EPFO Higher Pension 2026: 15.24 Lakh Claims Filed, 1.49 Lakh Orders Issued — Full Status Check
EPFO higher pension process continues to move forward, with lakhs of claims filed and orders issued to eligible members. Here’s what the latest figures mean and how members can check their higher pension claim status.
EPFO Higher Pension: Over 15.24 lakh higher pension claims have been filed under the EPFO scheme, with 1.49 lakh orders issued so far.
EPFO Higher Pension: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued 1,49,806 Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) under the higher pension option, out of a total of 15,24,365 claims received from subscribers, the government informed the Lok Sabha on August 10, 2026. Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje shared the figures in a written reply, stating that as of August 5, 2026, only 11,595 claims remained pending across all EPFO zones.
EPFO Higher Pension: What the Government Told Parliament
In her written reply, Karandlaje said the higher pension option allows eligible Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) members to contribute towards their pension based on their actual basic pay, instead of the earlier statutory wage ceiling. She noted that against 15,24,365 total applications received from subscribers, EPFO has issued 1,49,806 PPOs so far, while the remaining applications are at various stages of processing. Of the total claims, 11,595 were still pending as of August 5, 2026.
EPFO Higher Pension: Regional Breakdown: Where the Backlog Stands
The data placed before Parliament showed wide variation in application volumes and pending cases across EPFO’s regional offices:
- Telangana (Hyderabad Regional Office): 1,65,331 applications received — the highest among all regions
- Mumbai-1 (Bandra): 1,26,444 applications received
- Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai): 1,26,311 applications received, with 1,380 cases pending
- Delhi, Uttarakhand & Jammu: 95,419 applications received, with 1,389 cases pending
- Bengaluru: 1,09,307 applications received, with only 9 cases pending
- Kerala & Lakshadweep: 81,665 applications received, with 1,251 cases pending
- Orissa/Bhubaneswar: 49,234 applications received, with 1,341 cases pending
- Punjab & Himachal Pradesh: 44,946 applications received, with 3,004 cases pending
The Bengaluru regional office recorded the lowest pendency ratio among the offices listed, while Punjab & Himachal Pradesh showed a comparatively higher share of pending cases relative to applications received.
Also Read: 40 Crore Indians Have No Health Insurance Safety Net: Parliamentary Panel Pushes ₹4,000-6,000 Fix
EPFO Higher Pension: Background: The Supreme Court Order That Triggered the Process
The higher pension option stems from a Supreme Court judgment delivered on November 4, 2022, which directed EPFO to allow eligible members to opt for pension contributions based on their actual salary rather than the statutory wage cap that was in place earlier. Following the ruling, EPFO launched an online facility on February 26, 2023, for subscribers to submit applications for validation of options or joint options for pension on higher wages.
EPFO Higher Pension: Timeline of Deadline Extensions
The application window, originally set to close on May 3, 2023, was extended multiple times in response to representations from employees and employers:
- The deadline was first extended to June 26, 2023, to give members a full four months to apply
- A further 15-day extension pushed the last date for submission to July 11, 2023
- By July 11, 2023, EPFO had received 17.49 lakh applications from pensioners and members
- Employers were separately given time until January 31, 2025, as a “final opportunity” to upload wage details for pending applications, after more than 3.1 lakh validation requests remained stuck with employers despite earlier extensions
EPFO Higher Pension: What a PPO Means for Applicants
A Pension Payment Order is the formal document that authorises pension disbursal to an eligible retiree. EPFO has clarified that submitting a higher pension application does not automatically guarantee a PPO — each case goes through a verification and contribution process before an order is issued. Members can track the status of their applications through the EPFO member portal using their Universal Account Number (UAN) login.
EPFO Higher Pension: Related Development: New EPS Withdrawal Rules
Separately, EPFO’s revised rules, effective June 29, 2026, allow EPS subscribers to withdraw up to 75 percent of their balance for reasons including medical emergencies, education, housing, or unemployment. Members can also withdraw 75 percent of their balance under “special circumstances,” up to two times a year, without specifying a reason, with automated processing available for withdrawals up to Rs 5 lakh.
