Archive · 19 Sep 2026
EPFO Scheme Certificate: Eligibility, Form 10C and Pension Benefits
EPFO manages savings, pension and insurance plans for many workers.
The Employees’ Pension Scheme can provide a monthly pension after the required service period.
A scheme certificate is a document that helps protect a worker’s pension rights.
A worker may withdraw their provident fund savings and still keep their pension membership.
Form 10C is used to request this certificate in eligible situations.
The certificate can also help combine pension service from old and new jobs.
If the certificate holder dies, the family may use it to claim pension benefits.
Some special cases, such as reduced pension or permanent disablement, require Form 10D instead.
EPFO members with more than 10 years of eligible service can receive pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme.
A scheme certificate lets members withdraw their provident fund balance while retaining pension membership and service continuity.
Members can obtain the certificate by submitting Form 10C, including in certain retirement, unemployment and emergency situations.
The certificate helps transfer pensionable service when a member changes employers, potentially increasing future pension benefits.
Form 10D is required for reduced-pension claims and premature withdrawal because of permanent disablement, while families may use a scheme certificate to claim after the holder’s death.
- Who
- Eligible members of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and, in some cases, their families or nominees.
- What
- A scheme certificate preserves pension membership and pensionable service after eligible members withdraw their provident fund balance.
- When
- It may be obtained at retirement, after more than two months of unemployment, during certain emergencies, or when otherwise eligible; the wage-ceiling change was approved on 16 September, with no year specified.
- Where
- Through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, with pensions disbursed through banks or post offices.
- Why
- To retain pension eligibility, combine pensionable service after changing employers, and support family pension claims after the holder’s death.
- Administering body
- Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- Pension scheme
- Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS)
- Certificate form
- Form 10C is used to claim a scheme certificate.
- Service requirement
- Accounts or eligible service exceeding 10 years qualify for pension benefits under the stated rules.
- Retirement age
- 58 years, with an option to defer pension payments until 60.
- Employer contribution
- 8.33% of the employer’s 12% contribution is directed toward the EPS account.
- Government contribution
- The government contributes 1.16%, subject to the wage ceiling.