Complete Guide to Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
Understanding contribution splits, the ₹15,000 wage ceiling, 8.25% interest compounding, and withdrawal rules.
How Does EPF Contribution Work?
The Employees Provident Fund is a mandatory retirement savings scheme under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 for establishments with 20 or more employees. Both the employee and the employer contribute 12% of the employee's basic salary and Dearness Allowance (DA) every month.
Statutory 12% + 12% Contribution Breakdown
| Component | Employee Share | Employer Share | Destination Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPF (Provident Fund) | 12.00% | 3.67% | EPF Account (Compounds @ 8.25%) |
| EPS (Pension Scheme) | 0.00% | 8.33% (Cap ₹1,250) | Pension Fund for monthly pension at 58 |
| EDLI (Insurance) | 0.00% | 0.50% (Employer paid) | Life insurance coverage up to ₹7 Lakhs |
Triple Tax Advantage (EEE Status)
EPF enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) status under the Old Tax Regime: employee contributions are deductible under Section 80C up to ₹1.5 Lakh, interest accumulated is tax-free (up to employee contribution of ₹2.5 Lakh per year), and maturity proceeds withdrawn after 5 continuous years of service are completely tax-exempt.