Instructions & Guidelines for exercising the EPF Higher Pension option

BSNL CO issued the instructions & guidelines for exercising the EPF higher pension option. As the Hon’ble Supreme Court has given timeline of 4 months for submitting the option form and in anticipation of further affirmative guidelines from EPFO, the following instructions are hereby issued :

A] For employees who have retired before 01.09.2014

1] An indicative list of BSNL recruited employees(from SAP/ERP) who have retired before 01.09.2014 is attached. The eligible employees have to visit the EPFO portal for necessary validation https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.govin/memberinterface/.

2] The eligible employees have to give explicit consent in the application form for adjustment from Provident Fund to Pension Fund and if any, to re deposit the amount to the pension fund.

3] The following documents are to be provided for processing of the case:

(a) Proof of Joint option under Para 26(6) of the EPF scheme duly verified by the employer; and

(b) Proof of Joint Option under the proviso to erstwhile Para 11(3) duly verified by the employer; and

(c) Proof of remittance in Provident Fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs. 5000/Rs.6500; and

(d) Proof of remittance in Pension Fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs. 5000/Rs.. 6500, if any; and

(e) Written refusal of APFC or any other higher authority of EPFO to such requests/remittance.

B] As regards employees who have retired after 01.09.2014 or are still working

1] In anticipation of affirmative guidelines in a manner similar to the employees retired before 01.09.2014 and in keeping with Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgment in CA nos. 8658-8659, all eligible serving employees/Retired employees are requested to submit the option for higher pension scheme in the form annexed to this letter.

2] The following points are to be noted by the employees :

(a) The option form in triplicate duly signed in original (hard copies) shall be submitted to the Payroll DDOs of the Concerned BAs.

(b) The joint option form shall be subject to acceptance by EPFO, as per rules.

(c) Every employee/ex-employee who had joined BSNL from any other organization in which he/she was member of EPS’ 1995 should provide complete details for each previous organization. These employees who had joined BSNL from any other organization in which he/she was member of EPS’ 1995 should add their service, in previous organization in current EPS number by filling Form 13.

(d) The option once accepted by EPFO is irrevocable at later date and no change of option will be entertained under any circumstances.

(e) The joint option form duly filled in every manner should be submitted by concerned employee/ex-employees latest by 10th February, 2023.

(f) These instructions are subject to directions/instructions of EPFO and/or decision of any court of law issued from time to time in this regard.

(g) The necessary Employer Declaration will follow.

(h) The Employees shall submit the joint option forms at the earliest without waiting for its availability in ESS. The same will be notified.

Click here for Joint Option Form along with the instructions/guidelines