EPFO adds 1.27 mn subscribers in October, clocks 10.2% YoY increase

Retirement fund body EPFO has added 12.73 lakh net subscribers in October, registering an increase of 10.22 per cent compared to the same month last year, according to the latest payroll data.

"The provisional payroll data of EPFO released on 20th December 2021 highlights that EPFO has added 12.73 lakh net subscribers during the month of October 2021," a labour ministry statement said.

According to the statement, year-on-year comparison shows an increase of around 10.22 per cent in net payroll additions in October, 2021 as compared to 11.55 lakh net subscribers added during October 2020.

Of the total 12.73 lakh net subscribers added, 7.57 lakh new members have been enrolled under EPF & MP Act, 1952 for the first time.

Approximately 5.16 lakh net subscribers exited but rejoined EPFO by opting to continue their membership with EPFO by transferring their PF accumulations from previous to present PF account instead of opting for final withdrawal, it stated.

It stated, age-wise comparison of payroll data shows that the age-group of 22-25 years has registered the highest number of net enrolments with 3.37 lakh additions during October, 2021.

Age-group of 18-21 also registered a healthy addition of around 2.50 lakh net enrolments. Age-groups of 18-25 years have contributed around 46.12 per cent of total net subscriber additions in October, 2021. Members of these age-groups are usually fresh hands in the job market and signifies a crucial stage for an individual's potential in terms of earning capacity.

State-wise comparison of payroll figures highlights that the establishments covered in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are in lead by adding approximately 7.72 lakh subscribers during the month, which is around 60.64 per cent of total net payroll addition across all age groups.

Gender-wise analysis indicates that net share of female enrolment during the month is 2.69 lakh. Share of female enrolment is approximately 21.14 per cent of the total net subscribers addition during the month of October, 2021.

Industry-wise payroll data indicates that expert services' category (consisting of manpower agencies, private security agencies and small contractors etc.) constitutes 40.73 per cent of total subscriber addition during the month. In addition, growing trend in net payroll additions has been noted in industries like Paper, rice milling, financing establishments etc.

The payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise, as updation of employee record is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month. From the month of May-2018, EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period October 2017 onwards.

The EPFO provides provident fund, pension benefits to the members on their retirement and family pension & insurance benefits to their families in case of untimely death of the member.

The EPFO is country's principal organization responsible for providing social security benefits to the organized/semi-organized sector workforce covered under the statute of EPF & MP Act, 1952.