The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement savings scheme governed by the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and managed by the Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

It is a compulsory savings mechanism for salaried employees in India working in organisations with 20 or more employees. A portion of the employee’ salary (12% of basic wages) is contributed to the EPF account monthly, with a matching contribution by the employer.

To streamline multiple PF accounts across various employments and enhance transparency, the Universal Account Number (UAN) was introduced by the EPFO. The UAN is a unique 12-digit number allotted to each employee contributing to the EPF.

It remains constant throughout the individual’s working life, regardless of job changes. Every time an employee switches jobs, a new PF account number is created, which is then linked to the same UAN, ensuring centralized control and easy tracking of PF balances and services.

The introduction of UAN has significantly digitized and simplified the PF management process. Through the UAN Member e-SEWA portal, employees can:

Check their balance
Update KYC details
Transfer PF between accounts
Submit online claims for withdrawals.

The seamless integration of UAN with Aadhaar, PAN and bank accounts has enabled complete online processing of PF-related services, especially withdrawals, without the need for visiting EPFO offices or submitting physical documents in most cases.

As of FY 2024–25, with the push for Digital India, the EPFO has further enhanced its online systems to ensure faster settlements and user-friendly experiences. Knowing how to leverage the UAN system is crucial for any working professional seeking efficient access to their retirement savings.

Eligibility of Withdrawing EPF Online

EPF can be withdrawn fully or partially, depending on specific conditions:

Full Withdrawal

After retirement (upon attaining 58 years of age)
After resignation or termination, with 2 months of unemployment.
In case of permanent disability or death(by nominee/legal heir).

Partial Withdrawal (Advance)

Permitted under specific circumstances like:

Medical emergencies
Home purchase/construction
Marriage or education of self or family
Unemployment (up to 75%) after 1 month

Key Conditions

UAN must be activated and Aadhar-linked.
KYC (Aadhar, PAN, bank) must be verified.
Minimum service-period required for some types of advances (e.g., 5years for house construction).

Tax implications apply if EPF is withdrawn before 5 years of continuous service.

Prerequisites Before Online Withdrawal

Before applying for PF withdrawal online, ensure the following requirements are completed for a smooth and successful claim.

Requirement	Details
UAN Activation	UAN must be activated via the EPFO Member Portal using Aadhaar, PAN, or mobile number.
Aadhaar Linking	Aadhaar should be linked and verified with UAN for e-verification during the claim.
Bank Account Link	Active bank account (with correct IFSC) must be linked and verified under UAN.
PAN Linking	PAN must be seeded and verified—mandatory for claims above ₹50,000 or service < 5 years.
KYC Verification	Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details should be KYC-approved by the employer and visible as “Verified” in the UAN portal.

Once all these are in place, the online withdrawal process becomes paperless and seamless.

Step-by-Step Process to Withdraw PF Online (FY 2024-25)

Follow these steps below to withdraw your EPF online using the UAN Member Portal:

Visit the EPFO Member Portal and login using your UAN and password.

From the top menu, click on the ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Claim (Form-31,19 & 10C).

Verify your details (Name, PAN, Aadhar, Bank details) as displayed on the screen.

Click on the ‘Proceed for Online Claim’ if the details are correct.

Choose the type of withdrawal:

Form 19- Final PF settlement
Form 10C- Pension withdrawal
Form 31- Partial PF advance

Fill in the required details (purpose, amount, etc.) and upload the documents, if required.

Accept the declaration and submit the claim using Aadhar-based OTP verification.

Once submitted, you’ll receive an SMS confirmation. The claim is usually processed within 5-15 working days.

Types of EPF Withdrawal Forms and their Uses

Form	Purpose	When to Use
Form 19	Final settlement of EPF balance	On retirement, job exit (after 2 months of unemployment)
Form 10C	Withdrawal of pension amount	Along with Form 19, after leaving job before 10 years of service
Form 31	Partial withdrawal (advance)	For housing, medical, education, or other eligible purposes

These forms are available online through the UAN portal and are auto populated with user details for easy submission.

Timeframe, Status Tracking & Settlement Process

Processing time: Usually 5-15 working days post submission.

Tracking Status:

Login to the UAN portal.
Go to ‘Online Services > Track claim status’.

Notifications: EPFO sends updates via SMS and email on registered contact details.

Final credit is made directly to your linked bank account once approved.

Common Reasons for Rejection and How to Avoid Them

Reason	How to Avoid
KYC not updated or mismatched	Ensure Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are correct and verified
Incomplete form or missing documents	Fill all fields carefully; attach documents where required
Service conditions not met	Check eligibility (e.g., minimum service period for some advances)
Bank details mismatch or inactive account	Use an active, correctly linked bank account with valid IFSC

Being careful during the application helps avoid unnecessary delays or rejection.

Recent Updates and Changes for FY 2024-25

Aadhar OTP verification is now mandatory for online claims.
Higher withdrawal limits allowed for medical and natural calamity-related claims.
EPFO is integrating more AI-based claim tracking for quicker resolutions.
No need for employer approval for Aadhar-verified KYC compliant users in most cases.
Mobile app UMANG and DigiLocker integration has improved access and transparency.

Conclusion

With digital systems now at the forefront, withdrawing your EPF online using UAN is easier than ever. By ensuring your UAN is activated, KYC is verified, and forms are submitted correctly, the process becomes entirely paperless and quick. Employees are encouraged to manage their PF proactively through the UAN portal or UMANG app, ensuring easy access to retirement funds when needed. Always review updated EPFO guidelines for any changes relevant to your claim.

Bonus Tip

If you’ve resigned or left your job before completing 6 months of service:

You can withdraw your EPF amount using Form 19.
You cannot withdraw EPS (pension amount) using Form 10C, as it requires a minimum of 6 months of continuous service.

The pension portion may be claimed later if you complete eligible service under a future employer using the same UAN.

FAQs

Can I withdraw my full PF amount without waiting for 2 months after leaving a job?
Only in cases like permanent disability, female employees leaving due to marriage or childbirth, or migration abroad is the 2-month waiting period waived.
What if my Aadhaar details don’t match UAN records?
Your online claim will be rejected. You must first update and correct the mismatch in the UAN portal under the ‘Manage > Modify Basic Details’ section.
Can I withdraw pension (EPS) amount if I’ve worked less than 6 months?
No, you’re not eligible for EPS withdrawal via Form 10C if your service period is less than 6 months.