EPFO wage ceiling hiked to Rs 25,000: Check why 31 October is a crucial deadline

New Delhi: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has asked employers to enroll all eligible employees earning up to Rs 25,000 in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). It also instructed employers to calculate contributions according to the salary limit of Rs 15,000 from September 1 to 16 and Rs 25,000 from September 17 to 30.

The government recently increased the EPF wage ceiling from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. The new wage ceiling is effective from 17 September, 2026. Employees earning up to Rs 25,000 plus dearness allowance can now enroll for the EPF, Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme.

What should employers do for employees earning up to Rs 25,000?

In an X post the EPFO urged employers to enroll all eligible employees earning up to Rs 25,000 per month in the EPF.

"September 2026 ECR: Enroll all eligible employees earning up to Rs 25,000. Calculate contributions according to the salary limit of Rs 15,000 for September 1–16 and Rs 25,000 for September 17–30," the EPFO said in the X post.

What employers need to do in view of raised wage ceiling?

The EPFO has asked employers to enroll all eligible employees earning up to Rs 25,000 per month in the EPF. Employers should calculate the contributions in two parts. For 1 to 16 September 2026, the salary should be calculated as per the old wage ceiling of Rs 15,000. For 17 to 30 September 2026, the salary should be calculated as per the new wage ceiling of Rs 25,000.

How will employees benefit from enrolling in EPF?

Enrolling in the EPF will ensure employees' mandatory retirement savings with high interest, an employer-matched 12 percent financial bonus and increased pension and free life insurance benefits up to Rs 7 lakh. This will ensure financial security for employees and their families.

EPFO asks employers to pay ECR by 31st October

The EPFO has also asked the employers to pay a single Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) by 31st October 2026. The ECR contains member-wise wage and contribution details under EPF, EPS and EDLI. Employers submit ECR every month through the EPFO portal.