In this era of inflation, the biggest concern for retired employees is their pension. If the amount received after years of service is not enough to meet daily expenses, then the problems of senior citizens increase further. In this regard, major relief is expected before the Union Budget 2026. The government is now seriously considering the long standing demand of increasing the minimum pension. According to sources, a big announcement can be made in the budget or soon after for the pensioners associated with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
Currently, employees covered under EPFO get a minimum pension of Rs 1000 every month. Surprisingly, there has been no change in this amount for the last 11 years. During this period, inflation has increased manifold. Employees organizations have clearly said that in the current economic environment a pension of Rs 1000 is completely useless.
demands of employee organizations
On January 6, a delegation of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) met the Union Minister of Labor and Employment on this issue. The demand for increasing the minimum pension was strongly raised in the meeting, and the Minister showed a positive attitude and assured that the matter would be seriously considered. Other employee organizations have also reiterated their demand to increase the minimum pension from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.
Case in Supreme Court
This matter is not limited to the government only. The issue of minimum pension is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court. Therefore, there are indications that the government may soon take a concrete decision in this direction. Experts believe that Budget 2026 may prove to be a turning point in this matter.
EPFO’s new initiative
Meanwhile, EPFO is also working on making its services more easy. The organization plans to deploy ‘service assistants’ to help members with pension and PF claims, account linking and other processes. These assistants will provide services to the members at a fixed fee, which will free the elderly pensioners from going to the office again and again.