EPFO Issues Nearly 1.5 Lakh Higher Pension Orders: Here’s How To Check Your Claim Status Online

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued 1,49,806 Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) enabling higher pension contributions for retired applicants, in line with a landmark 2022 Supreme Court directive. Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje informed the Lok Sabha that of over 15.24 lakh claims received under the higher wage pension scheme, only 11,595 remained pending as of August 5, marking substantial progress in clearing the backlog of applications filed by EPFO subscribers seeking pension payouts based on their actual salaries.

Supreme Court Order and Current Status

The Supreme Court's November 2022 order directed the central government to allow EPFO members to contribute to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) based on actual wages, rather than the statutory wage ceiling, to secure higher monthly payouts upon retirement. EPFO: UAN Activation Now Only Through UMANG App With Mandatory Aadhaar Face Authentication.

Government figures presented in Parliament show total pensioners under the EPS stood at 85.84 lakh as of March 31. Total pension disbursements under the scheme reached Rs 15,819.28 crore during the same period. The minister noted that EPS 1995 has been superseded by EPS 2026, with the government focusing on balancing social security coverage with the long term financial sustainability of the fund.

Revised Rules for EPF Withdrawals and Advances

EPFO has also implemented structural timelines for premature settlements and partial withdrawals.

A 12 month waiting period now applies for premature final EPF settlements, while a 36 month waiting period is required for EPS withdrawal benefits. Members can withdraw up to 75 percent of their accumulated balance under three categories: essential needs, housing requirements, and special circumstances. Subscribers can also access up to 75 percent of their balance twice a year under special circumstances without stating specific reasons, offering flexibility for emergencies, education, or healthcare costs. EPFO 3.0 Explained: When Will UPI and ATM PF Withdrawals Start, How Much Can EPF Members Withdraw?

How to Check Your EPFO Pension Claim Status

EPFO members can track their pension claims through four channels.

Via the UMANG App

1. Download and open the UMANG app on Android or iOS.
2. Log in using your Aadhaar linked mobile number and set a 4 digit M-PIN.
3. Search for EPFO under All Services and select Employee Centric Services.
4. Tap Track Claim (or Know Your Claim Status).
5. Enter your 12 digit Universal Account Number (UAN) and request an OTP.
6. Input the OTP to view detailed claim records, including Tracking IDs and real time processing status.

Via the EPFO Member Portal

1. Visit the official EPFO Member Portal at unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface.
2. Navigate to Online Services in the top menu.
3. Select Track Claim Status to view your Tracking ID, form type, and current processing state.

Via SMS

Send an SMS from your UAN registered mobile number to 7738299899 in the format: EPFOHO <UAN Number> <Language Code>. Common language codes include ENG (English), HIN (Hindi), BEN (Bengali), TAM (Tamil), TEL (Telugu), MAR (Marathi), GUJ (Gujarati), KAN (Kannada), MAL (Malayalam), and PAN (Punjabi).

Via Missed Call or Customer Care

Give a missed call from your registered mobile number to 9966044425 to receive an automated SMS reply with your account and claim details. Alternatively, contact the EPFO helpline at 1800 118 005 or 1800 114 470 to speak with a representative about your claim status.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).