Important News for Employees: If Your First Job Salary Exceeds ₹15,000, You Will Not Be Eligible for EPS..
If you are an EPFO member, there is important news for you. According to the rules, if your salary at the time of your first job exceeded ₹15,000, you are not eligible for the EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme). However, if EPS contributions are being deducted from your salary despite this, there is a solution. To resolve this, you should first contact your employer. If the issue is not resolved at that level, you can file a grievance on the EPFiGMC portal.
**What is EPS?**
The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) is a retirement plan that provides pension benefits to eligible members of the EPF. However, many employees are unaware that their salary at the time of their very first job determines whether or not they are eligible for the EPS.
**EPFO Rules**
According to EPFO regulations, employees whose salary—specifically Basic Pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA)—exceeded ₹15,000 at the time of their first job are generally ineligible to become members of the EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme). Such employees may contribute to their EPF account, but they do not receive pension benefits under the EPS. This rule is particularly significant for private sector employees, as it directly impacts their retirement planning. Consequently, employees should periodically check the status of their EPF and EPS accounts; should they encounter any discrepancies or issues, they should contact their employer or the nearest EPFO office.
**Important Rule Regarding PF**
According to the EPFO, if an employee's salary exceeds ₹15,000, joining the PF scheme is not mandatory for them. This means that employees starting a new job have the option to opt out of the PF scheme if they so choose. However, if an employee is already an existing member of the EPF, their PF account will continue to remain active in their new job, even if their salary subsequently exceeds the ₹15,000 threshold.