EPFO members can now file grievances online. Here's how

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has a dedicated portal for members to register grievances related to pending claims, KYC errors, incorrect balances, and other unresolved issues. The portal, known as the EPFO Grievance Management System (EPFiGMS), is open to EPF members, pensioners, and employers.

The EPF is a government-backed retirement savings option for salaried individuals in India. Accounts are typically opened when basic pay and dearness allowance are up to ₹15,000 per month. Those earning above that threshold can opt for the Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF).

For the current financial year (FY26), the Finance Ministry has ratified the EPFO's suggestion of an 8.25% interest rate for both EPF and VPF contributions, PTI reported. Interest credits were completed earlier this month on 15 July. This marks the third consecutive year the instrument has delivered 8.25% returns.

On the tax side, annual employee contributions up to ₹1.5 lakh are exempt under Section 80C of the old tax regime. Employer contributions of up to 12% (below ₹7.5 lakh) are exempt under both the old and new tax regimes. Interest on employees' accumulated contributions is tax-free up to ₹2.5 lakh, while interest on the employer's contribution is tax-free.

EPF subscribers must maintain a 25% minimum balance in their account at all times, which means a maximum of 75% of the corpus can be accessed during partial withdrawal. For example, a subscriber with a ₹2 lakh total balance (employee and employer contributions) is eligible to withdraw up to ₹1,50,000 as partial withdrawal while keeping ₹50,000 as the minimum balance.