Ready to access your Provident Fund (PF) and pension savings? This detailed guide breaks down the entire online withdrawal process into easy-to-follow steps. Whether you're withdrawing your PF money, pension amount, or both, we’ll show you exactly how to do it from the comfort of your home. The whole procedure is quick and efficient, and you can expect the full amount to be credited to your bank account within a week.
Let’s get started and demystify the process.
Step 1: Navigating to the EPFO Member Portal
The first crucial step is to get to the right place on the internet.
- Open Google and search for "epfo".
- Click on the official website link for the "Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation". It's usually the first result.
- Once on the main page, navigate to the 'Services' tab at the top and select 'For Employees'.
- On the next screen, you will see a list of services. Click on 'Member UAN/Online Services'.
This will take you to the main login page where all the magic happens. Bookmark this page for future reference!
Step 2: Logging In with Your UAN and Password
Your Universal Account Number (UAN) is your key to accessing all EPFO services.
- If you know your UAN and password, simply enter them along with the captcha to sign in.
- If you don't know your UAN, don't worry. Look for the 'Know Your UAN' link on the login page. By entering your Aadhaar and mobile number, you can easily retrieve your UAN.
- If your UAN is not activated, click on 'Activate UAN' to generate a password. This is a one-time process.
After entering your UAN and password, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the mobile number registered with your UAN. Enter this OTP to complete the login and access your account dashboard.
Step 3: The Three Essential Pre-Checks
Before you initiate any withdrawal, you must ensure three key conditions are met to avoid claim rejection.
- KYC Verification: Your Know Your Customer (KYC) details must be approved. Go to the 'Manage' tab and click on 'KYC'. Check that your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account details are listed with the status 'Approved'. If not, you must update and submit them for approval.
- Merging PF Accounts: If you have worked for multiple employers, you might have more than one PF account. These must be merged into a single account to withdraw the full amount. You can check your account history by clicking on 'View' and then 'Service History'.
- Date of Exit: For a full PF withdrawal, your "Date of Exit" from your last job must be updated in the EPFO records. Go to the 'Manage' tab and select 'Mark Exit'. You can only withdraw your full PF and pension amounts two months after this date. This is a crucial eligibility rule.
Once you have verified that all three of these conditions are met, you are ready to file your claim.
Step 4: Filing Your PF Withdrawal Claim (Form 19)
This form is specifically for withdrawing the Provident Fund amount, including your and your employer's contributions plus the interest earned.
- From your dashboard, go to the 'Online Services' tab and select 'Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)'.
- A new page will appear. First, you'll need to re-enter your bank account number (the one linked to your KYC) and click 'Verify'.
- Read and agree to the terms and conditions by clicking 'Yes'.
- Click on 'Proceed Online Claim'.
- On the next page, under the 'I want to apply for' dropdown menu, select 'Only PF withdrawal (Form 19)'.
- You may be prompted to upload Form 15G. This is an income tax declaration form. You should upload this if your PF amount is over ₹50,000 and you have worked for less than five years. Submitting Form 15G prevents a 10% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) from being applied to your withdrawal.
- Fill in your complete address in the designated fields.
- Click 'Get Aadhaar OTP'.
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click 'Validate OTP and Submit Claim'.
You will see a success message indicating your claim has been submitted. The money is usually credited within seven days.
Step 5: Filing Your Pension Withdrawal Claim (Form 10C)
After successfully submitting your PF withdrawal, it's time to claim your pension amount.
- Go back to the 'Online Services' tab and select 'Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)' again.
- Just like before, enter your bank account number and click 'Verify'.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and click 'Proceed Online Claim'.
- This time, under the 'I want to apply for' dropdown, select 'Only Pension withdrawal (Form 10C)'.
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click 'Validate OTP and Submit Claim Form'.
Your pension claim is now successfully submitted. You will receive a confirmation, and the amount will be credited to your account within a week.
What Happens Next?
The entire process is automated, so you don't need to visit any EPFO office. You can track the status of your claims online through the portal.
By following these simple steps, you can confidently and quickly withdraw your entire PF and pension amounts without any hassle.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The process and requirements may change over time. Always refer to the official EPFO website and guidelines for the most accurate and up-to-date information.