- Complete 10 years of service and be 58 years or older to qualify for pension under EPS.
- Pension contributions come from both employee and employer shares, with 8.33% going to the pension fund.
- Keep the same UAN to avoid losing pension benefits even with job gaps; a pension certificate helps link old service periods.
Members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) should be aware of the key rules under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), particularly the eligibility criteria after completing 10 years of service. As per EPS guidelines, employees become eligible for a pension once they complete 10 years of cumulative service — even if there are breaks or job changes during their career.
Pension Eligibility Under Employees Pension Scheme After 10 Years
The EPS is set up to provide monthly pension payments to EPFO members who complete at least 10 years of service. But the pension starts only after you turn 58. So if you’ve worked for 10 years or more, you can expect monthly pension payments from EPS once you reach that age.
Understanding Contributions and Pension Accumulation
Each month, a part of both your salary and your employer’s contribution goes to different accounts. Specifically, 12% of your salary is contributed to the Provident Fund account. From the employer’s share, 8.33% goes to the Employees Pension Scheme fund, while the remaining 3.67% is added to the Provident Fund.
This division is important to understand because only the amount sent to EPS builds up your pension benefits after you complete the required time.
How Job Gaps Affect Pension Eligibility
A common question is whether breaks in your job affect pension eligibility. According to EPS rules, as long as you keep the same UAN (Universal Account Number), periods without work in between won’t stop you from getting pension. The key is to have a total of 10 years of service under the same UAN.
So, even if you lost your job and joined a new employer later, your pension benefits keep building under the same EPS account, as long as your UAN stays the same.
Also Read – PF Balance Check: अब मिस्ड कॉल और SMS मैसेज से चेक करें अपना PF बैलेंस
Why Getting a Pension Certificate Matters
If you left your job a while ago but plan to start working again, getting a pension certificate from your previous job is very important. This certificate acts as official proof of your past service under the EPS scheme.
When you take a new job, you can show this certificate to connect your old service period with your new EPS account, making sure your total service time is counted. This step helps you avoid losing your hard-earned pension rights due to administrative gaps.
EPS Key Details
| Minimum Service Duration | 10 Years |
| Minimum Pension Age | 58 Years |
| Employer Contribution to EPS | 8.33% of Salary |
| Employee & Employer PF Contribution | 12% Each of Basic + DA |
| Maintaining Pension Account | Same UAN Number |
| Official EPS Website | https://www.epfindia.gov.in |
Knowing these rules gives you better control over your retirement planning. Make sure to check your UAN details often, get your pension certificate when changing jobs, and keep an eye on your contribution splits to get the most from your pension under the Employees Pension Scheme.