EPS 95 MINIMUM PENSION HIKE | WHEN WILL?

Описание: Parliamentary panel suggests a raise to EPF pension, says ₹1,000 inadequate to meet basic needs

A Parliamentary panel on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) recommended an urgent, comprehensive review of the ₹1,000 minimum monthly pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, to raise it to a more realistic and dignified level.

This assumes significance in view of pensioners' demand to raise the pension to ₹7,500 or a dignified amount per month, as ₹1,000 is not sufficient to make both ends meet.

Pensioners under the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) run by the retirement fund body EPFO had also staged a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar from March 9, for increasing the minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500 or a dignified amount.

During the course of evidence, the committee observed that numerous representations have been received from pensioners seeking an upward revision of the minimum pension, particularly considering the financial hardships faced by elderly and economically vulnerable beneficiaries.

However, the Committee stated that it is of the considered view that the existing minimum pension amount is inadequate to meet even the basic needs of pensioners, particularly in the present economic scenario marked by inflation and rising health care and living expenses.

The Committee further recommended that the Ministry explore the possibility of increasing budgetary support to the Scheme, so as to ensure that pensioners receive a reasonable minimum pensioncommensurate with present-day living costs, thereby providing greater social security and financial stability to lakhs of retired workers covered under the Scheme.

Many EPS 95 pensioners experts criticize that every time there are elections to be held in the country the Government is announcing committee formation for finding a suitable solution. The committee has been submitting suitable solutions. But, the Government is keeping a deaf ear for genuine suggestions. What is your opinion on this?

Yes, it is true. The Government is keeping a deaf ear for genuine suggestions.