EPS-95 Pension Arrears Released: EPFO Provides Relief to Retirees

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has initiated the release of long-pending pension arrears under the EPS-95 scheme in 2025. Commencing in July, the payments are being issued in multiple phases to settle outstanding dues and implement revised pension amounts for eligible retirees. This move offers significant relief to lakhs of pensioners awaiting updated pension entitlements.

Phased Disbursement of Pension Arrears

• July 2025: Around ₹2,819 crore was disbursed, covering both arrears and regular monthly pensions.
• August 2025: Pensioners received nearly ₹3,050 crore.
• September 2025: Disbursements increased to approximately ₹4,010 crore, reflecting accelerated processing of pending cases.

The gradual increase in payouts demonstrates the steady clearance of arrears and revised pensions month by month.

Who Is Benefiting?

• Pensioners under the EPS-95 scheme, particularly those who were receiving minimum pensions earlier.
• Retirees now qualify for higher pensions following Supreme Court directives and revised contribution norms.
• Members with updated Aadhaar, KYC, and UAN details, as these are mandatory for disbursing payments.
• EPFO has streamlined Form 13 (account transfers) and Form 19 (final settlement) processes to minimize backlogs and expedite claims.

Digital Enhancements Facilitating Faster Payments

• Implementation of Aadhaar Face Authentication Technology (FAT) for UAN creation and verification.
• Improved Aadhaar-UAN linking via the member portal to reduce identification mismatches.
• Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) for consolidated monthly pension processing.
• Updated compliance measures to ensure uniform handling of arrears across all states.

Guidelines for Pensioners

• Frequently monitor PPO status and payment records on the EPFO portal.
• Keep Aadhaar, bank account, mobile number, and KYC details accurate and up to date.
• Reach out to local EPFO offices if revised pensions or arrears are not reflected.
• Maintain proper documentation of all communications related to pension payments and arrears.

Conclusion

The phased payment of EPS-95 pension arrears from July to September 2025 marks a crucial step in addressing long-standing pending adjustments. With the introduction of CPPS and advanced digital verification measures, EPFO is poised to complete the full disbursement of revised pensions efficiently, reinforcing the robustness of India’s pension delivery framework.