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
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I left my previous company around 10 Years ago in proper way, But i didn't transferred my PF with my new organisation.After UAN service launched i added my current organisation detail but last organisation PF account was Inoperative ( Its still Inoperative).I tried through online portal to make it active but couldn't succeed as it showing some error (In online portal).Please suggest me what should I do to activate it & how can i get this money by transfer/Withdraw?
Dear Darshan,
May I know what error you are receiving?
You may also contact your ex-employer (if possible) and can get the funds transferred to the latest EPF ac.
Kindly read : What happens to EPS on Transfer of EPF account (or) when you switch Jobs?
Dear Aravind,
Did you try applying for Annexure-K through EPFO's grievance facility??
Related article - What is Annexure K?
Dear Sreekanth,
I have tried for applying annexure - k, but in the grievance facility UAN is compulsory which i dont have it. I tried registering complaint by using others but i was not able to register successfully.
Dear Aravind,
EPFO had earlier relaxed the provision that requires furnishing of Universal Account Number (UAN) for settlement of claims like PF withdrawal for all those who left membership before January 1, 2014.
If possible, you may contact the concerned EPF regional office (where your ac is being administered) through your authorized representative or through your employer.
Dear Sreekanth,
Thanks for the info. My issue got sorted out with help of one my friend. Once again thanks for the swift response.
Hi Sreekanth/ Aravind,
I'm also in a very similar situation.I have worked with two employers in India. I'm trying for immigration and need my old employment history for which the settlement was claimed. I have one of my PF no.linked with the UAN. But the other employment PF no.is not linked with this UAN. How can I do it? I want to get the other employment details. Kindly advice. I'm currently working abroad.
Thanks & regards,
Jino
Dear Jino,
You may contact your ex-employer and get the Date of Joining and Date of Exit for the concerned EFP ac updated, under your current UAN.
(or) you can also request for transfer of funds from previous EPF ac to the latest EPF ac.
Dear Sreekanth,
Thanks for your swift response. Could you please clarify 'transfer of funds' as I have already claimed the settlement from both companies. I tried to link my first PF account no.( no UAN available) with the UAN provided by second employer, but could'nt merge it using One employee- One EPF account option. I have the second employment details linked with the UAN.Is there any way to get the first employment details added to this UAN.
Thanks and regards,
Jino
Dear Jino,
Did you transfer the funds from EPF-1 to EPF-2 and then claimed total amount?
If you have just withdrawn the amount from EPF-1 and then joined new employer and then withdrawn amount form EPF-2 (if transfer of funds has not happened) then it may be difficult to get your old EPF account details linked to current UAN.
However, you may try contacting your old (ex) employer and ask them if it is possible to update Date of exit and Date of joining for the concerned EPF account under your UAN.
You may also post your query to the EPFO via this link..
In case, you get a resolution from them, kindly share the info here, can be useful to all of us here!
Dear sreekanth,
Not transferred the funds from EPF-1 to EPF-2 & i claimed it separately from both companies & received pf money few years back.
In order to provided secondary document (employment period proof ) for my immigration processing. Just one month back I activated by EPF-2 with 2nd Company provided uan . I got the passbook for EPF-2 & Found that the EPF-1 passbook is not available so, i try to link my EPF-1 to this UAN via one member- one EPF Account (transfer request)
It is showing transfer error : Online claim request cannot be processed as :
present employer has not made payment in your pf account.
my present account in uan is EPF-2 i have passbook for- EPF-2 , company provided the share also. why this error it is showing.
How i can solve this issue so that i can link EPF-1 to EPF-2 UAN
& provide my immigration agent employment proof based on the EPF-1, (i have all details for EPF-1pf no, DOJ & DOE) but this needs to be in the system Online .
I ask my EPF-2 Company to help
they replied : this transfer error not correct as company has already provided the share as you have the passbook.
he suggest me to put in the grievance & send to them Reg. no. they will forward to epfo office. but he not asked about the money claimed previously or not.
please suggest if pf money already claim then also we can transfer & link EPF-1 to EPF-2 UAN.
Please advice.
Thanks ,
Jino
Dear sreekanth,
Not transferred the funds from EPF-1 to EPF-2 & i claimed it separately from both companies & received pf money few years back.
In order to provided secondary document (employment period proof ) for my immigration processing. Just one month back I activated by EPF-2 with 2nd Company provided uan . I got the passbook for EPF-2 & Found that the EPF-1 passbook is not available so, i try to link my EPF-1 to this UAN via one member- one EPF Account (transfer request)
It is showing transfer error : Online claim request cannot be processed as :
present employer has not made payment in your pf account.
my present account in uan is EPF-2 i have passbook for- EPF-2 , company provided the share also. why this error it is showing.
How i can solve this issue so that i can link EPF-1 to EPF-2 UAN
& provide my immigration agent employment proof based on the EPF-1, (i have all details for EPF-1pf no, DOJ & DOE) but this needs to be in the system Online .
I ask my EPF-2 Company to help
they replied : this transfer error not correct as company has already provided the share as you have the passbook.
he suggest me to put in the grievance & send to them Reg. no. they will forward to epfo office. but he not asked about the money claimed previously or not.
please suggest if pf money already claim then also we can transfer & link EPF-1 to EPF-2 UAN.
Please advice.
Thanks ,
Jino
Dear Jino,
As you have already claimed the amount, you can not get the funds transferred now.
You may submit your grievance to the EPFO and inquire on this.
You may also request for the Annexure-K for both the EPF accounts and this can be submitted as an EPF statement with all transactions.
You may also try adding your old EPF ac using one employee one EPF account provision.
Kindly read : How to consolidate multiple EPF Accounts? What is EPFO’s One Employee – One EPF Account initiative?
Dear arvind,
If possible, kindly share how the issue has been sorted out??
Would be useful for all the blog readers. Thank you!
Dear Sreekanth,
No i haven't tried it as i am completely unaware of this . Now i will. Thanks a lot Sreekanth garu.
Hi Mr.Sreekanth Reddy,
Happy to see your replies, i want get details of my old inoperative account. PF amount has been claimed by me but i need account details to me submitted as a employement proof for immigration purpose. How can i get these details. Right know i work in abroad.
Thanks in advance.
AK
Dear Aravind,
You may kindly request your ex-employer about your old EPF account..
Hi,srikanth your post is so helpful.i tried to login through the above link.I even received the otp in my mobile.but after submitting it.it says error occurred and to contact io.helpdesk@epfindia.gov.in.and this link is not working.I tried more than 10 times and got the same result.what should I do now.Please help
Dear Anupama,
You may kindly submit your grievance to them via this link..
If possible, you can also contact your ex-employer and submit Transfer or Withdrawal request..
Hi Srikanth,
I have been reading all your responses and very happy for that.
Even I have an inoperative PF account from last 6 yrs. I missed to claim it. I am trying to raise a request with Inoperative account Helpdesk but its struck at "Generate Pin". Neither I get the pin or its moving forward. I tried several times. Will it work? Did it work for any one?
Also, is there any alternative way to get it withdrawn or transfer? Please help me.
Thanks in Advance,
Gayathri.
Dear Gayathri,
It works.
You may also try 'consolidate EPF accounts' option which is available after your login to your EPF UAN member portal.
You can also submit offline transfer request through your ex-employer.
Related article : How to consolidate multiple EPF Accounts? What is EPFO’s One Employee – One EPF Account initiative?
I have EPF account in my old organisation during period July 2008 to July 2011. But i missed somehow to follow up for last 7 years and missed to link particular EPF to UAN . How can i get balance details, passbook and link under UAN ?
Dear Mahaboob,
You can contact your ex-employer and apply for transfer of funds from your old EPF ac to new/current EPF account.
Related article : What happens to EPS on Transfer of EPF account (or) when you switch Jobs?
I forgot to mention that my ex employer strike off permanent. What else you can suggest to solve this ?
Dear Mahaboob,
You can use 'inopeartive EPF ac' helpdesk facility or can also contact the concerned EPFO regional office and get the funds transferred to your latest EPF ac.
Hi Sreekanth Reddy,
As my current employer doesn't have EPF schemes. My EPF was contributed up to last month (total 2 years), from my previous employer.
Below queries with respect to start of pf account.
if i will withdraw EPF money after five years, then amount will be taxable or not?
Will get interest up to five years without contribution?
can i withdraw full amount after five years?
is there any way to contribute from self in EPF, accept PPF?
Regards,
Nilesh Patel
Dear Nilesh,
1 - Yes, it is taxable, as your service period is less than 5 years.
2 - Yes, you will get interest on the balance. But do note that the interest income accumulated during non-contribution period is a taxable income.
3 - Yes, you can withdraw anytime after 2 months from the date of exit from your previous Org.
4 - No.
Kindly read : EPF Interest Income & Withdrawals | Tax Implications | Is EPF Interest taxable?
Dear Mr. Srkanth Reddy Sir, I uploaded my earlier PF details (2009)
twice in Inoperative Help Desk in last six months, but there was no communication from PF Department and the status show that EPF Help desk yet to reply. From 2009 November I am working in a diffrent company where contributing for PF. I want to transfer my 2009 Amount to the current PF Account. Please let me know what is to be done.
Dear PRADIPTA,
Did you try transferring the funds from old EPF ac to current one through Unified member portal?
Kindly note that you can also contact your ex-employer and submit offline transfer request.
Hi Srikanth Reddy,
I am BABUREDDY. My PF account is inoperative almost 5 years. Is it possible for me to claim online the PF amount which is inoperative through Inoperative EPF Account with the details of my previous employment.
Presently I'm not working anywhere.
Please help me in this regard.
Thank you.
BABUREDDY
Dear BABUREDDY,
If you have seeded and verified your KYC details like Aadhaar, PAN & Bank account info, you can withdraw funds online. Else, you have to opt for offline withdrawal (you can contact your ex-employer for offline claim).
Kindly read :
* Online EPF Claim submission : Process Flow & Eligibility Conditions
* New EPF Composite Claim Form | Single Page Form for different types of PF Withdrawals (Full / Partial)
Dear Srikanth reddy,
Two day back I upload my pf details in inoperative account help desk is it possible once I get replay from pf Dept to ekyc in online .
I had 2 PF accounts and requested for a merge (Transfer) of the accounts. Which was done and i was able to see the PF amount being added to the new account but when i check the pension account it still shows the new account amount in pension.
I have left my job 4 months back and raised a request for claim of both pension and pf. So do I get the complete amount for Pension from old as well.
Dear Jude,
You will get the EPF amount and EPS amount as well.
However, EPS balance can be withdrawn if your cumulative service period is less than 10 years.
Kindly go through these articles :
* What happens to EPS on Transfer of EPF account (or) when you switch Jobs?
* How to track EPF claim status online?