The prospect of an EPFO pension increase in 2025 is still an open question, which is why the matter attracts the attention of retired employees and workers who are close to retirement. Under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95), members who have served the requisite period under EPFO are entitled to monthly pension benefits. But the pensioners, due to the rising inflation as well as the increasing medical expenses, maintain that the amount of pension presently being disbursed is not even enough to cover their basic living costs.
Though there were high hopes for such a notification, no official announcement regarding the pension increase has been made till now, which has made the beneficiaries anxious regarding the future changes.
Current Minimum EPS-95 Pension Status
The current minimum pension under EPS-95 is still a paltry sum of ₹1,000 per month which was last revised in 2014. This was once considered a meager support, but inflation has made this amount very nominal over the years. A majority of the retirees are living on this pension alone, thus, the absence of a revision becomes a big financial issue for them.
The groups of pensioners have constantly reiterated their point that a sum of ₹1,000 per month is not enough even for the most basic needs such as food, rent, electricity, and medical care.
Demand For Higher Pension And DA Benefits
Retired persons’ bodies and trade unions have been persistent in their demands for raising the least pension by submitting proposals from ₹2,500 to ₹7,500 monthly. In addition to the proposed hike, they also suggested the implementation of Dearness Allowance (DA) to secure the future of pensioners from loss due to inflation.
These appeals have been reinforced by large-scale representations and demonstrations, pointing out the urgency of the matter and asserting the workers’ right to a decent post-retirement living condition who have served and contributed their entire working life.
Government’s Stand On Pension Revision
The government has taken note of the issues brought up by EPS pensioners but on the other hand, has also stated that these issues are coupled with the problems of financial sustainability which pose challenges in the revision of pension amounts. Moreover, any increment in pension will necessitate an in-depth actuarial study along with the allocation of additional funds to guarantee the long-term stability of the pension fund.
In the recent responses from the parliament, the officials made it clear that there is no approved proposal to raise the minimum pension to ₹7,500, and the current structure remains unchanged.
What EPS Pensioners Can Expect In 2025
At this moment, EPS-95 beneficiaries will be receiving their pensions according to the existing rules. The government announcement or EPFO notification will determine when the pension hike will come into effect. Pensioners are advised that they can trust only verifiable sources like EPFO circulars, Labour Ministry updates and announcements of the Union Budget.
Even though the expectation of a pension increase is still high, the timeline and the final amount will be determined by policy decisions and financial evaluations.
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