EPFO • EPS Pension
PF Money and Pension (EPS): When It Goes to Pension and How to Withdraw (2026)
Many members think PF money goes to the pension fund only at retirement. In fact a part of your employer's contribution goes into the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) every month. This guide explains how that works, who gets a monthly pension, who can withdraw the pension amount, which form to use (10C or 10D) and the step-by-step online process.
Key Features
- Your own 12% contribution goes fully into the EPF account. Of your employer's 12%, 8.33% goes to EPS (pension) and the rest to EPF, every month with the contribution.
- The EPS share is calculated on wages up to Rs 15,000, so it is at most about Rs 1,250 a month.
- A monthly pension needs at least 10 years of service. It starts at age 58. An early (reduced) pension is possible from age 50.
- With less than 10 years of service you can withdraw the EPS amount using Form 10C.
- With 10 years or more you cannot withdraw cash, but Form 10C gives you a Scheme Certificate that preserves your pensionable service.
- Form 10D is the claim for the monthly pension. Form 19 is for the PF (EPF) balance, not the pension.
What Happens in Each Situation
| Your situation | What you can do | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Service under 10 years, left the job | Withdraw the EPS amount (generally not allowed if service is under about 6 months) | Form 10C |
| 10 or more years, age 58 | Start monthly pension | Form 10D (with Scheme Certificate) |
| 10 or more years, age 50 to 57, not working | Early pension, reduced for each year before 58 (about 4% per year) | Form 10D |
| 10 or more years, but leaving a job before pension age | Cannot withdraw cash. Take a Scheme Certificate to carry service forward | Form 10C (Scheme Certificate) |
| Member has died | Family or nominee pension, or withdrawal by the legal heir in some cases | Form 10D / 10C as applicable |
Latest Rules (EPF Scheme, 2026)
- Older guides say the EPS amount can be withdrawn about 2 months after leaving a job. Reports on the EPF Scheme, 2026 (notified 29 June 2026) say the waiting period for EPS pension withdrawal is now 36 months from your last contribution or superannuation age, whichever is earlier.
- Because the rule is new, check what the claim screen on your own portal allows, and confirm on the EPFO website before filing.
- The pension amount itself is worked out on the standard EPS formula: pensionable salary multiplied by pensionable service, divided by 70. Pensionable salary is based on your average wage (capped at Rs 15,000) over the last 60 months.
Before You File: Checklist
- Activated UAN and password.
- KYC verified: Aadhaar, PAN and bank account approved on the UAN.
- Aadhaar-linked mobile that is active, for the OTP.
- Date of exit marked for your last employer (check View → Service History).
- Waiting period as per the latest rules is complete.
Process: Withdraw EPS Amount Online (Form 10C)
- Log in to the EPFO Member Portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in) with your UAN, password and captcha.
- Open Manage → KYC and confirm Aadhaar and bank are approved.
- Go to Online Services → Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C and 10D).
- Verify your bank account and accept the certificate of undertaking.
- Click Proceed for Online Claim. In the drop-down choose Only Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C). If you are leaving and also claiming PF, you can choose the option that includes both Form 19 and Form 10C.
- If you have 10 or more years of service and want to preserve it, choose the Scheme Certificate option instead of withdrawal.
- Tick the disclaimer, enter the OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile and submit.
- Note the claim reference number and track it under Track Claim Status.
Process: Claim Monthly Pension (Form 10D)
- You will need your Scheme Certificate (if you left earlier), age proof, Aadhaar, bank passbook or cancelled cheque, photographs and family details.
- Use the Form 10D option on the claim page if your portal offers it. Otherwise submit Form 10D with these documents at your nearest EPFO office, with employer attestation where required.
- After approval you receive a pension payment order and the pension is credited monthly to your bank account.
- Keep your KYC, bank details and nominee or family details updated so that pension is not delayed.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Form 10C option not showing: You may not meet the waiting period or service condition, or your exit date or KYC is missing. Fix those and check again.
- I have 10 or more years. Why is cash withdrawal not allowed? The scheme gives pension instead of cash. Take a Scheme Certificate and claim pension at 58 (or early pension from 50).
- Claim rejected: Common causes are name mismatch, unclear bank proof or wrong claim type. Correct the record and re-file with the right option.
- Not sure about service length: Check View → Service History and your passbook. Service on all member IDs under your UAN counts, so merge or link old accounts if any is missing.
- EPS and EPF confusion: Form 19 pays your PF. Form 10C pays only the pension part. For a full exit you may need both.
Important Points
- Do not pay any agent for pension claims. Filing is free for members.
- If you will take another job, a Scheme Certificate keeps your pensionable service going instead of cashing out.
- Withdrawal can attract TDS if your service is under 5 years and the amount is above Rs 50,000. Linking PAN keeps it lower.
- Rules were revised in 2026 and can change. Always confirm on the EPFO website or by calling 14470.
Need Help?
If you need help with your EPS pension withdrawal, Form 10C or 10D, or fixing KYC and exit date for your claim, contact Emitrawala.com. Our team will be happy to help you.
Contact on WhatsApp Call: +91 94606 26065