Aadhaar mandatory for final settlement of pension claims: EPFO

Retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has clarified that submission of Aadhaar number would be mandatory for final settlement of the PF pension account, although it may not be required in cases of withdrawals.

"It is reiterated that the requirement of submitting Aadhaar is not insisted for the time being only in withdrawal benefit (10 C) cases under Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995. Furnishing of Aadhaar is still mandatory for final settlement of pension (10 D) and scheme certificate cases," the EPFO said in statement.

Earlier in January, the EPFO has made it mandatory for pensioners as well as subscribers to submit Aadhaar numbers for continuing the benefits under its various social security schemes.

The EPFO had later extended the date of submission of Aadhaar number authentication by the members of Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 up to 31 March 2017.

Later in January, the body had also made it mandatory for members to furnish Aadhaar number while submitting claims for settlement of their pension accounts under Employees' Pension Scheme 1995.

"However, news item appearing in few dailies suggested that Aadhaar is not required in settlement of pension claims," it said.

Newspaper reports on 28 February had said the EPFO has allowed full and final withdrawal of funds by the subscribers from their pension account without providing Aadhaar number.

"All those members filing claims for withdrawal of funds from their pension account would not be required to submit Aadhaar as mandated in an earlier order of the EPFO," reports quoted a senior official as saying.