Form 10D in EPFO: How to Apply for Monthly Pension

What Is Form 10D in EPFO?

Form 10D EPFO is used to claim the monthly pension that is provided by the Employee Pension Scheme. This form needs to be submitted by the member when they become eligible to receive a pension upon retiring or under other specific scenarios where it is allowed, such as disability or survivor benefits.

Form 10D covers the pension benefits alone and does not allow lump sum withdrawals like Forms 19 and 31.

Purpose of Form 10D

Form 10D requests the EPFO to calculate and release the monthly pension to the eligible member or beneficiary. Here are the situations where Form 10D is used to get payments:

• Superannuation pension (after reaching the pensionable age)
• Early pension (once the eligibility conditions are met)
• Disability pension
• Widow/widower pension
• Children's pension
• Orphan pension
• Nominee pension (in the absence of family members)

Eligibility to Apply Using Form 10D EPFO

A member needs to meet certain conditions to become eligible to submit Form 10D; they are listed below:

1. Completion of 10 Years of Pensionable Service

   A minimum service period of 10 years is required by the EPS to apply for the pension benefits.

2. Attainment of Pensionable Age (58 Years)

   The member becomes eligible for a pension at the age of 58.

3. Early Pension Option (From Age 50)

   The members can also choose an early and reduced pension option from the age of 50 to 58 years.

4. Permanent Disability During Service

   In case the member becomes permanently disabled, they can also access a disability pension regardless of the eligibility criteria.

5. Death of Member

   The family and dependants of the member can apply for a survivor pension using the Form 10D in case the member passes away.

Types of Pensions Claimed Through Form 10D

The EPS offers different pension categories based on the member's circumstances.

Documents Required for Form 10D Submission

The members need to submit the following documents to become eligible for the Form 10D:

• Aadhaar card that is linked with the UAN
• Bank account details to credit the pension
• PAN card details (if applicable)
• Passport-size photographs
• Exit date and details
• Scheme Certificate (if issued)
• Death certificate (for survivor pension cases)
• Disability certificate (if applicable)

How to Apply for Form 10D EPFO

The members can submit Form 10D online, through their employer, or by visiting the EPFO office:

Online Application Process

1. Log in to the EPFO website using the UAN details.
2. Verifying the KYC details, such as Aadhaar and bank account.
3. Go to the online service section and choose the claim section from there.
4. Choose the pension claim option (Form 10D).
5. Enter your pension details, nominee information and bank details.
6. Submit the application using Aadhaar-based authentication.
7. You can now track the claim status through the portal.

Offline Submission Process

Below is the process to submit the form through the offline method in case you cannot access it online:

1. Download the Form 10D from EPFO resources.
2. Fill in your details, such as personal, employment, and pension details.
3. Supporting documents are required; attach them before submitting.
4. If it is required, employer certification is also required.
5. Submit through the regional EPFO office.

Processing Time for Form 10D Claims

The pension claims take between 20 and 30 working days to get verified, as they need to go through the following:

• Checking and verifying the service history.
• Checking the accuracy of submitted documents
• Calculating and validating the pension
• Bank account authentication is carried out.

How EPS Pension Is Calculated

The following formula is used to calculate the EPS monthly pension:

Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70

Where:

• Pensionable salary is the average salary during the last 60 months (subject to wage ceiling).
• Pensionable service includes the total eligible years of contribution.

EPF Balance Check - Quick Access

It is important for the active members to update their EPFO contact details and KYC updated to help track the provident fund savings. The members can check their PF balance using the following official and approved methods of the EPFO:

• UAN Member Portal: You can log in with your UAN and password to check your PF balance and member passbook.
• UMANG App: You can download the government UMANG mobile app and access the EPFO services.
• Missed Call Service: You can give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number to check your PF balance via SMS.
• SMS Service: You need to send an SMS with the text "EPFOHO UAN ENG" to 7738299899 to get your EPFO balance details.
• Check via PensionBazaar: You can also check your EPF balance by navigating to the EPF balance section, filling in the required details and verifying it with the OTP.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Filing Form 10D

The application process can be confusing, and the applicants can make mistakes in the application process. Knowing the mistakes that are commonly made can help you avoid them. The common mistakes are as follows:

• Not having your exit date updated in the EPFO records.
• Mismatched information between the EPFO and the Aadhaar card
• Not issuing the scheme certificate
• Wrong bank details
• Misinformation in the service records due to the non-transfer of PF when changing the organisation.
• Multiple UANs, including those from the previous employers that have not been merged

Role of Scheme Certificate Before Filing Form 10D

The members who leave the service earlier than the minimum required period and do not withdraw their funds need to submit a scheme certificate when applying for the pension, as it allows them to:

• Keeps their pension service active
• Helps EPFO calculate their total eligibility
• Does not leave any gaps across the employers

Advantages of Applying Through Form 10D EPFO

EPS provides a stable income for the employees after their working years and also provides the following benefits:

• Provides monthly pension income for the rest of the member's life.
• Builds social security for the member after retirement.
• In case the member passes away, they can create survivor benefits.
• Security and peace of mind, as the scheme is regulated and administered by the government.

When Should Members Submit Form 10D?

It is important for the members to know when to file the Form 10D to start their chosen benefits on time without any delays; below is a time frame for submission:

• It should be filed immediately after reaching the pensionable age.
• Upon reaching eligibility for early pension benefits.
• Can be filed by the nominees if the eligible member passes away to initiate a pension.
• Once they receive the scheme certificate

Conclusion

Form 10D EPFO is necessary for the members who want a monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme or the EPF. The members need to ensure eligibility and maintain clean service records before submitting accurate documents to create a stable post-retirement income source. It is important to understand Form 10D to simplify the pension claim process, but also to secure your dependents, such as your spouse, parents or children, under the pension scheme and provide long-term social security and financial stability under EPFO.