New Delhi: Of the 15.24 lakh applications submitted to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for higher pension following the Supreme Court's November 2022 order, 3.73 lakh applicants have been found eligible. Of these, 1,49,806 retired applicants have received Pension Payment Orders (PPOs), the final step required for pension disbursal, according to the ministry. Of the 17.49 lakh applications received for higher pension under the Supreme Court ruling, employers did not forward 2.24 lakh applications to the EPFO. After various verifications by the EPFO, demand letters asking applicants to deposit the additional contribution required for the higher pension were issued in 4.31 lakh cases. This left 3.73 lakh applicants eligible for higher pension, meaning roughly one in four of those who submitted joint options ultimately qualified.