EPFO Settles 83.1 Million Claims in FY26; Considering Minimum Pension Hike Under EPS-95

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) settled 83.1 million claims in 2025-26, up 38.3% from 60.1 million in the previous year, according to labour ministry data. Of the total, 55.1 million were advance or partial withdrawals. 

Auto Processing Gains Pace in FY26 

Processing timelines showed improvement during the year. Around 98.7% of claims were settled within 20 days. For advance claims, 71.1% were processed through auto mode within 3 days, compared with 59.19% in 2024-25. 

In April 2026, EPFO settled 6.103 million claims. Nearly 74% of advance claims during the month were handled automatically, indicating a continued shift towards system-driven processing. 

Proposal to Revise EPS-95 Pension 

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is examining a proposal to increase the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95). The current minimum pension is ₹1,000 per month. 

The Centre contributes over ₹950 crore annually to support this minimum payout. Any revision would increase the fiscal outgo, given the scale of beneficiaries under the scheme. 

Labour unions and pensioners’ groups have sought a higher minimum pension of ₹7,500, stating that the current amount does not cover basic expenses. A parliamentary committee has also recommended a revision, and discussions are ongoing. 

Aadhaar-Based Portal for Old Accounts 

EPFO is preparing to introduce an Aadhaar-linked platform to help members trace and activate inoperative accounts. The portal, named E-PRAAPTI, will allow users to identify old accounts and link them with their Universal Account Number. 

The system will use Aadhaar-based authentication to enable access, profile updates and account activation. In its initial phase, the platform will operate using member ID details. 

The ministry said the portal is expected to reduce paperwork and manual intervention. Over time, it may be expanded to include users who do not have access to their earlier account details. 

Read More: EPFO to Roll Out Aadhaar Based E-PRAAPTI Portal to Access Dormant PF Accounts! 

Conclusion 

The increase in claim settlements and the proposed pension revision point to ongoing changes in EPFO operations and policy, with further decisions on pension levels awaited. 

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