By way of an internal Circular dated April 27, 2022 the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (‘EPFO’) has clarified the statutory position of Paragraph 69(1)(a) under Paragraph 83 of the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 (‘EPF Scheme’) as per which an international worker may withdraw full employee provident fund (‘EPF’) amount standing to his credit after attaining the prescribed statutory retirement age (i.e., 58 years).
The Circular clarifies that accumulation in the provident fund can be withdrawn by international workers from countries not having a social security agreement with India after they attain the age of 58 years, provided they have ceased to be in employment of an EPF covered establishment.
Thereby, clarifying that such withdrawal facility is not limited to only those international workers who hail from a country having social security agreement with India.