# EPFO raises PF wage ceiling to Rs 25,000; 51 lakh more workers to be covered URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/epfo-raises-pf-wage-ceiling-to-rs-25-000-51-lakh-more-worker Language: en · Section: Schemes · Published: 2026-10-31 Last date: 2026-12-28 (Last date to apply under Amnesty, 2026) Source: PIB, "भारत का सामाजिक सुरक्षा कवरेज", 2026-10-31, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2330729 In September 2026, EPFO raised the monthly wage ceiling for mandatory PF coverage from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. More than 51 lakh additional employees are expected to come under its cover. ## What this means for you If your monthly salary is up to Rs 25,000, you may now fall under mandatory EPF coverage and get PF savings, pension and insurance benefits. Workers whose salary was above Rs 15,000 and who were outside PF should ask their employer about enrolment. PF withdrawals, claims and pension services are described as easier and online. ## Key facts - The mandatory EPFO wage ceiling was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month in September 2026. - It was last revised in September 2014, from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000. - Over 51 lakh additional employees are expected to be covered. - Contributing members rose from 3.49 crore in 2014-15 to about 7.98 crore as of 16 September 2026. - EDLI 2026 gives insurance cover up to Rs 7 lakh without a separate premium. - The Amnesty, 2026 scheme is open till 28 December 2026. ## What has changed In September 2026, the monthly wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. The ceiling was last revised in September 2014, from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000. According to the official information, more than 51 lakh additional employees are expected to come under coverage. EPFO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment and is described as one of the world's largest social security organisations. It provides provident fund savings, pension and insurance benefits to eligible members. ## What a worker gets Under the Social Security Code, 2020, the new EPF 2026 scheme has replaced the earlier Employees' Provident Fund Scheme. Members build retirement savings through their contributions and interest. Partial withdrawal is allowed for specified purposes such as housing, higher education, marriage and medical treatment, subject to set conditions. The new EPS 2026 pension scheme gives monthly pension on superannuation, retirement or disability. Pension is also paid to eligible dependants of a deceased member, including spouse and children. The new EDLI 2026 scheme gives insurance cover up to Rs 7 lakh in case of death during service, without the member paying a separate premium. ## How many people are covered Contributing EPFO members rose from 3.49 crore in 2014-15 to about 7.98 crore as of 16 September 2026. As of September 2026, 7.68 lakh establishments were contributing to EPFO. Pensioners rose from 51.04 lakh in 2014-15 to about 82 lakh by September 2026. Claim settlement has also grown. In 2014-15, 1.30 crore claims were settled, while in the year up to October 2026, EPFO settled 6.42 crore claims. ## Easier withdrawals and claims EPFO has merged 13 provisions governing partial withdrawal into three categories. Withdrawal is now allowed 10 times for education and 5 times for marriage; earlier both shared a combined limit of 3. The revised framework introduced in October 2025 lets eligible members withdraw up to 75 per cent of their PF balance, and the minimum service requirement has been standardised at 12 months. The auto-settlement limit for eligible advance claims has been raised to Rs 5 lakh. For eligible online claims, the requirement to upload a cheque-leaf image or attested bank passbook has been removed. ## Schemes for employers Vishwas, 2026 facilitates one-time settlement of eligible disputes related to damages or penalties under the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the Social Security Code, 2020. For eligible defaults before 14 June 2024, the monthly damages rate is reduced to 0.25, 0.50 or 1 per cent depending on the period of delay. Applications are filed online through the EPFO employer portal. Amnesty, 2026 is a one-time scheme open till 28 December 2026. It covers establishments whose PF trusts are recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961 but lack formal exemption under the EPF and MP Act, 1952 or the Social Security Code, 2020. ## Help for pensioners The Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) lets pensioners draw pension from any bank branch in the country. They do not need to transfer the Pension Payment Order (PPO) when they change location or bank. EPFO has also tied up with India Post Payments Bank for doorstep digital life certificate services, with EPFO bearing the Rs 50 cost per certificate. ## Where to get help UAN generation and activation is available through the Umang mobile app. Since August 2025, members can seed or correct Aadhaar details through the UAN member portal. If the employer is unavailable, members can seek help through the Public Relations Officer of the concerned EPFO office. ## Questions and answers **What is the EPFO wage ceiling now?** Rs 25,000 per month. In September 2026, the ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. **How many workers will the new ceiling cover?** More than 51 lakh additional employees are expected to come under coverage. This figure is from the PIB backgrounder. **For what purposes can I withdraw PF money?** Partial withdrawal is allowed for illness, education, marriage, housing and special circumstances. EPFO has merged 13 partial withdrawal provisions into three categories. **How fast can I get my PF money?** The auto-settlement limit for eligible advance claims has been raised to Rs 5 lakh. This allows faster processing of eligible withdrawals without manual intervention. **What is the last date for Amnesty 2026?** 28 December 2026. It is a one-time scheme to help establishments regularise their PF trusts. Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.