Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners?

Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners?

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO: 23
ANSWERED ON: 24.06.2019

EPF Pension

N.K. Premachandran
Will the Minister of

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-
(a)whether the Government has received report from the Committee appointed for study of the issues of EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the recommendations of the said Committee;
(c)whether the Government has initiated action for implementation of the recommendations of the said Committee and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof; and
(e)whether the Government also proposes to stop the realisation of amount from the pension on account of commutation of pension after realising the commuted amount and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

---

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 23 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019 BY
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN REGARDING EPF PENSION.

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Committee appointed for Evaluation and Review of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, headed by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment has submitted the report on 21st December, 2018. The report inter-alia has given observations/ recommendations on the following issues:

• Increase of Minimum Monthly Member Pension
• Period over which the Average Pensionable Salary is calculated
• Restoration of commuted value of pension
• Re-introduction of the provision for commutation of pension
• Restoration of the provision of Return of Capital
• Linking the monthly pension with cost of living index
• Issues of payment of pension on higher/actual wages to employees of exempted establishments.

As far as pension on higher wages is concerned, the issue is sub-judice.

(c): The consultation process on the recommendations/observations on the Committee’s report has been initiated with Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Central Board of Trustees (CBT). CBT is a tripartite body representing trade unions, employers besides representatives of Central and State Governments.

(d): The decision on increase of minimum pension for EPF is dependent on the outcome of the consultation process and has impact on Budgetary resources of the Government as the Committee has recommended that increase in pension has to come from the Budgetary resources.

(e): No decision has been taken to restore the commuted value of pension, as it has implications on sustainability of the funds under Employees’ Pension Scheme, maintained by EPFO.

Source: LOK SABHA

Employees's Pension Scheme: Pension to Retired Employees Covered Under PF Scheme

Employees's Pension Scheme: Pension to Retired Employees Covered Under PF Scheme

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Pension to Retired Employees Covered Under PF Scheme

The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 came into effect from 16th November, 1995 replacing the erstwhile Employees Family Pension Scheme, 1971, which inter-alia provides superannuation/retirement and family pension.

In order to secure a minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month under Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 to the member pensioners, the present Government contribution to EPS, 1995 is required to be raised from the existing 1.16% to 1.79% of wages thereby increasing the Government’s present contribution from approximate Rs.990 crore per annum to Rs.1533 crore per annum in the first year. An analysis of the trend in the contribution made by the Central Government suggests that the contribution of the Central Government has been increasing at an average of 10-15% per annum over the last five years.

This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri Kodikunnil Suresh in the Lok Sabha today in reply to a written question.