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Withdrawing your Provident Fund (PF) has become significantly easier in recent years, thanks to the digital transformation by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Earlier, members had to submit forms physically through employers, facing long waiting periods and verification delays. Today, with a few clicks on the EPFO portal, you can initiate your PF withdrawal online without any paperwork or middlemen.
However, the process demands accuracy, from verifying KYC details to selecting the proper withdrawal form. Any mismatch can lead to claim rejection.
Do you want to pull out your Provident Fund amount without queuing for hours and waiting for HR to approve your request? If the answer is yes, you can. The digital transformation in India has helped the Provident Fund industry, with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) being the first to digitise processes related to the PF. Workers contributing to a PF account can now withdraw the amount due once they satisfy a few clicks and the conditions set out by the EPFO.
Regardless of whether you are changing jobs, retiring, or requiring some emergency cash, the online withdrawal system has made the entire process as transparent as possible. However, you’ll have to go through back-to-back verification that will not allow any scammer to withdraw your hard-earned cash. So be sure you understand KYC verification, UAN activation, and withdrawal eligibility, so you can collect your money.
Before you begin exploring the online PF withdrawal process, ensure that your account details and identity information are up-to-date and verified. If any information is missing or found to be incorrect, the withdrawal process will either be delayed or, in the worst case, rejected.
Your UAN (Universal Account Number) will serve as the key to access your EPFO account. It consolidates all your PF accounts under a single umbrella. Therefore, ensure that your UAN is active and linked to your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank accounts. To check the current status, you can log in to the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.
Next, you should be prepared to authenticate your identity through the EPFO portal's KYC process. Ensure that your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account are correctly linked and verified. Your name on Aadhar, PAN, and bank account should match the EPFO records. If you have recently changed jobs or banks, update your latest information before submitting the claim.
Next, one should understand that three primary forms are used for different purposes:
Form 19: This form is used for final PF settlement, generally after retirement.
Form 10C: It is for pension withdrawal or Scheme Certificate.
Form 31: That’s for the service persons who want partial withdrawals for medical emergencies or something else.
Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. Complete withdrawals are permitted only after two months of being unemployed or retired. However, partial withdrawals can be made at any time, but they must have a relevant reason.
To ensure smooth processing, please have your documents, including your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank details, ready. Your mobile number should be linked to Aadhaar. An OTP will be sent to that mobile number for final authentication.
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Once all the verifications are done, you have to follow the steps below carefully:
Visit the official EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal and log in using your UAN, password, and captcha code.
Scroll to ‘Manage.’ From there, you go to ‘KYC’ and confirm your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank verification. Please note that claims are only processed after successful KYC verification.
Go to ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’ to initiate your withdrawal request.
Verify the bank details displayed on the screen. If everything is correct, click ‘Proceed for Online Claim.’
Next, a drop-down menu will appear. Choose the type of withdrawal you need, whether it’s a full settlement, partial advance, or pension withdrawal.
Enter the reason for withdrawal, the required amount, and your address. Tick the declaration box to confirm.
An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter it and submit the claim request.
After the claim request is submitted, you can check your claim progress under ‘Track Claim Status.’ Once approved, the amount will be credited to your bank account within 15 working days.
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Once you hit the submit button, there’s no going back. Therefore, one should be clear about their intention before pressing the button and agreeing to the withdrawal. A Provident Fund is a long-term savings account that brings financial security after retirement. Online withdrawal offers flexibility, but premature withdrawal reduces the total savings amount you will receive after retirement.
However, partial withdrawal is sometimes unavoidable, especially in cases of medical emergencies or educational requirements. Still, plan things wisely before withdrawing the amount from your PF.
1. Can I withdraw my PF amount without employer approval?
Ans: Yes, this is possible. There are no restrictions on withdrawing PF even without the employer's approval, provided your UAN is active and the KYC details are fully verified.
2. How long does it take to receive the PF amount?
Ans: Once the claim is approved, generally within 5 to 15 working days, the claimed amount will be deposited into your bank account. However, if the KYC or other details do not match, the processing will take longer.
3. Can I make a partial withdrawal while I am still employed?
Ans: Well, the answer is yes. You can withdraw a certain amount from your PF under certain circumstances, such as home purchase, medical needs, or education.
4. Is the withdrawn PF amount taxable?
Ans: Initially, it's taxable. However, after five years of service, PF withdrawals are tax-free. If you withdraw early, TDS is sometimes applicable.
5. What should I do if my KYC is not linked?
Ans: You must link your KYC, which is a mandatory requirement. Link your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details with UAN before applying. If your claims go with incomplete KYC, they won't be processed.
