Source: FE
Context:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recommended retaining the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) interest rate at 8.25% for FY 2025–26.
Key Decision
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has recommended:
- EPF Interest Rate: 8.25%
- Applicable For: Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26)
- Status: Unchanged for the second consecutive year
This decision maintains stability in returns for over 6 crore EPF subscribers.
Historical Trend of EPF Interest Rates
- FY26: 8.25% (unchanged)
- FY24: 8.15% (last revision before increase)
- FY22: 8.10% (four-decade low)
The FY22 rate of 8.1% was the lowest in nearly 40 years, reflecting subdued earnings and broader economic pressures at that time.
What is EPF?
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is:
- A mandatory retirement savings scheme for salaried employees
- Managed by EPFO
- Jointly contributed by employer and employee
It provides:
- Retirement corpus
- Partial withdrawals for housing, medical, education needs
- Pension benefits under EPS (Employees’ Pension Scheme)
