The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS‑95), which has more than 8 million pensioners under its umbrella, witnessed a lot of changes in December 2025. The processing of applications for higher pension benefits by the government has been almost 100%, and this is a great relief to the retirees. On the other side, the issue of increasing the minimum pension from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500, which has been a demand for a long time, was brought up in Parliament but still remains unanswered.
Applications for Higher Pension Cleared
- After the Supreme Court’s verdict in November 2022, EPFO allowed its members to choose higher contributions to get bigger pensions.
- As of December 2025, more than 1.7 million applications have been filed online.
- The government has declared that 99% of those applications have been processed, so pensioners are getting their relief quickly.
Demand for Minimum Pension
- Trade unions and pensioners have always insisted on an increase from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500 for the minimum pension and provided the argument of inflation and living costs.
- At the Winter Session of Parliament (Dec 2025), the Labour Ministry recognized the demand but said that because the EPS fund was in an actuarial deficit, implementing it immediately was not possible.
- The matter is still under review, and no official approval has been given yet.
Why It Matters
The clearance of the higher pension applications is a substantial relief for pensioners, as they will be getting their benefits on time. However, the unresolved issue of minimum pension hike continues to stress out the government, especially the low-income retirees who are already having a hard time meeting their healthcare and daily expenses.
Latest Information Table
| Update (Dec 2025) | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Pension Applications | 17.49 lakh submitted, 99% disposed | Relief for EPS‑95 pensioners |
| Supreme Court Order | Nov 2022 | Implemented in time‑bound manner |
| Minimum Pension Demand | Raise from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500 | Govt says no proposal approved |
| Fund Status | Actuarial deficit | Limits scope for immediate hike |
| Beneficiaries | Over 80 lakh pensioners | Nationwide impact |
Conclusion
The EPS‑95 Pension Latest Update 2025 is a mix of both progress and challenges. On one hand, the disposal of applications for higher pensions by 99% is the most significant breakthrough, while on the other hand, the demand for a minimum pension increase of ₹7,500 still lingers owing to financial restrictions. Elderly persons receiving social security support are relieved but still, they advocate for changes that will make their retirement period more dignified and secure.
