EPFO UPDATE: For salaried individuals, the Provident Fund (PF) is considered the strongest foundation of their financial security. This is the amount that accumulates gradually over years of hard work and becomes a great support in times of need. However, problems arise when employees lose track of their old PF account details when changing jobs. This problem has been particularly severe for those who worked before 2014.
Why was it more difficult before 2014?
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Before 2014, the Universal Account Number (UAN) facility did not exist. At that time, each company issued separate PF numbers to its employees. As soon as an employee changed jobs, a new PF account was opened, and the old one was left behind. Over time, employees could neither remember their old PF number nor maintain contact with their previous company. In such cases, finding a 10 to 15-year-old PF account seemed almost impossible.
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EPFO Provides a Solution
Considering this problem faced by employees, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has now outlined a simple process. According to EPFO, even if an employee does not have their old PF number, they can still locate their account. For this, the employee needs to visit the EPFO’s Unified Member Portal. After logging in or registering with their mobile number, they can search for their old records through the available services.
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UAN and KYC-linked accounts will be helpful
If the employee’s Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are updated as part of KYC and linked to their UAN, the system automatically finds the old PF account. Even if the account is from 2010 or earlier, providing the correct information will reveal the record. After this, the employee can view their passbook and initiate the process of transferring or withdrawing funds.
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Let’s understand the process with an example
Let’s say an employee named Rahul left a private company in 2011. A new PF account was opened in his new job, and he gradually forgot the details of his old account. Many years later, he needed money for his wedding expenses. He selected the ‘Forgot UAN’ option through the UMANG app and obtained a new UAN using his name, date of birth, and Aadhaar number. He then linked his old PF account to the new one, and within a few days, he received the full amount, including interest.
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Digital convenience makes PF withdrawal even easier
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Under EPFO 3.0, withdrawing money from your PF account has become much easier. Since 2026, PF withdrawal facilities have also been available through ATMs and UPI. This means that employees will no longer need to visit EPFO offices repeatedly. The entire process has become digital and takes significantly less time.
Important advice for employees
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EPFO advises that employees who worked before 2014 should link all their old PF accounts to their UAN. This will not only safeguard their old funds but also ensure that future transfer and withdrawal processes are completed without any issues.