EPF Pension Calculation: How Much Monthly Pension Will You Get After 12 and 20 Years of Service?
To benefit employees, EPFO keeps making changes from time to time. Over the past few months, EPFO has introduced several changes that have made PF withdrawal easier for employees. Meanwhile, the government is considering increasing the minimum pension under EPS-95 from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500 per month.
How Much Goes Into EPF and EPS?
EPF members contribute 12 percent of their basic salary to the Provident Fund, and the employer contributes the same amount. Out of the employer's share, 8.33 percent is deposited into the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS), while 3.67 percent goes into the EPF scheme.
- How Much Goes Into EPF and EPS?
- The Demand to Hike EPS-95 Pension
- What Is the EPS Pension Formula?
- Key Facts — EPS-95 Pension
- How Much Will Your Monthly Pension Be?
- FAQ — EPF Pension Calculation
- Q1: What is the minimum number of years of service required to get a pension under EPS-95?
- Q2: When will the ₹7,500 minimum pension under EPS-95 come into effect?
- Q3: Will I get a higher pension if my basic salary is more than ₹15,000?
- Q4: What is the difference between EPF and EPS?
- Q5: How is pensionable service calculated, and does a job gap affect it?
The Demand to Hike EPS-95 Pension
Before Budget 2025, a delegation of retired employees under EPS-95 met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and pushed their long-standing demand. They demanded a minimum pension of ₹7,500 per month along with Dearness Allowance (DA).
The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee shared that the Finance Minister told them the demand would be considered. Let us understand how much pension you will receive under the current EPFO formula.
What Is the EPS Pension Formula?
The monthly pension amount you receive depends on your pensionable salary and your service period. The formula takes into account the average basic salary and the average dearness allowance over 12 months.
However, there is one more rule you must know. If your contribution falls within the current wage ceiling of ₹15,000, then even if an employee's basic pay and dearness allowance are higher, the pension will be calculated only on ₹15,000.
Key Facts — EPS-95 Pension
- The current minimum pension under EPS-95 is ₹1,000 per month.
- The government is considering raising it to ₹7,500 per month.
- Out of the employer's 12% contribution, 8.33% goes into the EPS account.
- Pension is calculated on a maximum wage ceiling of ₹15,000, regardless of actual salary.
- A minimum of 10 years of service is required to be eligible for EPS pension.
- Pension formula: (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70
How Much Will Your Monthly Pension Be?
Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service ÷ 70 = (15,000 × 12) ÷ 70 = approximately ₹2,571 per month. Similarly, for 20 years of service, this amount works out to ₹4,285 per month. On this same basis, you can calculate the pension for any other number of years as well.
If the government approves the proposal to raise the minimum pension under EPS-95 to ₹7,500, it will bring significant financial relief to millions of retired employees across the country.
FAQ — EPF Pension Calculation
Q1: What is the minimum number of years of service required to get a pension under EPS-95?
A: Under EPS-95, an employee must complete a minimum of 10 years of continuous service to be eligible for a monthly pension. If the service period is less than 10 years, the employee is not entitled to a pension but can withdraw the amount accumulated in the EPS account. The pension starts at the age of 58 upon retirement. An early pension option is available from age 50, but the monthly amount will be lower due to the early withdrawal.
Q2: When will the ₹7,500 minimum pension under EPS-95 come into effect?
A: The government has not yet made an official announcement regarding raising the minimum EPS-95 pension to ₹7,500 per month. The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who gave an assurance that the demand would be considered. As of now, the minimum pension remains ₹1,000 per month. Any official notification will be published on the EPFO website, so employees are advised to check regularly for updates.
Q3: Will I get a higher pension if my basic salary is more than ₹15,000?
A: No. Under current rules, the pension calculation under EPS is capped at a maximum wage ceiling of ₹15,000. This means even if an employee's basic salary is ₹30,000 or ₹50,000, the pension will still be calculated only on ₹15,000. However, employees who contributed to EPS on a higher salary before 2014 may be subject to different rules following the Supreme Court order on higher pension, and they should verify their eligibility separately with EPFO.
Q4: What is the difference between EPF and EPS?
A: EPF, or Employee Provident Fund, is a savings account where both the employee and employer contribute 12% each, and the employee receives a lump sum on retirement. EPS, or Employee Pension Scheme, is a pension plan where 8.33% of the employer's 12% contribution is deposited, and the employee receives a fixed monthly pension after retirement. Both are managed by EPFO, but they serve different purposes — EPF is for long-term savings and EPS is for post-retirement income security.
Q5: How is pensionable service calculated, and does a job gap affect it?
A: Pensionable service is the total number of years you have contributed to EPS. If you have changed jobs but transferred your EPS account, your previous service period is added to the current one. A service period of more than 6 months at any employer is rounded up to a full year. For example, if you worked for 5 years and 8 months, it will be counted as 6 years of pensionable service. This is why transferring your EPS account when switching jobs is important — failing to do so can result in loss of accumulated service years.