Guidance Required on Pension Scheme Certificate (EPS)

[MOHAN RAGUNATH]

Dear Experts,

I request your guidance on the following matter for my understanding and further action.

I have worked in private sector companies for over 20 years. After exiting my previous employment, while applying for PF withdrawal, the pension portion (EPS) was not paid and instead a Pension Scheme Certificate was issued by the department.

After one year, I have rejoined the same company. Kindly advise what action is required regarding the Pension Scheme Certificate received earlier. Should it be submitted to the employer/EPFO for continuation of pension service?

Please confirm whether my understanding and this communication are correct.

Thank you for your support.

 

[YAGAY andSUN]

Your understanding is correct. Since the EPFO issued a Pension Scheme Certificate on exit, it means your past EPS service has been preserved and not withdrawn, which is the settled legal position under the EPF & MP Act, 1952—EPS service cannot be paid in cash once eligible and must be carried forward. On rejoining the same (or any) establishment covered under EPFO, the Pension Scheme Certificate should be submitted to the employer/EPFO so that your earlier pensionable service is clubbed and continued. The UAN is critically important as it is the single lifelong identifier that links all PF and EPS service periods across employments; ensuring the same UAN is used allows EPFO to seamlessly add past and future service for final pension eligibility.

AI Summary

Pension Scheme Certificate treatment on re-employment: submit certificate and UAN to continue preserved EPS service and pension A Pension Scheme Certificate issued on exit preserves prior pensionable service under the EPF & MP Act framework and prevents cash payment of EPS benefits; therefore the preserved service must be carried forward. On rejoining an establishment covered by EPFO, submit the Pension Scheme Certificate to the employer/EPFO so earlier EPS service is clubbed with new service, enabling final pension eligibility. The Universal Account Number is the essential lifelong identifier to link and aggregate past and future PF/EPS service for continuity of pension entitlement.