Retirement fund body EPFO has extended the deadline for submission of life certificates by pensioners till February 28, a move which would benefit over 35 lakh persons who could not submit the document by November because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pensioners who could not submit their life certificates within the November 30 deadline would get pension every month till February.

“In view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the vulnerability of elderly population to the virus, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the time limit up to February 28, 2021 for submission of Jeevan Pramaan Patra in respect of pensioners drawing pension under EPS 1995 (Employees’ Pension Scheme-1995) and whose life certificate is due in any month till February 28, 2021,” a labour ministry statement said.

At present, a pensioner can submit his life certificate anytime during the year up to November 30, which is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue.