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EPF / PF Calculator

EPFO 8.25% p.a. · Employee & Employer contributions · EPS pension · VPF · Tax benefits

EPF Rate: 8.25% p.a. (FY 2023-24) EPS Cap: ₹15,000/month Section 80C up to ₹1.5L
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Enter Your PF Details

Monthly Basic + DA, age, and contribution settings

Employer split: 8.33% → EPS (capped ₹1,250/mo)  +  3.67% → EPF  ·  Interest: 8.25% p.a. compounded monthly

How EPF Contributions Work

Employee EPF = 12% × Basic+DA
Employer EPS = 8.33% × Basic+DA (max ₹1,250)
Employer EPF = 3.67% × Basic+DA
Total PF Credit = Emp + VPF + Employer EPF
EPS Pension = (Sal × Service) ÷ 70
Interest = 8.25% p.a., credited yearly

EPS pensionable salary is capped at ₹15,000/month  ·  Max pensionable service = 35 years  ·  Interest accrues monthly; credited to account on 31 March each year.

Worked Examples

Young Professional
Monthly Basic+DA₹25,000
Age → Retirement24 → 58
Employee (12%)₹3,000/mo
Employer EPF (3.67%)₹917/mo
Employer EPS₹1,250/mo
Salary Growth7% p.a.
Corpus at 58~₹1.85 Cr
Mid-Career Professional
Monthly Basic+DA₹60,000
Age → Retirement35 → 58
Employee (12%)₹7,200/mo
Employer EPF (3.67%)₹2,202/mo
Employer EPS₹1,250/mo
Salary Growth5% p.a.
Corpus at 58~₹1.42 Cr
High Earner + VPF
Monthly Basic+DA₹1,50,000
Age → Retirement30 → 60
Employee (12%)₹18,000/mo
VPF (10% extra)₹15,000/mo
Employer EPF (3.67%)₹5,505/mo
Salary Growth6% p.a.
Corpus at 60~₹9.8 Cr

What is EPF (Employee Provident Fund)?

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a government-mandated retirement savings scheme governed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the EPF & MP Act, 1952. It applies to all organisations with 20 or more employees. Both the employee and employer contribute 12% of the employee's monthly Basic Salary + Dearness Allowance (DA) each month, creating a tax-advantaged, interest-bearing retirement corpus that can be withdrawn at retirement or under specific life events.

Employee vs. Employer Contributions Explained

The employee's 12% goes entirely into the EPF account. The employer's 12% is split between two schemes:

  • EPS (Employee Pension Scheme): 8.33% of Basic+DA, capped at ₹1,250/month (since 8.33% of ₹15,000 = ₹1,250). This funds the pension you receive after retirement.
  • EPF: The remaining 3.67% goes into the EPF corpus alongside your own 12%.

So only the employee's 12% + employer's 3.67% build your withdrawable EPF lump sum. The 8.33% EPS portion creates your monthly EPS pension, not the corpus.

EPFO Interest Rate 2025 — 8.25% p.a.

The EPFO announced an interest rate of 8.25% per annum for FY 2023-24. Interest is calculated on the monthly running balance — meaning interest accrues each month on whatever balance is in your account — but it is formally credited once a year on 31 March. This compounding mechanism significantly boosts the final corpus over a long career, making EPF one of the highest-return risk-free instruments available in India.

What is VPF (Voluntary Provident Fund)?

VPF allows you to contribute more than the mandatory 12% of your Basic+DA, up to 100% of your Basic+DA. The additional amount earns the same EPFO interest rate (8.25%) and qualifies for Section 80C deduction up to the ₹1.5 lakh annual limit (combined with EPF contribution). There is no separate VPF account — the extra amount flows into your existing EPF account. VPF is ideal for risk-averse investors looking to maximise safe, tax-free, high-yield savings.

EPS Pension Formula

Your monthly pension from the Employees' Pension Scheme is calculated as:

Monthly EPS Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70

  • Pensionable Salary: Average of your last 60 months' Basic+DA, capped at ₹15,000/month.
  • Pensionable Service: Total years under EPFO, maximum 35 years.

For example: An employee with 30 years of service at a salary of ₹50,000 (capped to ₹15,000): Pension = (15,000 × 30) ÷ 70 = ₹6,428/month. Note that EPS pension is separate from and in addition to your EPF corpus withdrawal.

Tax Benefits of EPF

EPF enjoys EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status — contributions, interest, and maturity proceeds are all tax-free subject to conditions:

  • Section 80C: Your annual employee EPF contribution (and VPF) qualifies for deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh combined with other 80C instruments.
  • Interest: Fully tax-free up to ₹2.5 lakh/year of employee contribution. Interest on contributions beyond ₹2.5L/year is taxable (from FY 2021-22).
  • Withdrawal: Tax-free after 5 continuous years of service. TDS applies if withdrawn before 5 years and the amount exceeds ₹50,000.
  • Employer contribution: Employer's EPF and EPS contributions up to 12% of salary are fully tax-exempt for the employee.

EPF Contribution Rates Table

ComponentRateBasisMonthly Cap
Employee EPF12%Basic + DANo cap
Employer EPF3.67%Basic + DANo cap
Employer EPS8.33%Basic + DA (capped ₹15,000)₹1,250
EDLI (insurance)0.5%Basic + DA (capped ₹15,000)₹75
VPF (employee)0%–88%Basic + DANo cap

Partial Withdrawal Rules

PurposeMin ServiceAmount Limit
House purchase / construction5 yearsUp to 90% of employee share
Home loan repayment10 yearsUp to 90% of employee share
Marriage / education7 yearsUp to 50% of employee share
Medical emergencyNo minimum6 months basic wages + DA or employee share (whichever is less)
Retirement / unemployment (>2 months)AnyFull balance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EPF and how is it different from EPS?
EPF (Employee Provident Fund) is a retirement savings fund where both employee and employer contribute 12% of Basic+DA each month. EPS (Employee Pension Scheme) is a sub-scheme funded by diverting 8.33% of the employer's 12% (capped at ₹1,250/month). EPF builds a lump-sum corpus that you can withdraw, while EPS provides a monthly pension post-retirement. The two are separate and you receive both at retirement.
What is the current EPF interest rate for 2025?
The EPFO declared an interest rate of 8.25% per annum for FY 2023-24, the highest in recent years. Interest is computed on the monthly running balance and credited to your EPF account annually on 31 March. The rate is declared each year by the EPFO Central Board of Trustees and approved by the Ministry of Finance.
How is the EPF monthly contribution calculated?
Employee contribution = 12% of (Basic Salary + DA). Employer total = 12% of (Basic + DA), split as 8.33% to EPS (capped at ₹1,250/month) and 3.67% to EPF. Total deposited in your PF account each month = Employee 12% + Employer EPF 3.67% + any VPF. The EPS 8.33% goes to a separate pension pool and is not part of your withdrawable balance.
What is VPF and should I invest in it?
VPF (Voluntary Provident Fund) allows you to contribute more than the mandatory 12% of Basic+DA, up to 100% of Basic+DA. The additional amount earns the same 8.25% EPFO interest and also qualifies for Section 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5 lakh combined). Since VPF offers a government-backed 8.25% return — one of the safest and highest rates in fixed income — it is an excellent choice for salaried employees who have not yet exhausted their 80C limit and prefer capital protection over equity risk.
When can I withdraw my EPF corpus?
Full withdrawal is allowed at retirement (age 58+) or after 2 months of continuous unemployment. Partial withdrawal is permitted for housing (after 5 years, up to 90%), marriage or education of children (after 7 years, up to 50% of employee share), and medical emergencies (no minimum service, up to 6 months' wages). Withdrawals after 5 continuous years of service are completely tax-free. Withdrawals before 5 years attract TDS if the amount exceeds ₹50,000.
How is the EPS monthly pension calculated?
EPS Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) ÷ 70. Pensionable Salary is the average of the last 60 months of Basic+DA, capped at ₹15,000/month. Pensionable Service is your total years under EPFO, capped at 35 years. Example: 30 years service, final salary ₹30,000 → capped at ₹15,000 → Pension = (15,000 × 30) ÷ 70 = ₹6,428/month. You must have a minimum of 10 years of eligible service to claim the EPS pension.
Is EPF interest taxable?
From FY 2021-22, interest earned on employee contributions exceeding ₹2.5 lakh per year is taxable at your applicable income tax slab rate. This threshold was introduced by the Finance Act 2021. For contributions below ₹2.5 lakh/year, interest remains fully tax-free. Employer contributions up to 12% of salary are always fully tax-exempt. EPF withdrawal after 5 continuous years of service is completely tax-free — this EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status makes EPF one of the most tax-efficient retirement vehicles in India.
What happens to my EPF if I change jobs?
Your EPF account is portable across employers via UAN (Universal Account Number). When you change jobs, transfer your existing EPF balance to your new employer using Form 13 online through the EPFO Unified Member Portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in). The accumulated balance continues to earn interest. Withdrawing PF before completing 5 years of continuous service makes the entire amount taxable and attracts 10% TDS (if PAN is provided) or 34.6% TDS (without PAN).