HOW TO WITHDRAW PF AMOUNT ONLINE AND OFFLINE

EPFO members can withdraw their whole PF balance at or before retirement for any valid reason. They can also withdraw partial PF contributions for specific reasons, such as medical expenses, education, marriage, or the purchase of a new home, if specific requirements, such as service length, age, and ownership, are satisfied.

EPFO recently implemented multiple changes to make withdrawals easier, including an auto-claim process and Aadhaar-based authentication. In this blog post, we will explain how to withdraw PF funds both online and offline.

 

Key Takeaways

●  EPF withdrawals can be performed electronically through the EPFO portal or offline using a physical form.

●   Aadhaar-verified UAN holders with valid KYC can withdraw PF without employer consent.

●   Online claims require an active UAN, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and current KYC information (Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account).

●   Offline withdrawals require the Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar or Non-Aadhaar) and may also need employer authentication.

●   Partial PF withdrawals are permitted for particular purposes, such as schooling, medical emergencies, or property ownership, subject to eligibility.

●   Claims filed online are typically processed between 7-15 business days.

 

What is the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF)?

EPF is a retirement savings plan in which both employees and employers invest a percentage of the employee's salary. If specific conditions are met, the accumulating funds can be withdrawn tax-free.

The main objective of this investment tool is to provide financial protection and security to employees upon retirement. The present-day EPF interest rate is fixed at 8.25%.

If you want to withdraw the PF amount, you are eligible to withdraw up to 75% of your PF after one month of unemployment and the full 100% after two months. Partial withdrawals are permitted for medical, educational, home loan, or marriage purposes; the restrictions vary depending on the cause and years of service.

Let’s understand further how to withdraw the PF amount.

 

How to Withdraw PF Amount Online or Offline?

Employees can cash out their Provident Fund (PF) amount online using the EPFO portal or offline by submitting a physical form. Here's how both processes operate:

Online PF Withdrawal via EPFO Portal

The EPFO also has an online withdrawal option, making the whole procedure more convenient and less time-consuming. The EPFO has decreased the validation steps from the existing 27 to 18. It wants to make it even shorter in the future.

According to EPFO's current recommendations, for Aadhaar-verified UANs with complete KYC, employer verification is not necessary for online PF transfers and claims.

Aadhaar-verified UAN holders can now amend numerous details online, including their name, date of birth, gender, and marital status, without requiring employer consent. However, some complex problems might still need EPFO office assistance.

Before answering how to withdraw PF amount through the EPF portal, let us first explain the conditions that must be met for withdrawal:

●       First, check UAN number (Universal Account Number), whether it’s activated or not, and if the mobile number used to activate the UAN is operational.

●      The UAN should be linked to your KYC, which includes Aadhaar, PAN, bank data, and the IFSC code.

●       Before applying for withdrawal, it's a good idea to check PF balance online to know your available amount and plan accordingly.

If the conditions listed above are met, the previous employer is not required to attest to the withdrawal application.

Here are the steps for how to withdraw PF online:

1. Go to the EPFO Member Portal.
2. Log in to the portal with the help of your UAN, password, and captcha.
3. Next, click on ‘Online Services’ and then ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C)’.
4. Then, verify details by checking your KYC, bank, and Aadhaar details.
5. The next step is to click ‘Proceed for Online Claim’.
6. Then select the appropriate claim type (full, partial, pension).
7. At the end, fill in the required info, upload documents (if asked), and submit using Aadhaar OTP.

Read on further in order to know the PF withdrawal process through offline application.

 

Offline PF Withdrawal via Physical Application

To withdraw your EPF balance, first download the new Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar)/Composite Claim Form (non-Aadhaar).

Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar):

●      If you have placed your Aadhaar and bank details on the UAN portal and your UAN has been activated, complete the Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar).

●      Fill up and submit the paperwork to the appropriate jurisdictional EPFO office without the employer's attestation.

Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar):

●      If your Aadhaar and bank details have not been seeded on the UAN portal, you may utilize the Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar).

●      Complete the form and submit it, along with the employer's attestation, to the relevant jurisdictional EPFO office.

​​It should also be noted that in the case of a partial withdrawal of EPF funds by an employee for various reasons, the obligation to provide multiple documents has been relaxed, and the EPF members have the option to self-certify.  

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FAQs

1.    Is employer approval required for online PF withdrawal?

No, if your UAN is Aadhaar-verified and your KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN, bank) are updated, there is no requirement for approval from the employer while withdrawing your PF online.

2.    Can I withdraw my PF without resigning from my job?

You cannot take your whole PF while still employed, although partial withdrawals are permitted for particular circumstances such as medical treatment, a home loan, or education.

3.    How long does PF withdrawal take online?

Online PF claims are typically handled within 7 to 10 business days, and the funds are credited immediately to your associated bank account.

4.    What if I forgot my UAN password?

If you forget your UAN password, you can reset your password on the EPFO Member Portal using your UAN and Aadhaar-linked mobile number by clicking on ‘Forgot Password’.

5.    How to check PF claim status?

First, log in to the EPFO Member Portal, then go to ‘Online Services’ and then click on ‘Track Claim Status’, and view the real-time status of your withdrawal claim.