Nearly 47 lakh beneficiaries under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95) continue to receive monthly pensions below Rs 9,000, highlighting deep structural concerns within India’s retirement framework. The issue has reignited debate over pension adequacy, inflation protection and social security reforms for private sector workers. While the scheme was designed to provide post-retirement income stability, rising living costs have eroded its real value. Policymakers face mounting pressure to reassess minimum pension guarantees and funding mechanisms.