EPFO Extends Deadline to Process Pending Higher Pension Applications, Check New Date

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for employers to process and upload pending applications related to higher pension validation under the pension scheme. Employers now have until January 31, 2025, to address approximately 3.1 lakh pending applications for the validation of options or joint options. Additionally, EPFO has set a deadline of January 15, 2025, for employers to respond to requests for additional information or clarifications in over 4.66 lakh reviewed cases.

Reason for Extension

Despite multiple extensions, a significant backlog remains. EPFO noted in its statement, “In spite of so many extensions, it has been observed that more than 3.1 lakh applications for validation of options or joint options are still pending with employers.” In light of persistent delays and requests from employers and associations, EPFO has granted this final extension to ensure compliance.

Timeline of Submission Process

The initiative to validate pension options on higher wages began with the launch of an online portal on February 26, 2023, following a Supreme Court judgment on November 4, 2022. The initial application deadline was May 3, 2023, but it was extended multiple times—first to June 26, 2023, and then for another 15 days until July 11, 2023, to address filing issues. By the final July deadline, EPFO had received 17.49 lakh applications from pensioners and members.

Since then, several deadlines have been set for employers to upload wage details, with the most recent being May 31, 2024. However, the backlog necessitated another extension.

EPFO has emphasized that this is the final opportunity for employers to comply. Employers must process pending applications and submit clarifications by the stipulated deadlines to ensure smooth processing of pension validations, benefitting millions of pensioners and members.