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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View Comments
Hi Vinay,
My PF account was closed as I withdrew all money. So it must have closed. This happened in 2013. So now I am joining another company and they need PF statements. So how do i access the same?
Above inoperative account link isnt there on epfo site. Can you help?
Hi Sreekanth,
I started my professional carrier from DEC-2005 and I didn't check or need to download any statements till date from EPFO portal.
Now HR of new employer require all PF statements from year 2005 to 2023. But the PF statements available from 2009 only in EPFO portal by showing some amount as Opening Balance (OB). I also checked with some of my colleagues that I worked with and they are also getting the same way (from 2009). So I thought like, as the EPFO portal is available to public from year 2014 and they are maintaining only past 5 years data from 2014 (i.e., 2009) in EPFO portal.
So my query is, how can I get these past years PF statements from 2005 to 2009? I also raised a grievance request in EPFO grievance portal. Could you please suggest what else I can do to resolve my issue?
Thank you
Dear Vinay,
Did you work with multiple employers during 2005 to 2014?
Do you have the Final Settlement certificate(s) issued by those employers? Do you have the respective pay slips with you?
Hi Sreekanth,
Thanks for your reply. Below are my responses.
a). Did you work with multiple employers during 2005 to 2014?
No, I worked for same employer from Dec-2005 to Mar-2019.
b). Do you have the Final Settlement certificate(s) issued by those employers? Do you have the respective pay slips with you?
Yes, I have pay slips, but for some years i don't have for all months.
I also requested for statement with EPFO office, Hyderabad. But they are also said like no statements provided and check details online only.
Also want to know is my below statement is valid?
"The EPFO portal is available to public from year 2014 and they are maintaining only past 5 years data from 2014 (i.e., 2009) in EPFO portal."
Thank you.
Dear Vinay,
I am not very sure about the year (2009)..
Kindly let your new employer know about the availability of the data on epfo portal, I am sure the HR must be aware of this fact.
You can try submitting your pay slips that reflect your EFP contributions.
Try getting an Annexure-K statement through EPFO portal.
Hi Sreekanth,
I have an inoperative PF account from my previous company which I quit back in 2010. I did not transfer my PF to the new company and thus it’s not linked to my UAN. I have inquired and tried a lot of different ways to withdraw or transfer with success. I have contacted my previous company for help and been redirected to the epfo website. I have tried the epfo website to link my account but get the error that my dob, fathers name etc doesn’t match, went back to previous company but got no help. I have raised grievance with PF office and also sent messages to their WhatsApp number. Everyone seem to redirect me to the other side. So right now I have no direction to follow, could you please suggest what else I can do. Thank you
Dear Vikas,
By any chance, is your EPFO regional office located near to your place??
Did you take help of your current employer (if currently employed)??
Hi Sreekanth,
Great article on EPF, appreciate your efforts!
My question as below.
I have left the organization last Nov 2021, so no further contribution from employer side till now. Further I'm planning to pursue on my passion so ideally this account may not get employer contribution in future. In this scenario, what is the process to keep the existing balance (current age 46, balance EPF 38L) till retirement age (58) at the same time account should be operative/active and get the yearly interest till the retirement age. Also please suggest how much accumulation will be there at the age of 58 based on current EPF balance. Do I need to withdraw partial amount (say Rs25,000 against child education or medical support) once in 3 years till my retirement age?
Appreciate your time and support on my query. Please do let me know if you need further information.
Regards,
Jagan
sir , I had an account in pf but without U A N at that time in 2011 when i quit the organization due to my age crossed to 50 pension amount went to pension as bangalore pf officer said. Now i m working same company in Orissa how can I joint the pension amount with the current one. Please suggest what steps should be follwed.
great work
My husband was died on 24/01/2011. Husband's PF A/c No.MH/18297/259.
I submitted the Pension "SCHEME CERTIFICATE" Original and all documents to Thane PF office on 2013 through Registered Post. But I did not received pension till now. What should I do for receiving my pension.
Dear SANTHY ji,
That's a long time gap!
Did you check with your husband's employer?
You may also submit a grievance request to the EPFO via this link..
Related articles :
* EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
* How to make EPF Death Claim by Nominee of a Subscriber? | EPF/EPS/EDLI Scheme Benefits
Inoperative EPF Account – Trace & Track – EPFO Online Helpdesk
There is no information about Inoperative EPF account on EPFO website......
Dear Latha,
You may kindly submit your grievance request on old EPF accounts to the EPFO via this link..
Related article : EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
Hi, this link doesn't work for us as to log a grievance one needs to mandatorily enter UAN no. which is not available for old PF accounts.
hi Srikanth garu
i have two different UAN numbers of previous and present company.
2005 to 2012 two different companies amount was transferred to previous X company and worked there for 2.5 years in previous employer X. i am regularly logging in this UAN and got updates.
since 2015 i have been working in Y company. i have another UAN number is running now.
can i transfer previous X company PF amount to present Y company.
my worry is previous company PF account did not receive any contribution since 2015, but getting intrest on annual basis. pl suggest.
Dear Gopal,
Yes, you can get the funds transferred from your old EPF account to the latest one.
Note that your old UAN will get blocked.
Kindly read : Why should you Withdraw Old EPF Account Balance? | In-operative EPF A/c Timeline
Dear Sreekanth,
I really need your advice. I have been working since 2010. I had a PF account with an organisation for 3 years. At that time there was no UAN concept. After 2014 UAN came and I had another PF account for 4.5 years. Lastly, I had recently joined and left a company in 5 months. I have been able to transfer all the PF from 2010-2013 and 2015-2019 into the current PF account. But the challenge is that when I am trying to withdraw the money it is showing my work experience as only 5 months of my current company and not taking into account my work experience from 2010. In this way I will end up paying 10% tax. Can you please suggest me the way so that I can make sure that PF department takes into consideration my total work experience.
Dear Ash,
You can submit a grievance request to the EPFO and get the confirmation that your total service period has been updated.
Related articles :
* EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
* Why should you Withdraw Old EPF Account Balance? | In-operative EPF A/c Timeline