**Executive Summary:**
This document addresses questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding pension schemes, specifically the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PMSYM), potential schemes for gig and platform workers, a universal pension scheme, and integration of existing schemes. It outlines measures to increase pension awareness and provides enrollment numbers for PMSYM as of July 10, 2025. The document also details various initiatives undertaken by the EPFO to enhance awareness and accessibility of its schemes.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS):**
* EPS is a Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit Social Security Scheme.
* The fund comprises employer contributions (8.33% of wages) and Central Government support (1.16% of wages up to Rs. 15,000 per month).
* Benefits are paid from these accumulations.
* The fund is valued annually, with a noted actuarial deficit as of March 31, 2019.
* The Government provides a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month via budgetary support.
* **Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PMSYM):**
* 51,36,578 beneficiaries are enrolled, including 5,06,603 through bulk registration, as of July 10, 2025.
* **Gig and Platform Workers:**
* The Code on Social Security, 2020, includes definitions and provisions for gig and platform workers.
* The Code allows for social security measures related to life insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection.
* **Awareness Initiatives (EPS and EPFO Schemes):**
* **Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0:** A grievance redressal platform and information exchange network with district-level camps on the 27th of each month (or the next day if a holiday).
* **Educative Videos:** Weekly short films released on the socialepfo YouTube channel.
* **Weekly Webinars:** Conducted by Field Offices on topics related to EPF MP Act 1952.
* **Social Media Activities:** Awareness campaigns via Facebook, Twitter, Public App, Instagram, and YouTube.
* **YouTube Live Sessions:** Conducted on the second Tuesday of each month to educate the public and gather feedback.
* **Regional YouTube Channels:** Dissemination of information in local languages.
* **Press Briefs:** Regular releases to communicate new initiatives and changes in EPFO to the public and media.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Eligible Workers:**
* *Impact:* Increased awareness of EPS benefits and other EPFO schemes, potentially leading to higher enrollment and better utilization of pension benefits.
* *Action Required:* Participate in awareness programs (Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 camps, webinars, social media engagement), watch educational videos, and utilize available resources to understand and claim benefits.
* **Pensioners:**
* *Impact:* Ensuring minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month and access to information and grievance redressal through Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0.
* *Action Required:* Utilize Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 for grievance redressal and stay informed through EPFO's communication channels.
* **Employers:**
* *Impact:* Need to stay informed about EPS contributions and any changes to the scheme, as well as facilitating employee awareness.
* *Action Required:* Participate in webinars, disseminate information to employees, and ensure compliance with EPS regulations.
* **EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing awareness initiatives and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders.
* *Action Required:* Continue conducting awareness programs, creating educational content, and utilizing various communication channels to reach stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Employees Pension Scheme: A Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit Social Security Scheme. Also referred to as EPS, EPS 1995, and EPS 95 in the document.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan: A pension scheme for workers. Also referred to as PMSYM in the document. 51,36,578 beneficiaries are enrolled under the scheme as on 10.07.2025.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation: An organisation, also referred to as EPFO in the document, that Government is providing budgetary support to.
National Pension Scheme: A pension scheme for Traders and Self-Employed, also referred to as NPSTraders in the document.
Code on Social Security, 2020: A code enacted by the Parliament, that provides for framing suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.
Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0: A grievance redressal platform and an information exchange network between EPFO and its various stakeholders.
EPF MP Act 1952: Act related to Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions.
Sushri Shobha Karandlaje: Minister of State for Labour and Employment
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4002
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
PENSION SCHEMES
4002. SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:
SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether there are any measures taken by the Government to
increase the pension amount under the Employees Pension
Scheme (EPS), and the measures are in place to ensure that all
eligible workers are aware of its benefits, if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the members enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri
Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) scheme;
(c)whether the Government is planning to launch a separate pension
scheme for Gig and Platform Worker and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government is planning to announce a Universal
Pension Scheme to allow the people to contribute voluntarily and
receive pension benefits after retirement and if so, the details
thereof; and
(e)whether there is any plans to integrate existing pension schemes
like the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and the
National Pension Scheme (NPS) for Traders and SelfEmployed
(NPS-Traders) and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a): The EPS, 1995 is a “Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit”
Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees’ Pension Fund
is made up of (i) contribution by the employer @ 8.33 per cent of
wages; and (ii) contribution from Central Government through
budgetary support @ 1.16 per cent of wages up to an amount of Rs.
15,000/- per month.
Contd..2/-::2::
All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such
accumulations. The fund is valued annually as mandated under
paragraph 32 of EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on
31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.
However, the Government is providing a minimum pension
of Rs. 1000 per month to the pensioners under the EPS, 1995 by
providing budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary
support of 1.16 per cent of wages provided annually towards EPS to
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
The measures taken to ensure that all eligible workers are
aware of its benefits are at Annexure.
(b) to (e) The number of beneficiaries enrolled under the Pradhan
Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme are 51,36,578
(including bulk registration of 5,06,603 beneficiaries) as on
10.07.2025.
For the first time, the definition ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform
workers’ and provisions related to the same have been provided in
the code on social security, 2020 which has been enacted by the
Parliament. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security
measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating
to life insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection,
etc
*****Annexure
Annexure referred to reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4002 to be
answered on 18.08.2025
Steps being taken to raise awareness among eligible workers are given below.
Nidhi Aapke Nikat -2.0: Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 was launched to increase accessibility and
visibility of the organization, in all the districts of the country, with regular periodicity. The
Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 is a grievance redressal platform and an information exchange network
between EPFO and its various stakeholders. Under the Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, EPFO is
organizing camps at the district level on the 27th of every month or the next day in case of a
holiday.
Educative Videos: To educate our stakeholders, EPFO releases one short film every Friday at
6 PM on the YouTube channel @socialepfo. Example - Videos on EPF Scheme and Types of
EPF Advances, EPF Transfer from exempted to un - exempted, Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 etc
These videos educates our subscribers from every sector including MSME sector to use their
PF fund judiciously. These videos have simple graphics and clear language for easy
understanding for the general public.
Weekly Webinars: Field Offices are conducting Webinars to create awareness and educate
various stakeholders of EPFO. Webinars are conducted weekly on topics related to EPF & MP
Act 1952. Pensioners, Employees and employers along with other stakeholders participate in
these webinars.
Social Media Activities: C&PR Division is entrusted with the responsibility of educating and
making the stakeholders aware through social media by posting creatives, cartoons, GIFs and
videos on Facebook, Twitter, Public App, Instagram and YouTube regularly. These creative
materials creates awareness on new initiatives and latest developments in the Organization.
You Tube live session: It is conducted on second Tuesday of every month .The objective of
these live sessions is educating general public and replying their queries along with gathering
important feedback from stakeholders . Live sessions have been conducted on topics like
Digital Services, EPS 95 , Freezed Accounts etc.
Regional Youtube Channels: Regional You Tube channels have been started to facilitate
dissemination of information in local language of the region. Educative content is translated
into regional language and posted on the Regional You Tube channels.
Press Briefs: Press Briefs are important tool for communication with stakeholders. Regular
press releases ensure that new initiatives and any changes in EPFO are communicated to the
general public and the media.
*****