EPFO pauses Unified Pension Scheme adoption for its employees; here’s why

Ahead of the September 30 deadline to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has temporarily put a hold on an earlier order allowing employees of its Central Board to opt for the assured pension scheme, saying that the matter is still under consideration.

“It is to inform that the matter regarding implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for the employees of the Central Board is still under consideration,” EPFO said in a circular issued on Monday, September 22.

In March 2025, the EPFO issued a circular saying that the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) had approved the adoption of UPS for its employees during its 112th meeting held in February.

The order allowed all eligible employees of EPFO’s Central Board to opt for UPS within three months from April 1, 2025. It had also asked all offices to ensure that eligible employees get the option within the prescribed time limit. “The option once exercised shall be final and irrevocable,” the EPFO had said in the order dated March 28, 2025.

“Accordingly, the Circular No. (E-981962)HRD-II/60/2025/UPS-Adoption/1324 dated 28th March 2025 may be treated as kept in abeyance until further orders,” the EPFO said on September 22.

What is UPS?

UPS offers a minimum assured pension to central government employees, and provides benefits like:

• Assured monthly pension equal to 50% of the average basic salary drawn in the last 12 months of service for a qualifying service of 25 years. The assured monthly pension is proportionate for lesser service periods up to a minimum of 10 years.

• Assured family pension of 60% of the employee’s pension immediately before his/her death.

• An assured minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month on superannuation after a service period of a minimum of 10 years.

• Minimum guaranteed payout without DR, covering inflation and longevity risks.

The Ministry of Finance notified the UPS scheme in January 2025, and it was implemented on April 1, 2025. New joinees in the central government on or after April 1, 2025, and even existing employees under NPS, can opt for UPS.

The last date for eligible employees and past retirees to opt for UPS is September 30, 2025.

Other EPFO updates

Recently, the EPFO introduced a new facility called Passbook Lite, which allows members to conveniently access their passbook-related summarised view of the contributions, withdrawals and balance on EPFO’s member portal.

Currently, subscribers need to log in separately to the passbook portal to check their PF contributions and transactions regarding advances or withdrawals.

The existing passbook portal would continue to be available for members who want a detailed view of their passbooks.

The EPFO has also made transfers easy by simplifying access to Transfer Certificates (Annexure K). Members will now be able to download their certificates directly in PDF format from the member portal.

Earlier, members had to request access if they needed it. This will provide many benefits to members, including the ability to track the status of transfer applications online and easy verification of PF transfers.