension by filling out Form 10D.
Furthermore, as the Government of India supports this scheme, you will receive guaranteed returns and pension.
In case an employee becomes totally or permanently disabled, he/she is entitled to receive a monthly pension. This benefit is available for employees even if they do not meet the service period requirement. The monthly pension becomes available from the date of disablement and continues for a lifetime.
If an individual is unable to complete 10 years of service before turning 58 years old, they can receive a lump sum pension amount. For this, they have to fill out form 10C. However, they will not be eligible to receive EPS amount monthly.
Under the Employee Pension Scheme, there are four types of pensions. Let’s check them out.
The widow or widower of a person who is eligible for EPS receives the pension amount till their death or remarriage. In the case of more than one widow, the eldest becomes the beneficiary. The minimum amount is Rs. 1,000 but can be more depending on the member’s pension.
In addition to the widow’s pension, the children of a deceased member also become beneficiaries of the EPS amount. However, this benefit is only available till 25 years of age, and the maximum pension amount can be 25% of the widow’s pension.
If the deceased member has no surviving widows, then the children can get up to 75% of the widow’s monthly pension. However, only two children can benefit from this provision and priority is given to the oldest.
If a member completes 10 years of service before attaining the age of 58 but after 50, he/she will get a reduced pension. The reduced rate is 4% for each year till the person reaches 58 years of age.
Also Read: Short Term Capital Gains Tax
The calculation of monthly pension can be done under two categories:
The amount of pension these individuals will receive depends on their salary bracket. Here is a table to show the breakdown of their pension amount:
Years of Service | Pension Amount for a Salary of Rs. 2,500 or less | Pension Amount for a Salary more than Rs. 2,500 |
10 years | Rs. 80 | Rs. 85 |
11 to 15 years | Rs. 95 | Rs. 105 |
15 to 20 years | Rs. 120 | Rs. 135 |
More than 20 years | Rs. 150 | Rs. 170 |
The pension amount of these individuals depend on their pensionable salary and pensionable service. You can use a simple formula to calculate your monthly pension amount.
Monthly pension amount = (Pensionable salary x pensionable service) / 70
It refers to the member’s average monthly salary in the last 60 months before exiting the scheme. As of September 2014, there is a Rs. 15,000 limit on monthly pensionable salary. However, during this calculation, we do not take into account the non-contributory days of the month. The employee receives the benefit of these non-contributory days.
For example, let’s say an employee has a monthly salary of Rs. 15,000. He/she works for 25 days in a month (instead of 30) and earns Rs. 12,500. The pensionable income will be Rs. 15,000.
Given an employer’s contribution of 8.33% of an employee’s salary to EPS, the monthly pension deposit is —
Rs. 15,000 x 8.33/100 = Rs. 1250
It refers to the number of years for which a member serves. While calculating the total pensionable service, we evaluate all the years a member works under different or same employers. Thus, before switching jobs, it is necessary to have an EPS certificate.
As per law, one needs to round off the pensionable service to the nearest year for calculation. Thus, if you serve for five years and four months, your pensionable service is five years. Note that those with 20 years of service get a bonus of two years.
So, if an individual has 15 years of service and a pensionable salary of Rs. 15,000, his/her monthly pension amount is —
(15,000 x 15) / 70 = Rs. 3,214.28 (approx.)
To avail of benefits of the Employee Pension Scheme, a member needs to fill out the following forms, if applicable to them:
Form | Applicant | Purpose |
Form 10C | Member | 1. To withdraw pension before 10 years of service.2. EPS Scheme certificate |
Form 10D | Member, nominee, widow, widower, children | 1. Pension withdrawal after attaining 50 years of age.2. To avail widow/child/orphan pension.3. To avail of disability pension. |
Life Certificate | Pensioner | 1. Members sign this form to verify that they are alive. 2. Submitted to the bank manager of the pension account bank every November. |
Non-remarriage Certificate | Widow/widower | Submitted annually by widow or widower to declare that they are not remarried. |
Also Read: Best SWP Mutual Funds To Invest In 2022
After working rigorously for years, every employee deserves to enjoy a secure and happy retirement. With multiple schemes, plans and initiatives, the Government of India does its best to ensure that citizens meet this goal.
The Employee Pension Scheme is one such initiative. However, before you enrol in this scheme, you should learn about how EPS calculation works and its eligibility.
Ans: Yes, EPS is mandatory for all the employees who earn a basic monthly salary + Dearness Allowance of up to Rs. 15,000. However, if your basic salary and DA exceed Rs.15,000, then you are not eligible for EPS.
Ans: An existing member of EPS has to choose a family member, like spouse, children, or parents, as their nominee. However, if individuals do not have a family member, they can nominate anyone as per their wish.
Ans: As per the guideline, surviving children of the deceased member get a child pension along with the surviving parent. Thus, if your mother receives a monthly widow pension, you are eligible for a pension at the rate of 25% of your mother’s EPS amount.
Ans: Unlike Employee Pension Scheme, the National Pension Scheme (NPS) is not mandatory. Even though both aim at providing secure financial retirement, they have their pros and cons. EPS offers a guaranteed pension after retirement, but NPS is market-linked. Thus, depending on your risk appetite, you can invest in either of the two.
Ans: To apply for EPS transfer while changing your job, you need to access Composite Claim Form online. By logging in to the EPF employee portal, you can access this form and get your account transferred to a new one.
Before you go…