EPFO Membership and Pension Growth Drive India's Coverage Gains

India's social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 68.4 per cent in 2026, according to a government factsheet released on Saturday. The expansion has extended the safety net to more than one billion people, marking a major shift in how workers are protected.

The factsheet highlights the role of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, which has widened its reach as India's formal workforce has grown. Its progress is visible in membership numbers, institutional presence and pension support.

Contributing membership has seen a notable rise. The number of contributing members climbed from 3.49 crore in 2014-15 to close to 7.98 crore as of September 16, 2026. This represents growth of about 4.49 crore contributing members over the period.

An expanding employer base supports this growth. As of September 2026, 7.68 lakh establishments were contributing to EPFO, offering a strong institutional platform for extending social security coverage to eligible workers.

Pension support has grown along with membership. In 2014-15, EPFO paid pensions to 51.04 lakh pensioners. As of September 2026, about 82 lakh pensioners were receiving pension benefits, an addition of more than 31 lakh.

The volume of benefits has also risen significantly. Some 1.30 crore claims were settled in 2014-15. In the year leading up to October 2026, EPFO settled 6.42 crore claims, reflecting the larger scale of services available to members and beneficiaries.

The factsheet said further expansion is underway through wider EPFO coverage, digital service delivery and labour welfare reforms. Provident fund, pension, insurance and social assistance initiatives are helping workers in both formal and informal jobs. Simplified compliance and technology-enabled platforms are strengthening access to benefits, contributing to a more inclusive and accessible system.