New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- When the Supreme Court ruled on 4 November 2022 that Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) members could opt for a pension calculated on actual salaries instead of the erstwhile Rs.15,000 ceiling, it appeared to be a straightforward win for retirement planning.

The court permitted employees who had contributed to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) on wages exceeding the statutory ceiling to now receive a pension based on their actual salary. Eligible members were given until 11 July 2023 to submit their applications for this higher pension option.

What has emerged since that deadline tells a different story. Thousands of applications have been rejected or remain stuck in processing, not because employees la...