EPFO Pension ₹7,500 Demand: Major Update for EPS-95 Pensioners

A significant development has emerged regarding the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-1995). Thousands of pensioners across India are once again raising their demand to increase the minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500 along with dearness allowance (DA).

To press their demands, members of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee have begun a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, starting March 9 and continuing until March 11, 2026. The demonstration is being held during the second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session, with pensioners hoping to draw attention from policymakers and government officials.

The protest aims to highlight the financial difficulties faced by retired workers who currently receive very small pension amounts under the EPS scheme.

Why Pensioners Are Demanding a Pension Hike

Under the existing rules of the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-1995), the minimum pension is ₹1,000 per month. Pensioners say that this amount is far too low to meet basic living expenses in today’s economic conditions.

Retirees are demanding that the government increase the minimum pension to:

• ₹7,500 per month
• Additional Dearness Allowance (DA) linked to inflation

The agitation is being led by Commander Ashok Raut, National President of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee. The organization has been raising this issue for several years, arguing that the current pension amount is insufficient for elderly citizens.

Pensioners Highlight Long-Standing Concerns

Members of the agitation committee say that millions of employees contributed to EPFO during their working years, often for 30 to 35 years of service.

These workers came from a wide range of sectors, including:

• Public sector undertakings
• Private companies
• Cooperative institutions
• Textile mills
• Media organizations

Despite decades of contributions, many pensioners reportedly receive an average monthly pension of around ₹1,171.

According to pensioners, such a small amount is not enough to cover daily necessities like:

• Food and groceries
• Medical expenses
• Medicines and healthcare
• Utility bills

As a result, they believe a substantial revision in the pension structure is urgently required.

Nationwide Participation Expected in Protest

The protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is expected to attract retired workers from multiple states across India. Pensioners’ associations have called on members nationwide to participate in the demonstration.

Some Members of Parliament from different political parties are also expected to show support for the pensioners’ demands.

Apart from increasing the minimum pension, the protestors have raised several other demands.

Key Demands Raised by EPS Pensioners

The pensioners’ group has placed multiple demands before the government, including:

• Increasing the minimum EPS pension to ₹7,500 per month
• Providing Dearness Allowance (DA) for pensioners
• Ensuring free medical treatment for pensioners and their spouses
• Implementing benefits related to the Supreme Court judgment of November 4, 2022 on higher pension eligibility
• Providing a ₹5,000 monthly pension to workers who were excluded from the EPS-95 scheme

These demands aim to improve the financial security of retired workers.

Who Is Eligible for EPS Pension?

Under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, members must meet certain eligibility criteria to receive pension benefits.

Key requirements include:

• A minimum of 10 years of pensionable service
• Retirement age of 58 years to receive full pension

However, members also have the option to start receiving a reduced pension from the age of 50.

Those who delay their pension beyond the age of 58 may receive higher monthly pension benefits.

How EPFO Calculates Pension

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) calculates pension using a specific formula.

Pension Calculation Formula

Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70

Important Factors in Calculation

Pensionable Salary:
This is calculated as the average basic salary plus dearness allowance of the last 60 months of employment. For EPS calculations, the salary is capped at ₹15,000 per month.

Pensionable Service:
This refers to the total number of years an employee contributed to the pension scheme. The maximum service period considered for calculation is 35 years.

This formula determines the final pension amount based on the employee’s earnings and years of service.

Why the Pension Issue Matters

The demand to increase the minimum EPS pension has been raised repeatedly over the past several years. Pensioners argue that the ₹1,000 monthly pension introduced in 2014 has not kept pace with inflation.

With rising healthcare costs, living expenses, and inflation, many retirees feel that the current pension system needs urgent reform.

Through their protest in New Delhi, pensioners hope to bring national attention to the financial challenges faced by millions of retired workers.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is based on publicly available reports and updates regarding EPFO and the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-1995). Pension policies and government decisions may change over time. Readers are advised to check official EPFO notifications or government announcements for the most accurate and updated information.