New Delhi: Retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) last week issued a new circular detailing the internal procedures to be followed when an employee submits a request for higher pension.
Releasing its circular with the subject ‘Application for verification of option/combined options – verification of information and salary details submitted by employee and employer’, the retirement fund body said that an online facility has been deployed and 03.05.2023 Available up to Receipt of two things through employers: a) Application forms for verification of joint options from employees who retired prior to 01.09.2014 and b) Joint option forms from employees who were members as on 01.09.2014.
EPFO said that the applications/combined options will be scrutinized by the field.
“In case the requirements are met, the salary details submitted by the employers will be verified with the data available with the field offices. In cases where the FO details and the employer’s details match, the amount due will be calculated and an order will be passed.” Through APFC/RPFC-II/RPFC-I for depositing/transferring dues. In cases where there is no match, the same will be reported by APFC/RPFC-II to the employer and the employee/pensioner. They will be given one. One month’s time to complete the information,” EPFO said.
However, if the application form or the combined option which is submitted by the employee is not approved by the employer, then before any rejection, the employer shall be given an opportunity to provide any additional proof or evidence or to rectify any mistake/errors Will go by employees/pensioners). EPFO said that such an opportunity would be for a period of one month and the employees/pensioners would be informed.
“In cases where the information furnished is not complete or appears to be incorrect or any information in the Application/Combined Option Form requires correction request or is not found eligible, APFC/RPFC-II within one month. If complete information is received, the case will be further processed as in 3 above. However, if, within one month, complete information is not received, the APFC/RPFC- II/RPFC-I will pass the order on the basis of merit, the EPFO circular stated.
The retirement fund body further said that any grievance can be lodged by the applicant on EPFIGMS after submission of his request form and payment of due contribution, if any.
“Registration of such grievance shall be under the specified category of higher pension in terms of the judgment of the Supreme Court dated 04.11.2022. All such grievances shall be addressed and disposed of at the level of the Designated Officer. The grievances shall be monitored by the Officer- Charge of Regional Office and Circle Office,” it added.