On 29 June 2026, the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified three new following schemes under Section 15 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the EPF Scheme 1952, EPS 1995, Family Pension Scheme 1971, and EDLI Scheme 1976. Benefits accrued or sanctioned before the transition are preserved.
| Scheme | Notification | Supersedes | Core Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees Provident Fund, 2026 (“EPF 2026”) | G.S.R. 525(E) | EPF Scheme, 1952 | PF contributions, membership, withdrawals & transfers |
| Employees Pension Scheme, 2026 (“EPS 2026”) | G.S.R. 527(E) | EPS 1995 & Family Pension Scheme 1971 | Contributory monthly pension; family/widow/orphan pension |
| Employees Deposit Linked Insurance, 2026 (“EDLI 2026”) | G.S.R. 526(E) | EDLI Scheme, 1976 | Employer-funded life assurance on death in service |
EPF 2026 — Provident Fund
- Contribution rates unchanged: 12% each (10% for notified classes); employer share not recoverable from wages.
- Withdrawals: up to 100% of Eligible Member Balance (net of 25% Minimum Balance) after 12 months’ membership, for illness, education, marriage or housing, subject to frequency caps.
- Full withdrawal remains available on retirement (55), incapacity, emigration, retrenchment, or a 12-month break in service.
- Enrolment amnesty: 29 June – 31 October 2026, to regularise employees who joined between 1 April 2009 – 31 March 2026 but were never enrolled, for a nominal ₹100 charge.
EPS 2026 — Pension
-
Contribution and pension formula unchanged: employer 8.33% + Government 1.16% of wages; pension = (Pensionable Wages × Pensionable Service) / 70.
- Eligibility: 10+ years’ service for superannuation/early pension (from age 50, 4% reduction/year); minimum pension ₹1,000; disability, widow/widower, children’s and orphan pensions retained on the same formulas as EPS 1995.
- Exit before 10 years: withdrawal benefit per Table IV, payable after 36 months or on superannuation, whichever is earlier.
- Exemption under Section 143 continues (deemed granted if undecided within 6 months); claims must be settled within 20 days, else 12% p.a. penal interest.
EDLI 2026 — Deposit-Linked Insurance
-
Employer-only contribution, non-deductible from wages; remitted within 15 days of month-end.
- Enhanced death benefit: higher of existing formula (capped ₹1,00,000) or 35× average wages + 50% of PF balance (capped ₹1,75,000), floor ₹2,50,000, ceiling ₹7,00,000, plus a further 20% enhancement; minimum benefit ₹50,000.
- 6-month grace period on separation before death; existing EDLI 1976 exemptions continue and may be renewed.
Common Threads
-
20-day claim settlement timeline across all schemes, with 12% p.a. penal interest for delay, recoverable personally from the responsible officer.
- Digital-first administration continues via EPFO portals, ECR filings and UAN.
- Pre-29 June 2026 accrued benefits/claims remain governed by the predecessor scheme rules.
Action Points for Employers
- Assess unenrolled employees (2009–2026) for regularisation before 31 October 2026.
- Update payroll systems for liberalised, shorter-qualifying-period withdrawals.
- Review nomination records — 1952 Scheme nominations are void to the extent inconsistent with EPF 2026; marriage invalidates prior nominations.
- Establishments with existing exemptions should confirm compliance and prepare renewal filings under the new numbering.
Click to download the EPS Scheme 2026