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
i wrked with an orginisatin with old epf nmbr....fr about 5 months.. will i be able to withdrawy balance
Dear Munish..If you are contributing to EPF again, kindly transfer the funds to your new a/c.
Else, you can withdraw the funds.
Hi Srikanth
I have a question about my PF. I worked in india for about 8 yrs till 2008. After that i have moved to US. I would like to know if my PF can be withdrawn now. Also is there any time limit for withdrawing.
Dear veera ..You can withdraw the entire PF balance. There is no time-limit as such (max - 58 years of age ie retirement age).
Your EPF a/c would have become inoperative, so suggest you to submit your withdrawal request through the inoperative help desk facility.
Dear Mr.Sreekanth,
I've submitted online request of EPF Inoperative Account Transfer almost 13 days ago, but not yet received any response from Helpdesk.
Kindly tell me what should I do next..or how many days should I wait.
Regards-
Arup.
Dear ARUP ..You may register your grievance at this link..click here..
Hi Sreekanth,
Thanks for the details. This information is very helpful.
Kiran
Hello,
My mobile number associated with my EPF account has been deactivated, and I've forgotten my online password.
How can I reset my password and registered mobile number of my EPF account?
Also, I'm living abroad now, and expect to be here for next 2 years. Is there a way I can prevent the account from becoming inactive by making voluntary contribution?
Regards
Ratan
Dear Ratan,
If you are not employed with the concerned company and not contributing to EPF then you can't make voluntary contributions.
Read: UAN - Mobile number issues & solutions - helpdesk.
Correction on the employment start date which is April 24, 1989.
Dear Parasuraman,
You may submit your withdrawal request through in-operative help-desk, provide whatever details you have with you when submitting your request.
hi im a resigned my job 2 years back but ,in epf ac I have 25000 amount how can I get that amount
Dear malhothra ..Are you currently employed and contributing to EPF scheme again?
You can submit the EPF withdrawal forms to your ex-employer.
In case if your UAN KYC details have been verified by your employer, you can submit new EPF withdrawal forms directly to EPFO.
Hello there,
My name is Parasuraman T K currently living in outside India I was employed in Mumbai with private company called Piramal Spg & Wvg Mills Ltd which was acquired by Marathon Nextgen Realty Ltd which are closed. I was employed with them during period from 24 April 1991 to 3 May 1991. I have the company release letter issued by the Personal department from Piramal Spg & Wvg Mills Ltd. and also the appointment letter. I have been chasing people from Nextgen Realty Ltd and PF office in Bandra with no success. I am seeking to some guidance to get the EPF# and necessary information as I do not have any pay slips to know my EPF number. How can I get this resolved?
Thank you in advance and regards
Parasuraman
I once worked in India as an expart for 4 years and was contributing PF. As at now I have come back to my country. I will not be able to get back to India and not yet attained the retirement age. My PF Account will be inoperative after a period of about 36 months.How can I withdraw the full ?
Dear Louis ..You may just submit your online request using the above help-desk portal. You can route your PF withdrawal request through your employer too. Have you tried this option?
hello sir
i worked in MNC for 4 years and 10 months and now i have resigned from my company and i want to withdraw my all my PF amount.
can i get my whole PF amount or i get only my contribution ?
what is the rule?
Dear sameer ..If you are unemployed for more than 60 days, you can withdraw full PF balance.
Can we transfer an inoperative PF account online? I have an PF account which is dormant since 2011. I have all the required details and UAN for my active PF account as well.
Dear Ravi..I believe Yes. Suggest you to submit your request through one Employee - one EPF scheme online facility.