The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has extended the deadline for employers to upload salary details for pension enhancement. Initially set for September 30, the deadline is now extended until December 31. As of September 29, EPFO had 5.52 lakh pending applications, and the verification process for opting for higher pension/joint options is underway.

As of July 11, 2023, the Labor Ministry reported receiving 17.49 lakh applications for pensioners/members seeking verification of option/joint option. The online application facility, initiated on February 26, 2023, initially had a deadline of May 3, 2023, but was later extended to June 26, 2023. Eligible pensioners/members had a final 15-day opportunity for application submission, extended until July 11, 2023.

If you haven't applied yet, there's no need to worry; you can still apply online on the EPFO website. EPFO has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to allow account holders to update personal information, reducing claim rejections and minimizing the risk of fraud.

EPFO members can now correct or update 11 details, including name, gender, date of birth, father’s name, relationship, marital status, date of joining, reason for leaving, date of leaving, nationality, and Aadhaar number. This flexibility aims to streamline claim processes and enhance security against online fraud.

In other news, EPFO account holders can anticipate an increase in interest rates, with 8.15 percent interest expected to be credited to accounts by the end of August. To ensure you receive this interest, it's crucial to have accurate details in your account, including Aadhaar card linkage. Without Aadhaar seeding, funds may not be deposited into your PF account, emphasizing the mandatory verification and seeding process for availing benefits.