UAN (Universal Account Number) is a unique identification number allotted by EPFO to its members. An employee’s EPF account numbers (member IDs) are linked to 12 digits UAN ID. The idea is to link multiple Member Identification Numbers (EPF Accounts) allotted to a single PF member under single Universal Account Number.
Should an Employee have two UAN numbers? – Answer is NO. Ideally an Employee who is a EPF member can have only one UAN but can have multiple member-IDs linked to it.
Can an Employee have multiple or duplicate UANs? – Answer is POSSIBLE. There are many instances where two UAN numbers have been allotted by EPFO through two different employers/establishments.
How is this possible? Yes, this can happen in two scenarios;
- If you are joining a new company (employer), you are supposed to inform your new employer about your existing UAN number (if any). Your new employer will then open new EPF account (member-ID) and links this to your previous UAN. If you do not provide your existing UAN, a new UAN can be generated by your new employer which results in duplicate UAN numbers being allotted to the same EPF member.
- Another scenario can be – When you leave your company, your employer has to furnish ‘the date of exit’ details in the ECR (Electronic Challan cum Return). If they do not provide this information in-time and meanwhile you join a new establishment, this can result in two UAN numbers being allotted to you for both the employments.
If you have two UANs then transfer of monies from your old EPF a/c to your new EPF account which is linked to new UAN cannot happen, as an employee can have only one unique UAN ID.
How to get two UAN numbers (multiple or duplicate UANs) merged?
In the last few months, I have received multiple queries on two UANs being allotted, below are few of them..
So, what is the solution in case if two UANs are allotted by EPFO? How to get the old UAN deactivated?
The EPFO in its FAQs list has suggested the below solution:
“In case two UAN are allotted to you, this could be because of not filing of Date of Exit by your previous employer in ECR filing and/or you have applied for transfer of service in your current establishment.
In such a case, you are suggested to immediately report the matter either to your employer and through email to uanepf@epfindia.gov.in by mentioning, both – your current UAN and your previous UAN(s). After due verification, the previous UAN(s) allotted to you will be blocked and the current UAN will be kept active. Later you will be required to submit a Claim to get transfer of service and fund to the current UAN.”
The above procedure is a time-consuming one and the resolutions haven’t been happening as expected. Hence, the EPFO has come up with a new automated process to merge two UAN numbers or two duplicate UANs issued to the same EPF member.
In case of duplicate UANs issued to one EPF member as mentioned above, the following solutions are detailed below;
(The below new procedure is as per the EPFO’s latest notification which has been issued on 21st September, 2016.)
- You (EPF member) are advised to apply for EPF transfer from previous EPF account to the new EPF account.
- The EPFO’s system would then automatically identify such cases (on periodic basis) where the PF transfer has been effected from one EPF account to another, and have two different UANs attached to these EPF accounts of the same EPF member (employee).
- All such identified UANs (old UANs), from which PF transfer has been effected to PF account having different UANs (new UANs), would be deactivated. So, the old UAN numbers will cease to exist and are blocked for further use. (This procedure of merging duplicate UANs will be carried out by EPFO on periodic basis and can also be performed even when no requests have been received from its members.)
- Your previous member ID (old EPF account) would henceforth be linked to your new UAN.
- You will be informed of the deactivated status of your previous UAN by SMS to the registered mobile number. You would be requested to activate the new UAN (if not done) to get the updated status of your EPF account.
- Sometimes, there are chances that you may have to receive some PF arrears from your employer, in such cases, since the system knows the new UAN against the deactivated UAN, the system would automatically populate the new UAN in the ECR (on punching of previous UAN or member ID by the employer) and the statutory contribution by the employer against the arrears can be remitted against new UAN only.
(Read : In case if you have one UAN number but have multiple EPF accounts, how to consolidate multiple old EPF accounts?)
(Image courtesy of ratch0013 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net) (Post published on : 22-September-2016)
Hello Sir,
There is an employee who is working in our organization from 1998 he left the service in 2016. During this period his contribuion was submitted in the EPFO.
He went on a break for 2 years and again joined our organization in 2018, at that time the concerned HR personnel created a new UAN for him as his old UAN was not linked with Aadhar and neither he could recall having an already active UAN at that time. Now he just got to know that there are 2 UAN against his name and he is requesting to submit Form 13 on behalf of him.
Now my question is the previous and current employer is same in this case, will it be okay if we go ahead with the submission of Form 13 ? And if yes, then which part of Form 13, me as an employer should stamp and verify – the previous employer or the current employer ? Kindly suggest.
Dear Sir
I obtain my VRS in 1998 after 15 years in service period. that time UAN number not applicable in 1998. EPF they kept at there end. Now i am working in Out sourcing Co. & they issued Me UAN no.which is activate.
Now my age became 60 & I applied for Pension in Old oganization Submitted my Form 10 D , They submitted my docuemnts at RO EPFO, Bandra ( maharastra ). After
8 month EPFO alloted me UAN no. & proceed my Pension docuemnts. How my New
UAN no. will activate issued by EPFO , Bandra & whether they will proved me pension..? pl reply my querry .
reagrds
Account is disabled ho gaya jaldi se karwai kare
Hello Sir,
I have two UANs with one phone number. I have already withdrawn my PF balance from the old UAN. However I am unable to open my passbook as I am getting error of having one phone number linked to two accounts.
I tried everything. Did the e-nomination, changed mobile number on the old account, tried claiming Form 10C for scheme certificate and pension on the old UAN but the claim was rejected. Please suggest. I have changed my company again and they are asking for the copy of passbook which I am unable to open.
Did you get a solution to this. I have a similar issue. Please assist if you know how to resolve this
Dear Pooja,
Did you try contacting the respective epfo regional office?
Hi,
I have two UAN number one from previous organisation and one from new organisation. I want to merge both the PF account. Previous organisation is closed now.
I tried merging both UAN online but it asks attestation via previous employer only. option of attestation through present employer is not clickable.
Since previous organisation is not active, I cannot get attestation through it.
I have already withdrawn all my PF money from my previous account. It has only pension money. Now, I want to add my pf accounts, so my pension money can be merged.
Please help.
Hi,
I worked in two companies.when I worked ,there was no UAN concept.I have only PF number for both companies.will I have two UAN number? How do I claim both PF Amount?
Dear Kumaran,
Are you currently employed and contributing to the EPF scheme??
May I know the year(s) of service for the two previous EPF accounts?
Hello friends please help me!
My UAN number was created by old company and that time my mobile number was different. After 5 years I’m joining a new company and I could not retrieve the old UAN account as it is sending OTP to the old number and prompting to enter it.
Now my new employer is saying he cant create a new UAN number also telling me to do something.
Now please help me with 2 things :
1) Can I update my new mobile number in the existing UAN account? If so how? I do not have the old mobile number with me.
2) How to create a new UAN account?
Hi,
1 – Kindly read :
* How to update or change EPF UAN Account Mobile number online?
* EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
2 – Advisable not to create one more UAN.
Hi Sreekanth, Thanks for such a nice article. Please help me with the below case.
I have an active UAN and I transferred all my previous funds to this active UAN 2 years back. I’m trying to request a Claim online and it shows an error;
” The bank account linked with this account is also linked with the following UANs : 10015840XXXX (with different demographic details). If these UANs are yours, then please get the basic details corrected in your other UANs and link them with your Aadhar for transfer of your accounts to the present one. If this bank account is not yours then please add your correct bank account and get it approved by the employer to avail online claim facility.”
I think I had a UAN in the past(4-5 years back) But, I don’t have it anymore. I do not have any funds left in old accounts. I transferred all to my current UAN. I don’t know how to overcome this error to request a Claim.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Dear Ganapathi,
Did you get even the EPS balance(s) transferred?
Kindly re-check if any funds still remaining unclaimed especially if your old EPF a/c(s) are maintained by PVT Trust of your employer(s).
You can also get Annexure – K by submitting a request to the EPFO via this link.. Can find all the transaction entries in this statement..
Thank you, Sreekanth.
I did move all my funds to the current UAN. I requested my Employer to update a different Bank detail and It has worked now. I’m able to request a Claim now. Thanks very much. 🙂
I am not working anywhere now. I worked during 2012 and 2014
Dear Kumaran,
EPFO has actually 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.
But, some regional offices may insist to quote UAN for withdrawal claims.
You yourself can generate UAN, link PAN and aadhaar to it. You can then link your previous EPF accounts to it.
You can also visit the concerned EPF regional office (where your PF ac is being administered) for final settlement. You can submit composite claim form, copy of PAN, bank cheque leaf & Aadhaar.
Related articles :
* EPF Whatsapp Helpline Number for Grievance Redressal | Whatsapp Contact numbers of EPFO Regional Offices
* New EPF Composite Claim Form | Single Page Form for different types of PF Withdrawals (Full / Partial)
Ok sir thank you for the reply. I will clarify with my old company.
Hi sir, I don’t no whether my aadhar is seeded to UAN from my old company but I submitted my aadhar & pan card xerox. I didn’t inform in my present working company about old company working for 2months so I didn’t gave my old company pf & UAN number. Please inform me whether my new company employer can create new UAN number & PF number?And I don’t want to inform my new employer about my old company. It is possible? please inform sir. & I want to draw my old company EPF amount, I clarified in my old company about EPF withdraw, they said after 2 months of ur leaving ur job u can withdraw that amount they said, now it’s completed month leaving my old company. After completing one more month I want to withdraw my old company pf amount, if I withdraw that amount does that old UAN & PF account number be closed?? please inform whether my new employer will come to know about my old PF & UAN number, does he can create new UAN & PF account. Please inform sir.. this is my last post, please reply sir, please clarify my doubt sir.
Dear Priya,
Kindly check with your ex-employer if they have seeded your Aadhaar to (old) UAN.
If you have already activated that UAN, you yourself can visit the EPFO UAN portal and check this info..
I joined some company called abc on 28th of October & I worked there till 31st of December, then I resigned that abc company. And now I joined some xyz company on 8th january & I informed in the new company as fresher & I dint told about my old company, now my question is,does my new company employeer can create a new UAN & new PF account? it is possible. & Now does my new employer will come know about my old PF & UAN account which is created by old company. I want to draw my old company EPF amount & I want to close that. Please clarify my doubt…
Dear Priya,
Is your Aadhaar seeded with previous UAN?
Hi sir, I don’t no whether my aadhar is seeded to UAN from my old company but I submitted my aadhar & pan card xerox. I didn’t inform in my present working company about old company working for 2months so I didn’t gave my old company pf & UAN number. Please inform me whether my new company employer can create new UAN number & PF number. And I don’t want to inform my new employer about my old company. It is possible? please inform sir. & I want to draw my old company EPF amount, I clarified in my old company about EPF withdraw, they said after 2 months of ur leaving ur job u can withdraw that amount they said, now it’s completed month leaving my old company. After completing one more month I want to withdraw my old company amount, if I withdraw that amount does that old UAN & PF account number be closed?? please inform whether my new employer will come to know about my old PF & UAN number, does he can create new UAN & PF account. Please inform sir..
Hi priya..I also have same doubt. I joined one company for 2 months and i am going to leave this organization and i am going to join 2nd organization. If i not gave my previous UAN to my new company and if my aadhar is seeded with my previous UAN then my new employer can create new UAN for me?Please please reply?
Hello sir… I joined one company for 1 months and i am going to leave this organization and i am going to join 2nd organization. If i not gave my previous UAN to my new company and if my aadhar is seeded with my previous UAN but i have not activated that then my new employer can create new UAN for me? Please please reply?
Mahibuba BAGAVAN
I have a question…I worked with an MNC from 2011 to 2019 and I moved out of the company as I got an opportunity outside India and I have been abroad since Apr’19. I managed to withdraw the epf for the period I worked between 2011 to 2019 so basically there has been no contribution to my EPF since then and I my UAN seems to be active or available. I worked for another organization from 2005 to 2011 but I have not withdrawn the money that is in my that epf account. That old company HR is asking me to create a new UAN and link the old epf account with it as they are unable to link the pf account with my present existing UAN. Should I first deactivate my present UAN and then create a new UAN number ? Is this possible ?… kindly advise.
Dear Donald,
If your UAN is active then why is your first employer unable to link your old EPF?
What is the reason they are giving?
Did you try linking it by yourself?
You can also submit your grievance request to the EPFO via this link and get suggestion..
Related article : Why should you Withdraw Old EPF Account Balance? | In-operative EPF A/c Timeline
Dear Sir
I working for a company for almost 13 years and left the organization to start my own business. I had been applied for 10 D Reduced Pension and it is under process. I not withdrawn my PF amount as understood that you can keep min 3 years . Now the scenario is that as my business not doing well, I have a joined a new company. The new company was trying to deposit my PF it shows that online claim is submitted on 09/10 and its under process. You can request KYC change once the online claim is approved/rejected.
Pls let me know how to proceed. How my present employer can deposit my pf amount. Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated.
Sir i entered wrong exit reason as permanent disablement in epf exit reason does it effects to the future joining company pf claim
Sir I entered wrong reason of exit as permanent disablement in epf exit reason
Does it effects to the future joining company pf claim
Hello Srikanth,
I had merged my 2 UAN accounts by transferring the PF amount to recent one. Amount got transferred two year back and Passbook also updated with corresponding amount. But Service history is not added to new UAN from old UAN. How can I resolve this issue, and who will help me here.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Siddharta
Hi Sreekanth,
I joined new company 2months ago.
They asked me to transfer my EPF to present employee. I did that and i know I cant with draw any previous PF.. I just tried clicking on claim option and I got an error saying (the bank account linked with the following uan with different demographic details if this uan is yours then please get the basic details corrected in your other UAN and link them with your adhar for transfer of your accounts with the present one)
I dont know my 2nd UAN number what to do now.
Please suggest.
Thank you
Dear Shreekanth,
I have got 2 UAN numbers. I left my previous company in 2016 and joined the new one. My UAN number was not mentioned on my salary slips, so my new employer opened the new UAN account. I got to know about it much later. Now I have 2 UAN accounts with 2 separate EPF accounts. How do i merge these two accounts. Also my KYC for the previous account is still pending.
Regards,
Mani
Dear Mani,
You can just get the funds (EPF & EPS) from your previous EPF ac to latest one, the old UAN will automatically gets blocked..
Thanks for you reply. How do I get the fund from the previous EPF(linked to old UAN ) to the new one. As I have still not done the KYC for my old account.
Mani
Dear Mani,
That’s fine.
If your personal details (Name, DoB etc) between the two accounts match then you can try submitting an online epf transfer request..
Hiii, I have PF number with me but when i go to active UAN with my PF number then its shown no record found with this PF number.
I just want to know how i active UAN with my PF account number. Its my OLD PF account which i want to withdrawn.
Kindly suggest me HOW I put My PF account number in UAN active portal also i have already having 2 UAN account numbers connect with my PAN and Adhaar.
MH/48732/14048
Dear Asma,
If you are currently contributing to EPF scheme, you can get the funds from your old EPF account transferred to the current EPF a/c.
I had 2 UANs as my new employer had created a new UAN . I was able to transfer all my previous fund to new PF account with new UAN but when i check the service history there is only the current company listed ! Any idea how to get this sorted or does service history matter ?
Dear Calvin,
Kindly check with your ex-employer if they have processed the EPS claim as well?
You can also submit a grievance request to the EPFO via this link and request for Annexure-K.
Thanks for responding Sreekanth 🙂 . Generally everything gets transferred in the transfer claim but is there a separate EPS transfer request ? I am not sure . Is this problem due to 2 UAN ?
Dear Calvin,
Did you submit your grievance & did you get response from EPFO??
Related article : What happens to EPS on Transfer of EPF account (or) when you switch Jobs?
Hi sreekanth,
I have previosly worked on Z company for 6 months on contract they have provided me the pf and form 16 as well.Now i got an offer from another employer to whom i dont want to reveal my old pf account.
My old pf account is empty where i withdrawn all my amount .It is linked with my addhar and Pan.
Can my new employer known my employee history .If yes is there way to close my old pf account.
Dear Bhasker,
Your new UAN with new employer will also be linked to your Aadhaar and your previous service history gets added, your employer can now the details (if they wish to)..
Is there any possibility to close my present pf account
Hi Sir,
I have 2 UAN numbers now, My first company created one and one more by second company. Am working in my third company now , Just got to know about 2 UAN numbers.
I have one PF account linked to my First UAN Number
and 2 PF accounts linked to my second.
Its been more than 3 Yrs since i left my first company. How to Claim the amount linked with first UAN number or can we transfer the amount from first UAN to Second .
I tried to with draw my first PF account amount for which it is asking for form 15G
i was under no tax slab for all those 3 Yrs from 2014-2017.
Please help me here , Am really confused.
Thanks in Adavnce
Srinivas
Did you find a solution for this?
Hi sir, this is Santosh , actually i got 2 UAN no for the currently working company previously when i was working as trainee, company had given 1 UAN no and same company after confirmation. they had given another UAN no .and company has credited employer contribution to both UAN nos .and this is very difficult to apply epf online and i updated everything including aadhar card and pan card on both accounts, kindly suggest
Sir Am Vikas,
I have 2 UAN numbers i joined this new company 2018 may, i have 2 UAN from last 2 years.. can i claim my PF for my first UAN ? If yes please mention procedure.
Dear Vikas,
If you are currently contributing to EPF scheme then suggest you to get the funds from your old EPF a/c to the latest EPF a/c. Your old UAN gets blocked.
Hi! My name is Annu. I had a query on the duplication. I worked with a company and claimed my pf after leaving. But when I joined a new one,I was given a new uan account. I would now like to deregister the old one and register new one. Kindly help.
Dear Annu,
As you do not have any funds in your previous epf account, you may continue with your existing UAN account..Link it with you aadhaar and PAN..
I m maha, i am working in a company for part time, but they provide provident fund, and at the same time i m working in another company , there also they said they will have provident fund here. How to have to companies provident fund without deactivating those two p.f. will it affect r any issues
Dear Maha,
Are these linked to same UAN or different UANs?
Is your Aadhaar & PAN linked to UAN?
Hi Sir,
i relieved from one of Non-IT (some ‘X’) company and they had mentioned as short service as remarks in my UAN EPF portal.
now, I am willing to shift to IT company and i selected in one of the IT company with other Y consultancy documents( They have no PF,UAN and taxes). So,my problem is that shall i forward consulatancy documents without my X company UAN/PF number ( Its linked my AAdhar and PAN card ).
Is there any chance to visible the details of my X company details with aadhar number/PAN number whenever IT company allotting UAN/PF number.
Is there any chance to overcome this?
Kindly suggest in this regards
Hi.. If your existing UAN is linked to your Aadhaar then advisable to share the same uan to your new employer..they can find out your previous service details through your UAN..
i am an accountant. One of our employee brought pf slips to me. And said in previous employment she has two pf numbers but only one is added to uan. now how to add the second one also as there good amount in another pf number.
Kindly she has one new pf number i.e. third one in our new establishment.
Dear Syed,
You mean to say that her last company had created two EPF accounts for her??