What is employees Provident Fund (EPF) scheme?

The Provident Funds Bill was introduced in the Parliament as Bill Number 15 of the year 1952 as a Bill to provide for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments. The Act is now referred to as the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 which extends to the whole of India. The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tri-partite Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund, consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.

The employee and employer each contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary and dearness allowance towards EPF. Of the 12% of the employer’s contribution, 8.33% of the salary is directed to the EPS account and 3.67% of the salary is directed to the EPF scheme. On the other hand, 12% of the employee’s contribution is directed solely to the EPF Account. However, if the employee is a woman, she only needs to contribute 8% of her basic salary for the first three years. During this period, the employer’s EPF contribution will remain 12%. The current rate of interest on EPF deposits is 8.15% p.a. The accrued interest on the EPF is tax-free and can be withdrawn without paying for the same. Employees avail of a lump-sum amount on their retirement, which is inclusive of the accrued interest.