How to Withdraw Your EPF Amount

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement fund for salaried individuals and was established by the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The EPF is a good way for working people to save money and encourage a saving habit in corporate individuals.

The EPF was initially meant for industrial workers but was extended later to every salaried employee. As per the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, all organizations employing 20 people or more, are required to register with EPF to make contributions every month. 12% of the average basic monthly salary goes into the PF account as the 'employee contribution,' and the same amount is contributed as the 'employer contribution' to the fund.

The funds should ideally be withdrawn at retirement since the EPF's purpose is to provide employees with a source of income post retirement. However, in some cases, the EPFO allows subscribers to withdraw the funds from their accounts before retirement. Most of the companies require a correctly filled withdrawal form along with an attached blank cheque to be processed via the companies' EPF office. The company's HR manager would be the best person to give information regarding this.

Why Early Withdrawal of PF is Not a Good Idea

The PF is a significant financial instrument for maximizing your retirement savings at an attractive rate of 8.75% p.a. The interest collected is tax-free, which makes a withdrawal undesirable unless necessary. Withdrawal of PF funds while in employment without an appropriate reason is against the rules. In case of a job switch, a transfer of EPF is advisable over a withdrawal.

Situations Where PF Withdrawal is Difficult

Case 1: It has been five years since Raju left his job, but he hasn't withdrawn his PF amount. When he initiated the process of withdrawal, he came to know that his previous company has become defunct. Raju doesn't know how to get his PF amount which has exceeded Rs. 2,00,000.

Case 2: Lavanya has submitted the relevant documents for withdrawal of PF amount to her previous employer. But the employer has been sitting on the form for a while and has taken no action on it. After two months, Lavanya has not been able to get her employer to initiate the process, and her PF account is still stuck.

There are several other scenarios where it might be difficult to access your PF amount. But there are different ways to get to it if you really need to withdraw from your PF account.

How to Withdraw Your PF Amount?

You can withdraw your PF amount when you are switching your job. You need to fill in Form 19, which is available with employers or can be downloaded from the EPFO website. You must then submit the application to the regional EPF office. You can then expect your PF amount along with the collected interest within three months from the date of submission. There are two different approaches to withdrawing your PF amount.

1. You could apply for PF amount through your Universal Account Number (UAN). Applying through UAN doesn't require your previous employer's approval for processing your application. A minor problem could arise from the fact that most employers do not share the UAN with their employees.

2. You can submit your PF withdrawal form directly to the regional PF Office. You need to download Form 19, fill the details, and send the application to the regional PF Office along with an identity proof attested by any one of the following:

a.Bank Managers of any public or private sector bank branch

b.Gazetted Officers serving in the central or state government

c.City Magistrate/Post Master/Sub Post Master/Village Panchayat President/Public Notary

You need to attach a proof of employment letter and proof of non-cooperation from the employer as well.

Conditions Permitting PF Withdrawal

1. Retirement

2. 60 days of unemployment

Conditions Permitting a Partial PF Withdrawal

1. Marriage

2. Education

3. Purchase or construction of real estate

4. House renovation

5. Repayment of home loans

6. 12 months before retirement

For a partial withdrawal, an employee has to serve a specific number of years in an organization. There are limitations to the amount that can be withdrawn.

How to File a PF Withdrawal Application

You can submit withdrawal claims online or through a physical form.

1. Physical form submission:

You must download a Composite Claim Form (AADHAR) from the EPFO website, fill in the correct details and submit to the respective EPFO office for approval. For a Non-AADHAR Composite Claim Form, you should get it attested by your previous employer before submitting for processing.

2. Online form submission:

• You can file a withdrawal claim through your UAN on the EPFO portal.
• You should ensure that your UAN is activated and your bank details and KYC documentation are updated on the portal.
• Your UAN is usually printed on your salary slips.
• You should then login to the EPFO website using your UAN and Password and verify KYC details by clicking the 'manage' tab.
• Visit 'Our Services' tab and click on the 'Claim' tab from the list.
• Choose the type of withdrawal claim you wish to file under the section 'I Want to Apply For full, partial or pension withdrawal. This drop-down list can be seen if you are eligible to avail a withdrawal.
• Your claim is then forwarded to your employer for approval post which you receive the PF amount in your account within ten days.

How to Withdraw EPF Without Your Employer's Signature

It could be challenging to get your previous employer to sign your PF withdrawal application if you parted on a sad note. The situation can be both difficult and impractical. EPFO has simplified all EPF processes including PF withdrawals. There are two ways to make a PF withdrawal without requiring your employer's signature.

1. Withdrawal with an AADHAR card

If your AADHAR card is linked to your account on the EPFO portal, the withdrawal process becomes a lot easier. Before that, your AADHAR card and salary bank account must be verified by your employer, and the details must be embedded in EPFO portal.

• You should download three new EPF forms to make a withdrawal Form 19, Form 31, and Form 10C from the EPFO portal.
• Next, enter your name (as given in your UAN, AADHAR card, and bank account), registered mobile number, address, PAN card details, date of joining and the reason for leaving the previous establishment on the relevant form.
• Form 19 UAN can be used for making PF withdrawals, and Form 10C can be used for making withdrawals from the pension benefits.
• Attach a canceled cheque with the filled-out form to verify your bank account number and submit the application to the nearest EPF office.

Before submission, you should ensure that your bank account number and details given in the form should match those in the UAN database. Discrepancies could lead to disapproval from EPFO to make withdrawals from your EPF.

2. Withdrawal without an AADHAR card

If you do not have an AADHAR card, making PF withdrawals can get tedious without your employer's signature. In addition to steps mentioned in the earlier approach, you must obtain an attestation on the form from a Gazetted officer, magistrate, manager of the bank branch of your salary account or a member of the EPFO. You must get stamped signatures on every page of the filled-out form and bank detail documents. You have to attach a letter stating the reason for direct application as well along with an indemnity bond on a Rs. 100 stamp paper. You must also attach copies of your payslips, employee ID card, appointment letter, Form 19, and a copy of your KYC documents.

PF joint declaration form

The PF joint declaration form is a form co-signed by employers and their employees when the total wages exceed the wage ceiling limit of Rs. 6,500 per month. You can download the form from the EPFO member portal. Follow these steps to fill out the form.

1. Address your form to the regional PF Commissioner.

2. Give yours and your employer's name, your father/husband's name, PF account number, your date of birth, your date of joining and leaving your previous employer.

3. Attach a proof of identification, like AADHAR card, passport or driving license.

4. Sign the form and get it attested and stamped by a person of relevant authority like a Gazetted officer.

EPF Logins for Employers

Making contributions to the employees' EPF funds has become easier for employers with the introduction of the member portal of EPFO. Employers must first register with the member portal before making EPF contributions, checking transactions and balances and attesting employees' claims digitally. Follow the steps below to login to an employer's account using the EPFO's portal.

1. If you are an employer, you first need to register your company with the EPFO member portal. Log on to the EPFO website. enter the state in which your company is situated and the establishment code.

2. On completion of registration, you can log in through this link - https://employerclaims.epfoservices.in/

3. Enter the registered username and password to login to your account.

You can now use the account to make contributions, sign employees' claims, check balances, etc.

EPF Customer Care

If you need to contact the EPFO for queries or grievances, you can access the telephone number and email id of the regional EPF office from the EPFO member portal. A dedicated EPF customer care division will address your queries. If the member portal is down, the customer care division will intimate members through their toll-free number in case of delays in transfer claims. Follow these steps to find the customer care number:

1. Visit the EPFO portal website at https://www.epfbng.kar.nic.in.

2. Click on the tab, 'contact us' on the top.

3. Find the toll-free number of the nearest regional EPF office and call to get your queries answered.

The Full Statement of EPF Balance

The launch of EPFO member portal has made it easier to check your balance, access the full balance statement, or download the PF passbook in just a few clicks. Follow the steps below to check your balance statement.

1. Login to the EPF balance page at https://www.epfindia.com/site_en/KYEPFB.php.

2. Click on 'know your balance' tool button at the bottom of the page.

3. Select the state where your PF account was created.

4. Enter your name (as given in EPF account), EPF account number, and registered mobile number and click 'submit.'

5. You can check your balance statement and download a copy by clicking on 'download passbook.'