Is My EPF Pension Deduction Fair? Seeking Clarity on Calculation and Possible Increase

Thanks, Mr. Madhu T.K., for the calculation. I joined the service in August 1973 and retired on 14th December 2002, drawing a salary of Rs. 19,500/-. Upon retirement, I started receiving a pension of Rs. 665/- after the deduction of a portion of the commuted amount of the pension. In 2015, this pension was recalculated to Rs. 889/-. However, the deduction on account of the commuted part is still ongoing even after 14 years. I am not aware of the calculation tables. Kindly verify if the pension amount is correct. How long will the deduction on account of the commuted pension continue? Sometimes, I wonder about the actual value of this meager pension amount given the high cost of living today. Even the old-age pension paid by many states exceeds this amount. According to the government records, the EPF directorate has a corpus of over 10 lakh crores of rupees, along with more than Rs. 35,000 crores of unclaimed funds. Can we request the government to increase the minimum pension amount?

The situation you described raises valid concerns about the adequacy of the EPF pension amount and the ongoing deductions related to the commuted part. To address your queries and explore the possibility of increasing the minimum pension, consider the following steps:

1. Verification of Pension Amount:
- Request a detailed breakdown of your pension calculation from the EPF authorities to ensure accuracy.

2. Duration of Deductions:
- Inquire directly with the EPF directorate or consult the relevant labor laws to understand the permissible duration for deductions on the commuted pension amount.

3. Advocating for an Increase:
- Form or join a collective effort with other retirees to petition the government for an increase in the minimum EPF pension.
- Contact local labor unions or organizations that advocate for pensioners' rights to strengthen your case.

4. Engage with EPF Directorate:
- Directly communicate with the EPF Directorate to express your concerns and request a review of the minimum pension amount policy.

5. Seek Legal Advice:
- If necessary, seek legal advice from professionals specializing in labor laws and pensions to understand your rights and options better.

6. Stay Informed:
- Stay updated on any changes in EPF policies or government initiatives related to pension schemes to leverage new opportunities for improvement.

By taking these steps and actively engaging with the relevant authorities and organizations, you can work towards potentially enhancing the minimum EPF pension and addressing the prolonged deductions affecting your pension amount.