EPF Transfer Process
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement savings plan in India run by the government. It helps working people save money for the future.
Every month, you and your employer both add money to your EPF account. This is usually 12% of your basic salary. The money also earns interest over time.
If you change jobs or want to combine your PF accounts, you need to transfer your PF from one company to another. It is a simple process. It keeps your savings safe and makes it easier to manage your money for the future.
Documents Needed to Transfer PF online
- UAN:
Your PF account number
- KYC documents:
Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details
- Employer details:
PF details of your old and new company, and your last working date
- Form 13:
A form you need to fill out and submit for PF transfer
Step-by-Step Guide to EPF Transfer Process
You can transfer your PF online by following these easy steps:
- Step 1
Log in to the EPFO portal using your UAN and password.
- Step 2
Go to Online Services and click on "One Member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request)".
- Step 3
Check your personal details and your current PF account.
- Step 4
Click "Get Details" to see your old PF account details.
- Step 5
Choose your old employer or current employer to approve the request, depending on who is available to verify it. Enter your Member ID or UAN.
- Step 6
Click "Get OTP", enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number, and submit the request.
After this, your employer will approve the transfer online. You may also need to fill out Form 13, download it, sign it, and submit it to the selected employer within 10 days.
How to Check EPF Transfer Status
You can easily check your PF transfer status online by following these steps:
- Step 1
Go to the EPFO member portal
- Step 2
Log in using your UAN and password
- Step 3
Click on “Online Services”
- Step 4
Select “Track Claim Status”
- Step 5
Check your Transfer Claim Status to see the update
Why You Should Transfer Your PF?
When a person starts working in a company registered under PF, they get a PF account. Every month, both the employee and employer add money to this account, and it also earns interest until it is used.
People often change jobs in the early or middle part of their career. When this happens, they may wonder what happens to their old PF account.
In such cases, there are two choices:
- Step 1
You can withdraw your PF money if you stay unemployed for up to 60 days
- Step 2
Or you can transfer your PF to your new job's account
It is usually better to transfer your PF instead of withdrawing it. This helps you keep saving for retirement in one place.
Also, if you withdraw PF before completing 5 years of continuous service, you may have to pay tax on it.
How to Use UAN to Transfer PF Online
The EPFO has made PF services easier by using online systems. This helps employees and employers manage PF accounts more quickly, especially for PF transfer and withdrawal.
To make things simpler, EPFO introduced the Universal Account Number (UAN). This is a unique number that stays the same throughout your working life.
With UAN, you can connect all your PF accounts from different jobs in one place. Every time you change jobs, your new PF account gets linked to your UAN.
UAN helps you with many things, such as:
- Step 1
Connecting all your old and new PF accounts
- Step 2
Showing an updated PF passbook with all details
- Step 3
Helping transfer PF from one job to another easily
- Step 4
Giving SMS updates when money is added to your PF account
- Step 5
Making the PF transfer easier when you change jobs
In simple words, UAN helps you keep all your PF money in one account and makes it easy to manage your savings.
Benefits of Transferring EPF Online
Transferring your PF instead of withdrawing it has many benefits:
- If you withdraw PF before 5 years, you may have to pay tax. But if you transfer it and keep it for 5 years, it can become tax-free.
- Your PF earns interest, and it grows over time. If you withdraw and open a new account, you may lose some interest benefits.
- Keeping the same PF account for a long time helps you stay eligible for pension benefits after age 58. If you keep closing and reopening accounts, you may lose this benefit.
In simple words, transferring PF helps you save more money, pay less tax, and get better retirement benefits.
Quick Access to EPFO Services
Things to Remember Before Transferring PF Online
Before you transfer your PF, keep these simple points in mind:
- 01
Check that your old PF account is eligible for transfer (usually after some work experience in that company).
- 02
Make sure your UAN is active, and your KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account) are updated.
- 03
Inform your current employer and submit any documents they ask for.
- 04
Decide if you want to do the transfer online or offline, based on what is easier for you.
- 05
Keep copies of all forms and details for your records.
- 06
Check if any rules or charges apply to the transfer process.
- 07
After applying, keep checking the status on the EPFO portal.
- 08
Check that your old and new PF account details are correct.
In simple words, always check your details carefully and keep track of your PF transfer until it is completed.
FAQs
No, you cannot change details like father's name, date of birth, date of joining, or date of exit in the EPFO database.
Yes, but the amount already withdrawn will not be added. Only the remaining balance can be transferred to your new PF account.
You can see the updated status of your claim under “View the status of transfer claims” in the CLAIM tab on the EPFO portal.
Yes, you need to print the submitted claim form, sign it, and give it to your employer.