Under the EPF scheme, a certain percentage of the employee's salary is deducted to deposit in Provident Fund. An employee can contribute at least 12% of their Basic Salary or even more to the PF fund, whether an employer cannot contribute more than 12% of the employee's basic salary in EPF.

The EPFO has made provision for employees to transfer their EPF balance from the previous employer to a new employer with ease. The PF amount, along with interest, assists an employee gets a lump sum amount during their retirement. The process for PF Transfer is easy with UAN (Universal Account Number).

An employee can get the claim attested by the current employer or the previous employer in the PF transfer. After submitting the Provident Fund transfer form online, it needs to be verified, approved and advanced through the online portal by the employer. 

Why transfer Provident Fund?

An employee does not need to close the EPF account with the previous employer while switching jobs; instead can transfer the PF account to the new employer. PF fund is a long-term and safe investment for employees, which is looked after by the Indian Government.

Therefore, if an employee is working but switching jobs, it is recommended to make an EPF transfer than withdrawing the PF amount as it remains ideal for retirement. You can also raise your grievances through a tool called Grievance Management System.

Documents and Information Required for PF Transfer

The following information or the documents should be ready while submitting an EPF transfer online:

• Revised Form 13
• Past and current details of the PF account
• Original Identity Proof Aadhar/PAN or Driving License
• The registered mobile number given on the EPFO website should activate the provided on the EPFO website.
• Activated UAN 
• An approved e-KYC
• Details of Current Employer
• Enterprise Number
• PF Account Number
• Bank account details 

One needs to meet the above requirements/conditions to proceed with an online claim submission in the EPFO portal. If not, an employee can visit the e-SEWA portal, which the EPFO manages, to seed the KYC and other required details.

Procedure for Provident Fund online transfer 

Follow the steps below to transfer your PF fund:

Login to the EPFO portal online with your UAN and password.

• Under the home page's main menu, go to the 'online services' tab and select Transfer request. your claim will not be processed. 
  

• Once you verify your details, submit the transfer request by selecting the current employer or the previous employer option. 
• You would see your PF account details of your previous employer on clicking the 'get details' option.
• After filling in the details of your employer and click on submit, you will receive OTP on your registered mobile number. 
• Then complete the authentication by typing the OTP received in the space provided and click on the 'submit button.
• Now submit a self-attested copy of your online PF transfer request to the employer you have selected within ten days of submitting the request. 
• Your employer will also receive the notification of the PF transfer.
• After verifying the employee's details, the employer will approve the PF transfer request digitally to the EPFO portal, after which the claim will get processed.
• Once approved, your PF will be transferred to your new account.
• You could also track the status of PF transfer online by going to the "Track application status" check below the online services dropdown on the EPFO portal.
•  
  

FAQs

1) How do I tell the status of my PF transfer?

Yes. Members can redirect to the EPFO passbook sheet, log in by their UAN and password, and learn about the status.

2) Is the EPFO member inferred about the PF transfer moved?

Members can request proof of the Transfer Document (Annexure-K) — indicated on this transferee PF Trust or this Regional P.F. Commissioner/P.F. Trust — giving full details of the transfer of the EPF department.

3) Does a member have to apply under EPFO again for an EPF transfer between one company to another?

The employee should be enrolled as a division under the new company to get any PF funds to shift from the old company.

4) How are PF paid to the member if PF balance from the past are not transferred on cancellation of exemption?

The local Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC) duty is to assure the shift of money and securities. The RPFC will further provide a transfer of the PF dues to the EPFO member.

5) Is there a provision for transferring a member's PF account if there is a change in the company?

When changing companies, a member must always get the PF account assigned from the previous employer to the current employer by submitting Form 13(R). Alternatively, that member can further ask for a transfer online by logging inside the EPFO portal, including an original UAN plus password.