EPF stands for Employees’ Provident Fund. It is a retirement benefit scheme governed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization. The scheme aims to provide social security and offers retirement benefits to employees1. Under the scheme, both the employee and the employer contribute an equal amount on a monthly basis towards savings that can be availed upon retirement or after switching jobs. A salaried employee earning less than INR 15,000 and an organization having 20 or more employees is mandatorily required to obtain registration under the EPF scheme.
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme provides several benefits to its members. It aids in long-term financial planning, helps to preserve a comfortable standard of living in old age, and provides financial assistance during emergencies. Deductions are made on a monthly basis from the employee’s salary, and there is no requirement to make a single, lump-sum investment. The EPF can be used for multiple purposes, such as accumulation plus interest upon retirement, resignation, and death, and partial withdrawals are allowed for specific expenses such as house construction, higher education, marriage, and illness. The funds in an EPF account are tax-free, and the amount is free of tax if withdrawn at the time of maturity. Monthly benefits are also available for superannuation/retirement, disability, survivor, widow(er), and children, with the amount of pension based on average salary during the preceding 12 months from the date of exit and total years of employment.
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