- Waiting period for premature EPF final settlement extended from two to 12 months of employment
- Final pension withdrawal waiting period increased from two to 36 months under Employees Pension Scheme
- About 75% of pension withdrawals occur within four years, weakening retirement savings
As the government prepares to notify the new EPFO rules, officials have detailed the rationale behind extending withdrawal timelines and creating a uniform 12-month lock-in for all partial withdrawals.
Labour Ministry data, seen by NDTV Profit, shows that frequent early withdrawals have weakened the retirement safety net. About 50% of the EPF members have only less than Rs 20,000 at the time of final settlement, while as many as 75% of the EPF members have only less than Rs 50,000 at the time of final settlement.
About 87% of the EPF members have only less than Rs 1,00,000 at the time of final settlement and roughly 75% of pension withdrawals happen within four years.
Officials hinted that this trend leaves employees with "insufficient PF balance or lack of pensionable service at the time of retirement," undermining the very purpose of the provident fund system.
To address this, the waiting period for premature final EPF settlement has been extended from two months of employment to 12 months, and for final pension withdrawal under the Employees' Pension Scheme from two months to 36 months. The idea, officials said, is not to restrict access but to preserve long-term savings and reduce premature encashments driven by short-term liquidity needs.
The government has simultaneously made withdrawals simpler and more flexible, merging 13 rules into three broad categories -- essential needs, housing, and special circumstances -- with minimal paperwork and faster digital processing. The uniform 12-month service requirement ensures equity across all members, replacing a patchwork of differing eligibility rules that often led to rejections and delays.
While some critics online argue that longer timelines could inconvenience those facing sudden job loss, officials maintain the reform balances "member convenience with retirement security." Partial withdrawals will remain accessible for key life events, while the pension framework is being redesigned to provide continuity of benefits and higher final balances at retirement.
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