Lok Sabha Question No. 4002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Pension Schemes
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4002 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## PENSION SCHEMES

4002. SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL: SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  there  are  any  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to increase  the  pension  amount  under  the  Employees  Pension Scheme (EPS), and the measures are in place to ensure that all eligible workers are aware of its benefits, if so, the details thereof; (b)the  details  of  the  members  enrolled  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) scheme;
- (c)whether the Government is planning to launch a separate pension scheme for Gig and Platform Worker and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  announce  a  Universal Pension Scheme to allow the people to contribute voluntarily and receive  pension  benefits  after  retirement  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e)whether there is any plans to integrate existing pension schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and the National  Pension  Scheme  (NPS)  for  Traders  and  SelfEmployed (NPS-Traders) and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a): The  EPS,  1995  is  a  'Defined  Contribution -Defined  Benefit' Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees' Pension Fund is  made  up  of  (i)  contribution  by  the  employer  @  8.33  per  cent  of wages;  and  (ii)  contribution  from  Central  Government  through budgetary support @ 1.16 per cent of wages up to an amount of Rs. 15,000/- per month.

All  benefits  under  the  scheme  are  paid  out  of  such accumulations.  The  fund  is  valued  annually  as  mandated  under paragraph 32 of EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on

31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.

However, the Government is providing a minimum pension of  Rs.  1000  per  month  to  the  pensioners  under  the  EPS,  1995  by providing budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16 per cent of wages provided annually towards EPS to

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The measures taken to ensure that all eligible workers are aware of its benefits are at Annexure.

- (b)    to  (e)  The  number  of  beneficiaries enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri  Shram  Yogi  Maan-dhan  (PM-SYM)  scheme  are  51,36,578 (including bulk registration of 5,06,603 beneficiaries) as on 10.07.2025.

For the first time, the definition 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the  code  on  social  security,  2020  which  has  been  enacted  by  the Parliament. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc

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## Annexure referred to reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4002 to be answered on 18.08.2025

Steps being taken to raise awareness among eligible workers are given below.

Nidhi Aapke Nikat -2.0: Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 was launched to increase accessibility and visibility of the organization, in all the districts of the country, with regular periodicity. The Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 is a grievance redressal platform and an information exchange network between  EPFO  and  its  various  stakeholders.  Under  the  Nidhi  Aapke  Nikat  2.0,  EPFO  is organizing camps at the district level on the 27th of every month or the next day in case of a holiday.

Educative Videos : To educate our stakeholders, EPFO releases one short film every Friday at 6 PM on the YouTube channel @socialepfo. Example - Videos on EPF Scheme and Types of EPF Advances, EPF Transfer from exempted to un - exempted, Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0 etc These videos educates our subscribers from every sector including MSME sector to use their PF  fund  judiciously.  These  videos  have  simple  graphics  and  clear  language  for  easy understanding for the general public.

Weekly Webinars : Field Offices are conducting Webinars to create awareness and educate various stakeholders of EPFO. Webinars are conducted weekly on topics related to EPF & MP Act 1952. Pensioners, Employees and employers along with other stakeholders participate in these webinars.

Social Media Activities : C&PR Division is entrusted with the responsibility of educating and making the stakeholders aware through social media by posting creatives, cartoons, GIFs and videos on Facebook, Twitter, Public App, Instagram and YouTube regularly. These creative materials creates awareness on new initiatives and latest developments in the Organization.

You Tube live session : It is conducted on second Tuesday of every month .The objective of these live sessions is educating general public and replying their queries along with gathering important  feedback  from  stakeholders  .  Live  sessions  have  been  conducted  on  topics  like Digital Services, EPS 95 , Freezed Accounts etc.

Regional Youtube Channels :  Regional  You  Tube  channels  have  been  started  to  facilitate dissemination of information in local language of the region. Educative content is translated into regional language and posted on the Regional You Tube channels.

Press Briefs :  Press Briefs are important tool for communication with stakeholders. Regular press releases ensure that new initiatives and any changes in EPFO are communicated to the general public and the media.

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