Central Government Implements Employees' Pension Scheme 2026

The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026, has been implemented by the central government. The new EPS scheme governed by the Code on Social Security, 2020, has replaced the Employees' Family Pension Scheme (1971) and the EPS 1995 scheme.

The main goal of the new EPS scheme is to provide subscribers with a monthly pension once they have completed 10 years of service. But the main question is whether the 2026 EPS scheme has altered the way the monthly EPS pension is calculated for pensioners?

In the 2026 EPS pension scheme, some provisions like pension formula, employee and employer contributions and the minimum pension limit remain unchanged. However, changes have been made to areas like pension processing, how the pension fund is invested and a new rule that offers 12% interest if a claim is delayed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) without a valid reason.

Who can join the EPS 2026 scheme?

According to the notification, anyone who joins the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, or the provident fund of the establishment on or after June 29, 2026, and whose wages on that date are at or below the wage ceiling notified by the central government is eligible.

An employee who has been a member of the erstwhile Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, or was eligible to become a member of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, or Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971, before this new scheme started, are also eligible to join the new EPS pension scheme.

EPS pension calculation formula under the EPS 2026 scheme

According to the EPS 2026 scheme notification, the pension calculation formula remains the same.

The EPS pension formula is-

Monthly EPS pension = (Pensionable salary × pensionable service) ÷ 70

Pensionable salary will continue to be the average monthly salary drawn during the last 60 months before exiting the pension fund.

What can be your estimated monthly EPS pension on completion of 10 years of service?

For employees completing a minimum of 10 years of pensionable service, the estimated monthly EPS pension depends on their average pensionable salary. Based on the standard EPS formula, an employee with an average basic pay of Rs 10,000 can expect an estimated monthly pension of Rs 1,429.

The estimated pension may rise to Rs 1,571 for an average pensionable salary of Rs 11,000, Rs 1,714 for Rs 12,000, Rs 1,857 for Rs 13,000, Rs 2,000 for Rs 14,000, and Rs 2,143 for an average pensionable salary of Rs 15,000 after completing 10 years of eligible service.

Will you get EPS pension if you leave your job before completing 10 years?

Members with less than 10 years of eligible service will continue to have two options:

Receive a withdrawal benefit or obtain a scheme certificate so that the service can be added if they join another EPF-covered establishment later.

Key changes in EPS-2026 scheme compared to EPS-1995 scheme

Pension claims to be settled within 20 days

12% interest for delayed claims

Higher pension provisions incorporated into the scheme

Digital compliance for employers

The scheme’s name has been changed to the Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, from the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995.