If you’re one of the 78 lakh pensioners under the EPS-95 scheme, you’re probably holding on to hope. With prices rising and daily essentials getting harder to afford, it’s only natural to look to the festive season for some relief.
But here’s the truth—there’s no official confirmation yet on a festive pension hike under the EPS-95 scheme. That’s left many retirees like you wondering… Will it happen at all? Or is it just another promise in the wind?
What Is the EPS-95 Pension Scheme All About?
The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95) was launched in 1995 by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It’s meant for private sector employees, providing them with a monthly pension after retirement.
But for years, pensioners struggled with a minimum pension of just ₹1,000/month—an amount that barely covered basic needs, let alone medical bills or emergencies.
A Long-Awaited Change: The ₹7,500 Monthly Pension
Finally, after years of protests and legal battles, a Supreme Court ruling in 2025 raised the minimum pension to ₹7,500/month. And this wasn’t just another announcement that disappears—this one came with real action:
Here’s what changed:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Pension | ₹1,000/month |
| New Minimum Pension | ₹7,500/month (effective from May 2025) |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Linked to inflation (AICPI), revised twice a year |
| Beneficiaries | Approx. 78 lakh pensioners |
| Reapplication | Not required—auto-implemented by EPFO |
| Challenges | Actuarial deficit and budget strain on government |
What’s the Deal with Dearness Allowance (DA)?
For the first time, DA is now included in the EPS-95 pension—just like it is for government employees. That means your pension amount will rise in sync with inflation, reviewed twice a year, based on the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI).
Pre-Budget Meetings Gave Us Hope—But What Happened?
On 10 January 2025, the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They requested:
- A ₹7,500 minimum monthly pension
- Dearness allowance inclusion
- Free surgical treatment for retirees