EPFO Pension: Major news for EPFO ​​pensioners. On Tuesday, a parliamentary committee suggested an urgent and thorough review of the minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, managed by the EPFO. The committee emphasized the need to raise this amount to a more respectable level.

This recommendation arrives as pensioners are advocating for an increase to Rs 7,500 per month, arguing that surviving on Rs 1,000 is quite challenging. Pensioners enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95), overseen by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), also staged a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar starting March 9, calling for the minimum monthly pension to be raised to Rs 7,500.

No change for many years

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development, in its 15th report regarding the ‘Demands for Grants (2026-27)’ from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, pointed out that despite increasing inflation, the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme has remained stagnant at Rs 1,000 per month for an extended period.

While reviewing the evidence, the Committee discovered that numerous requests have been made by pensioners, particularly the elderly and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, urging for an increase in the minimum pension due to the financial hardships they are experiencing.

The Committee also acknowledged the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s report indicating that the Government of India is already providing financial assistance for the scheme. This includes a contribution of 1.16 percent from currently employed members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization and budgetary support to guarantee a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month. Nevertheless, the Committee believes that the existing minimum pension amount is inadequate to cover even the basic necessities of pensioners, especially considering inflation and the rising costs of healthcare and living.

Therefore, the Committee recommends that the Ministry undertake an immediate and comprehensive review of the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, with a view to increasing it to a more realistic and respectable level in a timely manner. The Committee also recommends that the Ministry explore the possibility of increasing budgetary support for the scheme, so that pensioners receive a reasonable minimum pension commensurate with the current cost of living and provide greater social security and financial stability to the millions of retired workers covered under the scheme.

While appreciating and welcoming the implementation of the Labor Codes, the Committee also recommends the establishment of a permanent Coordination and Dialogue Board with representatives from the Center and the States on a priority basis.