Archive · 23 Sep 2026
EPFO Benefits Help Families Claim Savings, Pensions And Insurance
When an EPFO member dies, the family may be able to receive several kinds of financial help.
One benefit is the money saved in the member’s provident-fund account.
Another may be a regular pension for an eligible spouse or children.
A third benefit is life insurance through the EDLI Scheme.
The family usually needs the member’s death certificate to begin a claim.
Other documents may include proof of a child’s birth date and bank-account information.
Form 20 is used for many provident-fund claims, while Form 10-D is used for eligible pension claims.
Form 5(IF) is used for EDLI insurance claims.
The exact benefits depend on the member’s eligibility, service and circumstances of death.
Families of eligible deceased EPFO members may claim provident-fund savings, survivor pensions and EDLI insurance benefits.
A death certificate is required, along with documents such as children’s birth-date proof, a scheme certificate and bank verification.
Nominees, eligible family members or legal heirs can claim the deceased member’s EPF balance using Form 20 or the composite claim form.
Eligible spouses and children below 25 may receive survivor benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, subject to its provisions.
The EDLI Scheme offers up to Rs 7 lakh for eligible members who died while in service at a covered establishment.
- Who
- Eligible families, nominees, surviving family members or legal heirs of deceased members covered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
- What
- Claims may be made for the deceased member’s EPF savings, survivor pension benefits and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) insurance.
- When
- After the EPFO member’s death; EDLI applies when the member died while in service.
- Where
- Through the EPFO claims process using the applicable forms; no physical claim location is specified.
- Why
- To provide eligible families with provident-fund savings, recurring survivor pensions and insurance support after the member’s death.
- Required document
- The death certificate must accompany the EPFO claim.
- EPF claim
- Form 20, or the composite death-claim form, may be used to claim the deceased member’s provident-fund balance.
- Pension claim
- Form 10-D is specified for eligible family pension claims.
- Potential pension recipients
- Eligible spouses and children below 25 may qualify under applicable EPS provisions.
- EDLI claim
- Form 5(IF) is used for eligible EDLI insurance claims.
- Maximum EDLI benefit
- The maximum EDLI benefit is Rs 7 lakh.
- Bank verification
- A cancelled cheque or attested bank-passbook copy may be required.