Online facility has been made available by EPFO for submitting Applications for Validation of Option /Joint Options for pension on higher wages. The facility is for eligible pensioners / members in compliance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 04.11.2022. The facility was launched on 26.02.2023 and was to remain available only till 03.05.2023. However, considering the representations of the employees, the time limit was extended to 26.06.2023 in order to provide complete four months time to eligible pensioners / members for filing applications. 16.06 lakh Applications for Validation of Option / Joint Options have been received till 26.06.2023.

Last opportunity of 15 days is being given to remove any  difficulty faced by the eligible pensioners/ members.  Accordingly, the last date for submission of Applications for Validation of Option / Joint Options by employees is extended to 11.07.2023.

Any eligible  pensioner / member who on account of any issue in updation of  KYC, faces difficulty in submitting online  Application for Validation of Option / Joint Option, may immediately  lodge such grievance on EPFiGMS for resolution. The grievance may please be submitted by selecting the grievance category of ' Higher Pensionary benefits on higher wages'. This will  ensure proper record of such a grievance for further action.

Meanwhile, many representations have been received from Employers & Employers’ Associations wherein requests have been made to extend time period for uploading wage details of applicant pensioners / members. The request has been considered sympathetically and the employers are being given further period of three months to submit wage details etc. online latest by 30.09.2023.

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MJPS