The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will rapidly launch an online capability to choose for higher pension by those subscribers who were in provision before September 1, 2014, and sustained to be in service but could not use the joint option. “Online facility for filing joint selection is coming soon,” the EPFO mentioned on its website on Friday.

This follows a circular issued by the superannuation fund body on February 20 outlining the procedure for such employees to opt for a higher pension under the employee pension scheme. It has said that it will facilitate the submission of joint options, the URL of which will be communicated shortly. Subscribers had to submit a form certifying that the employer’s share in the provident fund was above the prevailing salary caps of Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,500 per month at the time, along with proof of joint option verified by the employer.

The EPFO has almost 10 days till March 3 to observe with the Supreme Court presiding of November 2022, which provided a four-month window to allow eligible subscribers to choose for the higher pension under the EPS. With worries over how employers and employees will make the obligatory filings in the short timeframe, there is anticipation that the EPFO may encompass the window for making suggestions.