The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has around Rs.27,000 crore lying in inoperative accounts. There are chances that a small portion of this unclaimed money is yours. Many employees feel that the EPF account transfer is a cumbersome process and is a painful experience. It is often observed that we just ignore to transfer the funds to the existing EPF account.
EPFO do not pay interest on the EPF account, where no contributions (no activity) have been received for 36 or more months continuously. EPFO considers this type of account as an ‘Inoperative EPF Account.’ It is a daunting task to trace an inoperative EPF account and also we hardly get any help or support from EPFO.
In this post, let us understand – How to trace an inoperative EPF account? How to trace an old Employee Provident Fund a/c? What is EPFO’s online inoperative EPF account help-desk? What is the procedure to submit an online request?
Now, things are changing for the better at EPFO. It’s a good time to remember your long forgotten EPF account. And to make your job of staking a claim easier, an EPFO inoperative account online helpdesk has been launched recently.
The helpdesk works on the basis of how much and how accurate is the information that you can provide about your old / dormant EPF account(s). So, the more you provide, the better it is.
After submitting the request to the helpdesk, your query will be forwarded to the concerned EPFO’s Field Officer (Regional office). This happens if you have provided your old company’s code (Establishment code). If you have not provided the establishment code, your query is routed to the centralized EPFO helpdesk. They will call you to get more details and then your query will be forwarded to the concerned field officer to trace the old & inoperative EPF account.
Related Latest Article : Why should you Withdraw Old EPF Account Balance? | In-operative EPF A/c Timeline
How can I check the status of my request on EPF Inoperative Account Helpdesk online portal?
EPFO helpdesk portal has a facility to track the status of your request(s), based on the reference number.
Once your account is traced by the EPFO’s field officer, you will be notified through an SMS. You need to either withdraw the monies (by submitting Form 9) or transfer your old EPF account to your current EPF account.
If you are currently employed and have activated your Universal Account Number (UAN), link the old EPF account with your current EPF Account. Once the linking is complete, you can transfer the EPF funds online.
Trace and track your old EPF accounts. Even if the amount of your claim is small, reclaim it NOW. Kindly share your views on EPF inoperative EPF account help-desk facility. Cheers!
Latest Update (30-March-2016) : The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has decided to provide Interest on Inoperative Accounts from 1st April, 2016.
Latest News (31-Oct-2016) : ‘Rate of Interest on Inoperative EPF accounts’ – EPFO to pay 8.8% as interest on Inoperative EPF (Employee Provident Fund) accounts. In case of EPF, if there is no contribution paid during the last 36 months, then that account is classified as “inoperative”. The inoperative accounts are not being paid interest since 2011. Around Rs 42,000 crore is lying in “inoperative accounts” across the country. About 9.70 crore employees will benefit from this proposed notification. Henceforth, the concept of Inoperative accounts will cease to exist. (Source : PTI & Union Labour Ministry)
Latest update (16-Nov-2017) : If an employee who is a member of EPF scheme, quits or retires from his employment and continues holding the accumulated PF balance, he/she has to pay tax on interest from the date of unemployment. So, the interest on EPF is tax-exempt only when the member is employed and the Interest credited to an employee provident fund (EPF) account after an individual ceases to be in employment is taxable in his/her hands in the year of credit. Interest that has been accrued post employment is taxable. This is as per the recent order by Income tax appellate Tribunal.
(Source: Times of India & Moneycontrol)
Continue Reading : ‘How to search, find and reclaim monies lying in inoperative Bank Accounts?’
(Reference : EPFO User Manual. Photo Credit : rediff.com)
This post was last modified on July 10, 2023 6:30 pm
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is not just about meeting deadlines—it’s about choosing the…
Retirement planning in India is often misunderstood. Many people think any long-term savings or investment…
You’ve probably seen the same property quoted at different prices. One person says ₹60 lakh,…
Buying insurance is easy. Getting your claim settled—that’s where the real test begins. For any…
Gifting immovable property—like land, plots, or houses—is super common in India. Families often do it…
Most people believe that investing alone is enough to create wealth. But in reality, many…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
hi srikant as I see there is no option of inoperative account helpdesk in epf website kindly help
Dear Satender,
You may visit this new grievance redressal portal link ..
Related article : EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
Hello Srikanth
Thank you for your blog and your efforts in advising people in the comments
i worked for infosys from 2010 till 2015 and dint withdraw my PF , worked in 3 companies after that
i am unemployed now.
Infosys is askin me every 3 months to withdraw my PF and my account is inoperative , else it gets credited to senior welfare fund
with the change in inoperative account definition from 2016,how does it affect this senior welfare fund rule?
Dear Niraj,
Thanks for the appreciation!
Ideally EPF or Pvt trusts follow the same rules.
However, suggest you to transfer the fund from Infosys Pvt trust to your latest EPF account.
Kindly note that the interest accumulated during non-contribution phase is a taxable income.
Related article :
EPF Interest Income & Withdrawals | Tax Implications | Is EPF Interest taxable?
Hello Srikanth
Thanks for the reply
Can you please tell me about the senior welfare fund rule becoz they are threatening they will send the total amount there?
As per EPF rule, they should manage my account till my retirement age of 55
again what they said in the latest mail.. that my account is inoperative and without UAN too
Dear Niraj,
One should claim one's money from the dormant EPF account within 7 years of dormancy, otherwise, the money will be deposited into the Senior Citizen Welfare Fund by the EPFO.
After 3 years of no contributions, the EPF account is declared ‘in-operative.’ However it continues to earn interest at the rate declared by the EPFO for active EPF accounts. However additional paperwork is required to revive an inoperative EPF account or to withdraw from it.
After 7 years of no contributions, the EPF balance is transferred to the ‘Senior Citizens Welfare Fund.’ In this case, the EPF balance continues to earn interest, but at a different rate from that declared by the EPFO.
You can still claim your money from the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund, but proving ownership becomes a lot harder, especially if your ex-employer has failed to maintain proper records.
After 25 years in the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund (and hence 32 years of no contributions), your EPF balance is forfeited to the Government of India. This event is called ‘escheat’ in legal terminology.
Hello Sreekanth
I worked in my first company from April 2008 - August 2014. My company had opened a pf account then. When I joined my second job where I worked from August '14 to March 2015, they opened another account. I am not working in any corporation since then. As of now I want to withdraw both my pf amounts. I have activated the UAN of my last company. How can I link the previous account with the current UAN? Also will I get the pf amount of the first company as 7 it's dormant for almost 7 years.
Thank you
Dear Monisha,
You can get the funds from your old (EPF -1) account to the latest (EPF-2) account through UAN portal.
In case, online transfer is not possible, you can contact your first employer and get the transfer claim processed.
You may also withdraw the funds from EPF-1 and can submit online claim for EPF-2 as well.
Kindly read :
* Interest on Inoperative EPF accounts | Will I get interest on my Dormant EPF account?
* EPF Interest Income & Withdrawals | Tax Implications | Is EPF Interest taxable?
* Online EPF Transfer | How to transfer PF funds to another EPF account Online?
* Online EPF Withdrawal Facility : Details & Procedure
Thank you for your advice. I'll do as suggested and get back to you. Wish you a very happy new year.
Happy new year to you too!
Hi Sreekanth,
I was employed int 4 different companies from 2003 to 2014. I have left India for a job abroad. Since then I do not have any active PF accounts in India. Recently I have initiated PF withdrawal process with all 4 companies ( says 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 4th
Latest employer (4th one) alloted UAN and in the process of settlement.
Now 1st employer asking me to transfer PF to the existing UAN number (allotted by 4th company).
But here is my concern, since UAN number created by the 4th company and I am not currently employed, how to transfer 1st company's PF to the 4th company's account?
And one more point here, I do not see the PF details of the 1st company on EPFO portal when I login with 4th company UAN or even when I search with 1st company PF account details.
How do I resolve this issue? Can I see my PF details with 1st employer on EPFO portal ?
Thank you.
Sree
Hi Sreekanth, you have captured most of the scenarios. I was employed from 2003 till 2012 for company A. I have withdrawn my PF once I quit company A. Later I worked for company B from 2012 till 2016, have UAN set up with my new PF number, I am trying to withdraw now and has levied TDS as it considers only 4 years of employment without considering my employment with company A. Can you please let me know if there is a way to let epfo know about my years of employment before UAN.
my situation is also same, when I login with last company's UAN number I don't see all previous companies record. as i understand if the total employment period is less than 5 years I have to pay 30% tax on withdrawn amount, my total employment with all employers are more than 5 years but since I am just seeing last employment record in EPFO its 1 year, I raised a grievance ticket with EPFO, they sent one PDF attachment showing me all the employment details in their Ledger (this is correct) but when I login to EPFO portal I still see only last employer record who allocated me the UAN, can any one help here?
Hello Sir....My grandfather had been working In "National Rayon" Company from 1963-1973 period...We have their "Pf No, Employee No, Company Id" details....Can we recover the Money from PF account ?
Hi Sreekanth,
I was employed with a company in Mumbai, Thane in the year 2008. How can I know the EPF number, I dont see any inoperative account helpdesk on EPF website. Is it possible to retrieve the details as the company was taken over by Sutherland in 2010. Your response is highly appreciated
Dear Nikhil,
You can contact the concerned EPFO regional office where your account was maintained, they can help you!
Hi Shreekanth.
I was employed with a company that shutdown last year. I joined a new company and without any gap in employment a new pf account was set up. The salary breakup is such that the basic is very less and pf contribution over one year of employment is v small. Due to covid I have not received any wages since 5 months and this forced LWP is likely to continue in the foreseeable future.
I wish to withdraw my PF from my old company. (That is a substantial amount.) Is that possible since that company has shutdown?
Or will I need to transfer my old pf to new account and then withdraw?
What is the maximum I will be able to take out? Withdrawal under the covid category is not viable as the amount I will recieve is too less. Can I withdraw under the non payment of wages for more than 2 months category?
Please do revert as I am at my wits end on how to manage financially in the current situation.
Dear Anu,
May I know if your old EPF account is linked to your Aadhaar?
Are two EPF accounts linked to same UAN?
Hi Sreekanth..
Yes they are. Same UAN but different accounts.
Dear Anu,
As you are currently employed and contributing to the EPF Scheme, you can get the funds from your EPF A/c transferred to current EPF account and then can make partial withdrawal.
"The maximum limit that one can withdraw is 75 per cent of the PF balance or three months of basic wages plus dearness allowance, whichever is lower."
Other Partial Withdrawal options..
Hey Shree,
Thanks for your reply. I have one final query, it has bee3n more than 5 months that I have received any wages. In this case how much PF can I withdraw and under what section.
Thanks
Dear Anu,
Do you mean to say that EPF amounts are not deposited by your employer ?
I left the company in 2015 but still i not activate or withdraw my PF . one main problem is i know my UAN no but i missed my mobile and bank ac no which is attached to PF.
Dear Pooja,
May I know what do you mean by - still i not activate ??
Dear Sreekanth,
I had epf with a private company between 1995 to 1997. I did not withdraw the PF after I left the company. Also few years down the line, I left India and stayed outside India for over 16 years. I recently returned and realized that I did not withdraw my pf from that company. Will my pf amount still secure with EPF? Is there any way I can regularize or withdraw that amount?
Dear Vasant,
Yes, it will be there..
Suggest you to kindly contact the concerned employer or EPFO regional office...
Thanks a lot Sreekanth.