New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has undertaken a fresh round of reforms designed to help subscribers access their retiral funds ahead of time. Notable among these is its easing of premature withdrawal rules: one can withdraw up to 75% of the money in one's account, with the rest held back as a prudential measure for future release.

Apart from a job loss or voluntary exit from a payroll, the reasons one could present for it have been re-slotted into three broad categories: one, essential needs, defined to include illness, education and marriage; two, housing; and three, special circumstances, which one need not explain to secure the EPFO's approval. Plus, members can tap their provident funds (PFs) ...