EPFO PF Funds Transfers: Easy & Simple Steps are Explained

In what is likely to aid over 1.25 cr employees, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made the process of transferring provident fund accounts on switching jobs hassle-free by cutting the time by almost half. This comes in the form of a significant reform to Form 13, which removes the requirement of employer approval in most circumstances and makes the process of moving accounts between jobs easier.

Seamless Transfers Without Employer Approval

Earlier, transferring a PF account required approval from two EPFO offices—the Source Office from where the money originated and the Destination Office, where the new account was credited. That meant employees switching jobs typically faced delays and headaches.

The Destination Office can now see the digitally signed claim and do the needful without the physical claim form being transferred to them. With the release of the new Revamped Form 13, the EPFO has discontinued the requirement for the Destination Office to approve the transfer. Once the claim is settled by the Source Office, the balance in the old PF account gets automatically and instantaneously transferred to the new PF account.

This is in line with EPFO’s vision of improving the “Ease of Living” experience for members by ensuring that there are no roadblocks for them while moving jobs.

Better Tax Transparency with EPFO PF Funds Transfers

Other salient changes in the revised system include the obvious distinction between the taxable and non-taxable part of PF accumulations. This would help calculate Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on PF interest more accurately, which was so far a grey area for many members.

“With this amendment in the EPF scheme, it is expected that the process of transfer of EPF would be speedy and very comfortable for the subscriber,” the Ministry of Labour & Employment said in a statement today, quoting Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

Bulk UAN Generation Made Easier

In order to offer better services to the members, EPFO has relaxed conditions and namely the date of joining and exit under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and the requirement of Aadhaar in the generation of UAN. This is especially useful for:

• Members having PF or EPS corpus in the hands of the Exempted PF Trusts
• Litigants, claimants with survivors, with recoveries, with creditable past contributions

And now, a new feature has been added for bulk UAN generation on the basis of the details of the available members, without the requirement for Aadhaar. But, for security, these UANS are going to stay locked till the time Aadhaar is seeded.

Streamlined Services and Grievance Redressal

All these overhauls – right from PF transfer automation to easing of UAN generation norms – are a part of EPFO’s endeavour to improve service calibre and ease persistent member complaints. The new systems are also anticipated to enable for automatic settlement of valid claims, which should bring a smoother process for employees.

Also Read: EPFO Pension Hike 2025: Benefits For Retirees in This New Plan

Key Highlights at a Glance – EPFO PF Funds Transfers:

• Most of the time, there is no employer’s consent for PF transfer
• New Form 13 has been launched to expedite the automatic transfer process
• Clear split of taxable vs non-taxable PF interest for TDS correctly adjudication
• PF deposit of ₹ 90,000 crore likely to get faster every year
• Bulk UAN generation without Aadhaar can also be done (temporarily defaulted due to security)

These forward-looking reforms will make it easier for millions of Indian workers to change jobs and make retirement savings more secure.