EPFO Launches New System for Easy PF Transfer on Job Change
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has brought major relief for millions of workers across the country. Now, when you change jobs, transferring your Provident Fund (PF) account will be faster and simpler than ever. EPFO has launched a revamped Form 13 software that removes the need for employer approval in most PF transfers, making the whole process smooth and hassle-free.
This big step has been introduced under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour & Employment. It aims to make the life of employees easier and strengthen the service quality of EPFO.
What Has Changed in the EPFO PF Transfer Process?
Earlier, transferring a PF balance involved two different EPFO offices — the office where your old account was maintained (Source Office) and the one where the new account was to be created (Destination Office). The process used to require approvals from both offices, often causing delays and confusion for employees.
But now, things have changed.
With the launch of the revised Form 13 software, the requirement for approval from the Destination Office has been removed. Once the Source Office approves your transfer claim, your PF money will directly move to your new account without any additional approval.
This major reform is expected to benefit over 1.25 crore EPFO members each year. It will also help transfer around ₹90,000 crore annually with much greater speed and accuracy.
The Ministry said this move will improve the “ease of living” for all EPFO members and reduce the problems usually faced during account transfers.
How Will EPFO PF Transfer Process Benefit the Employees?
This new system brings several direct benefits for employees:
- Faster Transfer: No need to wait for approvals from multiple offices.
- Simple Process: Just one approval from the Source Office is enough.
- More Transparency: Along with the transfer, members will receive a detailed statement showing the breakup of their PF balance into taxable and non-taxable parts.
- Better Tax Management: This will make the calculation of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on taxable PF interest easier and more accurate.
In short, PF account transfers will now be quicker, clearer, and much less stressful.
EPFO Introduces Bulk UAN Generation Facility
Along with easing the transfer process, EPFO has also launched another important facility — bulk generation of UANs (Universal Account Numbers).
Earlier, generating a UAN required linking it with Aadhaar. But under the new system, EPFO offices can now create UANs based on member ID and other available information, even if Aadhaar details are not immediately available.
However, to maintain security:
- All such UANs will stay inactive until Aadhaar is linked.
- The balance amounts will still be visible under these inactive UANs.
- Only after successful Aadhaar verification will the UAN become fully active.
This facility ensures that employees do not face unnecessary delays in accessing their PF funds, especially when changing jobs or joining a new company.
Why Is EPFO PF Transfer Process Update Important for Employees?
The government has taken these steps to make PF services more user-friendly and secure. Digital frauds and delays have been common complaints among EPFO members in recent years. By simplifying PF transfers and speeding up UAN generation, EPFO hopes to cut down on grievances and provide faster settlements.
These improvements are also expected to:
- Speed up crediting of funds in members’ accounts
- Reduce long-pending claims and settlement delays
- Strengthen trust among employees in the EPFO system
The Ministry of Labour & Employment believes that such reforms will significantly enhance the overall service experience for all EPFO members.
How Can You Check Your PF Balance?
EPFO also offers two simple ways for employees to check their PF balance easily:
- Missed Call Service:
Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. You will get an SMS with your latest PF balance details. - SMS Service:
Send an SMS to 7738299899 in this format:EPFOHO UAN <language code>.
For example, to receive details in Hindi, type:EPFOHO UAN HIN.
This service is available in about 12 languages for the convenience of all members.
How Will These Changes Benefit EPFO Members?
With these new steps, EPFO has shown a strong commitment to improving the experience of its members. Faster PF transfers, bulk UAN generation, and better security measures are all part of creating a smoother and more reliable Provident Fund service.
If you are planning a job switch or have recently changed your employer, you can now relax knowing that your PF account transfer will be handled faster and with minimum effort.
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