EPFO okays pension beyond 25 years for disabled orphans

Orphans who are disabled or suffer from 'disorder of mind' will continue to get pension under Employees' Pension Scheme even after attaining the age of 25 years. "Labour Ministry has notified the amendment in the scheme to extend the orphan pension beyond the age of 25 years in case they are suffering from disorder of mind or physically crippled or disabled," a senior official said. 

The official said: "The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) headquarters has already issued an order in this regard to its over 120 regional offices to implement the scheme as per new provision." As per the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 run by EPFO, the monthly children pension is payable until they attains the age of 25 years. EPFO decision is significant in view of its implementation of minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 from September 1, 2014. It had modified the scheme which provides for the minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 for widows and Rs 250 for children.

Similarly the minimum pension entitlement for orphans has was fixed at Rs 750 per month under the scheme. The official said: "The minimum orphan pension under the scheme is Rs 750 per month. But there could be case where amount will be higher depending on the contribution made by the subscribers."