I am 54. Was in employment with pvt company for 22 years before losing job last year. Can I try to get the EPS? (I was employed for 6 years in other companies before that as well, but not sure how to check EPS contribution for those).

Ans: Since you were eligible for EPS in your previous company but not in your current company, your EPS account would become inactive when you transferred your EPF account. The EPS amount cannot be withdrawn, but it can be transferred to your current EPF account.

Here are the steps you need to take to transfer your EPS amount to your current EPF account:

Offline - Download Form 10C - Fill out the form - Get the form attested - Submit the form to EPFO

Online - EPFO website - Access your EPF Member Portal - Online Services - Claim (Form 31, 19 and 10C) - Check your employment KYC - Just Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C) - Validate OTP and Submit Claim Form.

Ans: Hello;

If you have been in service for more then 10 years without any break while being contributing member of EPFO, then you are eligible for EPS.

If you sign-in into the EPFO portal you get your PPO by clicking on the "Know your PPO number" link.

Best wishes;

Ans: Yes, you can get EPS pension if you meet some key conditions. Let’s break this down clearly and practically for you.

What is EPS?
EPS stands for Employees’ Pension Scheme

It's part of EPF (Employee Provident Fund)

Your employer contributed 8.33% of your basic to EPS (within limits)

The pension starts at age 58, but you can opt from age 50 with reduced rate

Do You Qualify?
You said:

You worked 22 years in one company

You worked 6 years in earlier companies

Total is 28 years of service, which is good

To get EPS pension, you must:

Have minimum 10 years of total service

Have no PF withdrawal from pension corpus

Reach age 50 or above

So yes, you can apply now for early pension.

But it will be a reduced pension since you are applying before age 58.

You can also wait till 58 to get full pension.

How to Check EPS Contributions from All Employers
Since you mentioned you’re not sure about earlier EPS amounts, here’s what to do:

Check Your UAN Account (EPFO portal)

Login at https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in

Go to 'View' → 'Service History'

It shows all companies linked to your UAN

If UAN not linked to earlier jobs, read below

For Very Old Jobs (Before UAN)

Write to earlier employers or HR if you can

Ask them to share PF account number or Member ID

You can merge old PF accounts using “One Member One EPF” on EPFO

Use the ‘Pension Contribution Details’ Option

Inside EPFO portal → Check passbook

Select each employer to see EPS part

Only Rs. 1250/month (max) would have gone to EPS

But important is number of years, not amount

Visit Local EPFO Office

Carry your Aadhaar, PAN, UAN, employment history

They can trace EPS records using your old PF numbers

They’ll help merge accounts if needed

How Much Pension Will You Get?
Pension under EPS is not based on full PF balance. It is based on:

Your pensionable salary (max Rs. 15,000/month if not opted for higher pension)

Your number of years of service

More years = more pension.
But remember, if you apply before age 58, you get reduced pension (around 4% less per year).
So at age 54, if you apply now, you may get around 16%–20% less pension than if you wait till 58.

What Should You Do Now?
First, gather all old PF account details

Login to UAN and check if all employers are listed

If not, use One Member One EPF to link them

Then check total service years and EPS contributions

Once confirmed, apply for pension using Form 10D via EPFO

Should You Apply Now or Wait Till 58?
Pros of applying now (at 54):

You get pension income immediately

Useful if no steady income now

No need to wait 4 more years

Cons of applying now:

Pension is permanently reduced

Once fixed, it can’t be changed later

If you have other savings or income, and you don’t urgently need the money, better to wait till 58 for full pension.

Other Tips for You at This Stage
Try to get health insurance if employer policy stopped

Avoid withdrawing PF fully unless needed urgently

Invest PF amount wisely (not in risky small-cap or crypto)

Consider a mix of debt and equity mutual funds

Go via Certified Financial Planner and use regular plans

Avoid direct mutual funds and index funds

They don’t offer guidance or personalisation

MFDs backed by CFPs give goal-focused handholding

If You Already Withdrew PF Earlier?
Check if you withdrew only PF corpus or also pension portion.
If EPS amount is still untouched, you’re eligible.
If EPS was withdrawn, then pension is not available.
So it depends on how the withdrawal was processed.

What You Should NOT Do Now
Don’t panic and apply in hurry

Don’t take investment advice from YouTube or WhatsApp

Don’t believe agents offering shortcuts for pension

Don’t invest PF money in risky schemes

Don’t ignore pension – it’s a lifetime monthly support

Finally
Yes, you’re eligible for EPS pension.
But you must track and verify your complete service history.
Don’t miss any old jobs – even 1 year counts.
Use the EPFO portal, UAN, and local office for clarity.
Decide wisely – early pension means lesser pension for life.
If you can wait till 58, it’s better.
Also, make sure you start goal-based investments now.
Pension will help cover basics, but retirement planning needs more.
Take help from a Certified Financial Planner to plan your retirement corpus from PF and other savings.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: You have asked a very relevant and timely question.

You have worked for 28 years in total.

That includes 22 years in one private firm and 6 years before that.

At age 54, it is wise to evaluate your pension eligibility now.

Let’s go step by step and look at this from all angles.

First, Understand What You May Be Eligible For
You worked in private sector jobs for long years

Your PF was likely deducted from salary every month

Part of employer contribution goes into a pension account

This is not part of your main EPF balance you can withdraw

This is your pension component meant for retirement benefit

It is meant to give monthly income from age 58

That is if you meet the required minimum number of years

Check Whether You Crossed the Minimum Years Rule
To get lifelong pension, minimum 10 years of contribution is needed

You have already worked 28 years, so you clearly qualify

But what matters is if all those 28 years had PF contributions

Some old jobs may not have deposited EPS properly

You need to confirm how many years have valid pension deposits

You should ideally have 10 or more years of verified EPS service

How to Check the Contribution Details
You need to activate your Universal Account Number (UAN)

UAN helps you access all PF details in one place

Visit official portal and log in using UAN and OTP

Under service history, you can see all employers linked

You can see PF and EPS contribution month by month

If some older records are missing, don’t worry yet

You can add older employers manually with documentary proof

Submit previous appointment letters, salary slips, PF numbers

You can request field office to update records accordingly

That will help extend your service history for pension calculation

What to Do If You Don’t Have Some Older Records
Try to contact those old companies, if still operational

Request them for salary slips, PF number or any joining details

If company is closed, try to use Form 13 request

This helps in transferring old accounts under one UAN

If you have salary slips showing PF deduction, that’s helpful

You may need help from a PF office in your region

Visit nearest PF office with all available details

Request for EPS service update using manual submission if needed

When Can You Actually Apply for Pension
Full pension starts at 58

But you can also apply for reduced pension from age 50 onwards

This is called early pension option

But reduced pension gives smaller monthly amount

Since you are already 54, waiting till 58 is better

It gives higher payout compared to early claim

But in case of health or job issues, early pension is still allowed

You must not be contributing to EPS at time of application

How to Apply When Time Comes
When you reach 58, fill the pension claim form

You must submit bank details and KYC

You must ensure that all employment history is linked to UAN

PF office will verify service record and calculate pension

You’ll get monthly pension credited to your bank

The pension is for lifetime and gets transferred to spouse after you

How Much Will You Get as Pension
The amount depends on number of years in EPS

Also based on average pensionable salary over last 5 years

If salary was above threshold, the pension will be capped accordingly

The formula for pension has upper limits and fixed components

Your longer service will help increase the final monthly amount

Usually, people with 25+ years get reasonable pension amounts

But note that EPS pension is not inflation linked

So the amount remains fixed for life

It is meant only as a support, not full retirement income

Other Options If You Don’t Wish to Wait Till 58
If financial need is urgent, you may apply from age 50

But you will get around 30-35% lower pension

Once started early, the lower pension amount is locked for life

So think carefully before going for early option

At age 54, only 4 years remain for full pension

Unless financial pressure is too high, try to wait till 58

You can use PF withdrawal now for cash needs if not withdrawn yet

Pension must be claimed separately

So PF withdrawal won’t affect your pension eligibility

You must have exited employment and stopped contribution to claim EPS

Can You Combine EPS from All Jobs
Yes, you can merge multiple jobs under one EPS record

As long as UAN is same, and transfer done properly, it counts

Even if UANs are different, merging is possible with paperwork

Contact PF office with all job details and documents

They can help consolidate into one service record

This will increase your eligible service years

Which directly helps you get higher monthly pension

Mistakes to Avoid Now
Don’t withdraw EPS amount before applying for pension

EPS is not a withdrawal scheme after 10 years of service

If withdrawn, you will not get monthly pension

Many people confuse PF withdrawal with full exit

But EPS requires separate treatment

So never fill final settlement including EPS part

Ensure you apply only for pension when eligible

Suggestions to Prepare Financially Alongside Pension
Use PF balance for short term needs if required

Don’t rely only on EPS pension for retirement

It’s not enough to meet monthly living cost fully

Start a monthly SIP in mutual funds if you have surplus

Choose actively managed funds through a certified planner

Avoid direct funds, as no support or planning comes with it

Regular plans via certified professionals give better suitability

Use lump sum savings to start conservative mutual fund portfolio

Build your own monthly income stream besides pension

Also explore NPS for additional tax-efficient retirement corpus

Finally
You have already done 28 years of contribution-filled service.

This puts you in strong position to claim pension benefits.

Your age is perfect to start preparing the documentation for future claim.

Your presence of mind and awareness is very helpful at this stage.

Please keep all PF records, UAN details, and job letters safe.

Get all jobs added under one umbrella through the PF office.

Avoid withdrawing your EPS amount.

Instead, apply for monthly pension when you reach age 58.

If needed urgently, you may apply at 55 with lower amount.

Use PF corpus, not pension corpus, for short-term cash needs.

Also build alternate retirement income sources beyond this pension.

A well-planned mix of pension and investment gives peaceful retired life.

You are on the right track. Stay focused and organised.

Keep everything documented properly from now onwards.

Wishing you peace, health and financial confidence for your future years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment