The year 2025 brought sweeping reforms in the EPS-95 and consequently ensured enhanced financial security and clarity for millions of retired workers all over India. The new pension regulations were welcomed by the pensioners under EPS-95, who had long been clamoring for revision of their benefits to fairer proportions, increased pension amounts, and inclusion of DA in their pension.
Major Changes In EPS-95 Pension Rules In 2025
1. Increase in Minimum Monthly Pension:
- Another key development is the increase in minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500. Pensioners who used to receive this meager amount of ₹1,000 for many long years now have a dignified amount to cherish in their post-retirement life.
2. Dearness Allowance Introduced:
- For the very first time, Dearness Allowance will be paid to the pensioners under EPS-95, in line with the rates applicable to Central Government employees. The DA is revised upwards/downwards every six months, keeping inflation into consideration, and hence it safeguards pensioners’ income against inflation.
3. Option for Higher Pension Through Wage Recalculation
- Pensioners who made payments above the wage ceiling (₹15,000) into the Employees’ Provident Fund can now exercise to reap larger pension by the adjustment of pensionable salary in their own xerox copies. This option became valid by virtue of a Supreme Court verdict and subsequent circulars from the EPFO.
4. Online Claim Process Simplified
- The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has revamped its online claims portal aiming to make it simpler for pensioners to apply for revised pension benefits. These days, it supports Aadhaar-based verification as well as real-time claim status tracking.
5. Faster Grievance Redressal
- A special EPS-95 Helpline and Pensioner Facilitation Center has been opened up to help retirees with problems arising from document issues, eligibility checks, and delays in claim processing. The intention is to have all complaints resolved within 30 days.
Who Is Eligible?
- Retired employees who were members of EPS-95
- Must have completed 10 years of eligible service
- EPF contribution history should be available and updated with UAN
- Pensioners opting for higher pension must have paid contributions on actual wages, not capped wages