- This topic has 15 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 2 months ago by
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MRetired teacher moved cities in India changing jobs 17 years back. She wasn’t aware much of PF rules much then. She filled a form to acknowledge no previous PF account. This led to her having two PF accounts from the previous and new jobs. Now after retiring, she was getting pension from two accounts since two years. Then she got a letter from concerned department that she cannot have two accounts, she needs to return the pension she received from one account so far, accounts will be merged and she will get her money back. After returning the money and merging her accounts, department officer has put her file on hold saying she did fraud 17 years ago when she ack on form that she didn’t have a PF account previously. Hence she will only get her contribution towards PF in the second account as a lumpsum without any pension due to no interest. This seems like a technical error with disproportionate amount of pain being inflicted on a retired teacher making her lose pension over 15 years worth of savings. What is her recourse?
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IHere’s a simplified summary of the situation and what can be done:
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What Happened (What It Is)
A retired teacher ended up with two PF accounts when she changed jobs 17 years ago — likely because she didn’t know the rules back then.
She mistakenly said she didn’t have a previous PF account in a form.
After retirement, she started getting pensions from both accounts.
When the error was discovered, the department asked her to return the extra pension, which she did.
Now, they are accusing her of fraud for the old mistake and saying she won’t get pension for one of the accounts — only a lump sum of her contribution without interest.
**Legal Position (What the Law Says)**
Having two PF accounts by mistake was common before the UAN system was introduced.
To qualify for pension under EPS, a person needs at least 10 years of total service.
A person can be denied pension only if they had less than 10 years of service or committed fraud with intent.
In this case, it doesn’t seem like fraud — just a mistake made out of lack of knowledge.
The punishment (no pension) seems too harsh and unfair.
**What She Can Do (Next Steps)**
1. File an online complaint on EPFO Grievance Portal
https://epfigms.gov.in/
Explain the situation and attach all proof (job records, payment receipts, return of pension, etc.)2. Write to the Central PF Commissioner (CPFC)
Escalate the complaint and ask for review of the decision.3. Approach the Pension Ombudsman
If her pension scheme is eligible, she can complain to the ombudsman for free.4. File a Writ Petition in the High Court
If nothing works, she can go to court, saying this is unfair and against her rights.**What She Needs to Prepare**
All PF account details (old and new)
Pension payment and refund documents
Copy of the form where the mistake happened
All letters or communication with the department
This is not legal advice, and I am not a professional, this is for general information purposes only. Please consult a lawyer for professional advice.
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CI am not getting why officials are creating fuss over it. If by mistake she did not mention existing details and created new with a new employer then also what’s the issue upon merging the amount of two payable principal + interest should be given.
These officials are thieves who want to take this woman’s money she saved all these years.
This mistake is not a crime that you are stealing her money.-
SThe officials won’t be getting a share of what they are recovering from the woman but if they are caught in audit sometime in the future that the women had two accounts and the officials did not take any action despite knowing about it then the excess money paid to the woman will be recovered from the officials. Now tell me what they should be doing.
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BThey already caught the issue. Recovered the extra pension paid. Now after merging the accounts they are flagging it why?
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CI agree , but tell me when they have merged as per instructions then what problem officials are having now ? Moreover pension from 2 accounts are calculated on the principal amount and years basis , if it would be merged earlier then also pension would be the same on the basis of merged principal and interest.
Rest you are right in 2 accounts cases but upon merging they can penalize minimal sum, despite locking all amounts of an individual and making her beggar to beg for her own money she deposited all these years.
And if you see these corrupt pf officials babus cases here and other platforms also, you would agree about their greed and corruption in pf dept. -
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VShe was naive 17 years back
She is naive even after getting retired…lolDude she was taking 2 pensions didn’t that ring a bell to her or she got greedy?
If the letter wouldn’t have come for 10 years she would have taken 2 pensions for 10 years.
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MNot sure. She probably thought two different pension contributions can lead to two different pensions
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VBro how are you related to her?
Either she is acting smart or hiding things, a teacher doesn’t alone work in a cabin there is a whole staff of teachers, office staff and principal.
Even after getting retirement they talk to each other through WhatsApp and their school group, and everyone talks about all this. I know all this because i come from a family of teachers.
If she is so dumb that for 17 years and beyond she never heard or discussed with anyone.
i pity the kids who she taught.
She is purely lying she kept quiet because she was getting double pension. You cannot eat government money time to pay back.
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MUnrelated.
Why do you think it is government money though? Pension comes from the interest accumulated from one’s EPS contribution. Whether it comes from one job or two jobs in succession, total principal and interest would remain same for total years of service. Or am I getting it wrong somewhere.
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