EPFO: Latest Updates on EPFO Pension Scheme and How to Check Pension Status

The Supreme Court's ruling on higher pensions last month prompted the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to delay issuing any guidelines, so the All-India EPF Staff Federation wrote to the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) to request clarification on a number of issues, including the formula used to calculate pensions and the options available to subscribers who retired after September 2014.

Krupakaran, the secretary general of the federation, complained to CPFC Neelam Shami Rao that the field offices were having trouble responding to member and pensioner inquiries and that "the Pension Division of Head Office is yet to issue any direction/guidelines so as to deal with the higher pension cases in line with the SC order." The federation has also requested more workers since it is expected that once the SC order is put into effect, the burden at each office will increase "manifold."

Pensioners of the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) are given a 12-digit Pension Payment Order (PPO) number when they retire. Every Employee Provident Fund (EPF) subscriber and pensioner have a unique PPO code that serves as a reference for communications sent to the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).

On the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) website, EPS subscribers can check the status of their pension by entering their 12-digit PPO number.

What is the Pension Payment Order (PPO)?

As stated by the CPAO, "In each PPO, the first five digits represent the code number of the PPO Issuing Authority, the following two digits represent the year of issue, the following four digits represent the PPO's sequential number, and the last digit serves as a computer check digit.

For instance, a PPO with the number 709650601302 denotes that it was issued by AG Madhya Pradesh in the year 2006, that it is the 130th PPO that the authority has issued and that it has been assigned computer code 2.

On the EPFO portal, a PPO number can be used to file complaints and get payment information. A 12-digit PPO number is required when you apply for a pension or submit an annual life certificate. In actuality, a PPO number is required in order to move a PF account between bank branches.

How to Check the Pension Status on EPFO Portal?

Visit the official EPFO website by going to www.epfindia.gov.in

On the EPFO homepage, select "Online Services" and then "Pensioners' Portal."

There will be a new page called "Welcome to Pensioners' Portal"

On the left side, select the 'Know Your Pension Status' option.

Under the "Issued Office" menu, select the location of your office.

After entering your Office ID and PPO No., select "get status" from the dropdown.

How to Know Your PPO Number?

Using either the bank account number or the PF number, any EPF pensioner can get the PPO number.

Click "Know your PPO No." on the "Welcome to Pensioners' Portal" page to find it.

Send the member ID or the bank account number (PF number)

When the submission is successful, a PPO number will show up on the screen.

From the age of 58 up until their death, employees are entitled to a monthly pension under the EPS. The pension amount is determined by a formula, with the pensionable wage being the average of the worker's basic pay and dearness allowance for the final 60 months of employment.