Has Your PF Money Been Credited? Here’s How to Check Your Status Online
Switching jobs is common, but many employees forget to transfer or close their old Provident Fund accounts in the process. Over time, small balances remain untouched in these accounts. For years, such amounts have stayed unclaimed. Now, there is good news for account holders. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has begun a special drive to refund small balances lying in long inactive PF accounts. This step has been taken under the guidance of the Union Labour Ministry and is expected to benefit lakhs of workers across the country.
The highlight of this move is convenience. Eligible members will not have to file a separate claim or run from office to office. The refund will be credited directly to their Aadhaar linked bank accounts, provided their details are correctly updated in the EPFO records.
Which Accounts Are Eligible for Refund?
As per recent data, around 31 lakh PF accounts across India have been identified as inactive for a long period. Out of these, nearly 6 lakh accounts have balances of ₹1,000 or less. These low balance accounts are being prioritised under the current refund process.
If your old PF account has been inactive for several years and the balance is ₹1,000 or below, the amount will be transferred automatically to your Aadhaar linked bank account. However, this will happen only if your Aadhaar number is verified and linked with your UAN, and your bank account details are updated in the system.
If your details are incomplete or mismatched, the transfer may not go through. In that case, you will need to update your KYC details through the EPFO portal to receive the refund smoothly.
What Makes a PF Account Inactive?
A PF account becomes inoperative if it does not receive any contribution for three consecutive years and no withdrawal is made during that period. This often happens when employees change jobs but forget to transfer the balance to their new employer’s PF account.
It is important to understand that an inactive account is not permanently closed. You can reactivate your old Universal Account Number when you join a new organisation by linking it to your new employer. The balance can then be transferred or managed as required.
There have also been cases where companies deducted PF from salaries but delayed depositing it with EPFO. To strengthen compliance and monitoring, EPFO is integrating its system with government platforms such as the Government e Marketplace and the GST department. This step is aimed at identifying companies that do not follow PF rules and ensuring better transparency.
How to Check Your PF Balance and Status
If you think you may have an old inactive PF account , checking your status is simple. You can use any of the following methods:
What Should You Do Now?
If you have changed jobs in the past and never checked your old PF account, now is the time to act. Make sure your Aadhaar, PAN and bank details are correctly linked to your UAN. Updating your KYC information can help avoid delays in receiving the refund.
This initiative is a positive step towards ensuring that even small savings reach employees without complicated procedures. It also highlights the importance of keeping your employment records updated and tracking your PF account regularly. Even a small amount left behind is your hard earned money, and it deserves to come back to you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details through the official Employees' Provident Fund Organisation website or authorised channels. Rules and procedures may change as per government notifications.
The highlight of this move is convenience. Eligible members will not have to file a separate claim or run from office to office. The refund will be credited directly to their Aadhaar linked bank accounts, provided their details are correctly updated in the EPFO records.
Which Accounts Are Eligible for Refund?
As per recent data, around 31 lakh PF accounts across India have been identified as inactive for a long period. Out of these, nearly 6 lakh accounts have balances of ₹1,000 or less. These low balance accounts are being prioritised under the current refund process.If your old PF account has been inactive for several years and the balance is ₹1,000 or below, the amount will be transferred automatically to your Aadhaar linked bank account. However, this will happen only if your Aadhaar number is verified and linked with your UAN, and your bank account details are updated in the system.
If your details are incomplete or mismatched, the transfer may not go through. In that case, you will need to update your KYC details through the EPFO portal to receive the refund smoothly.
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What Makes a PF Account Inactive?
A PF account becomes inoperative if it does not receive any contribution for three consecutive years and no withdrawal is made during that period. This often happens when employees change jobs but forget to transfer the balance to their new employer’s PF account. It is important to understand that an inactive account is not permanently closed. You can reactivate your old Universal Account Number when you join a new organisation by linking it to your new employer. The balance can then be transferred or managed as required.
There have also been cases where companies deducted PF from salaries but delayed depositing it with EPFO. To strengthen compliance and monitoring, EPFO is integrating its system with government platforms such as the Government e Marketplace and the GST department. This step is aimed at identifying companies that do not follow PF rules and ensuring better transparency.
How to Check Your PF Balance and Status
If you think you may have an old inactive PF account , checking your status is simple. You can use any of the following methods:- Log in to the official EPFO member portal using your UAN and password. Go to the passbook section to view your balance and contribution details.
- Use the UMANG app to access your PF passbook and other services directly from your phone.
- Give a missed call from your registered mobile number to receive your PF balance via SMS.
- Send an SMS from your registered mobile number in the prescribed format to get balance details instantly.
What Should You Do Now?
If you have changed jobs in the past and never checked your old PF account, now is the time to act. Make sure your Aadhaar, PAN and bank details are correctly linked to your UAN. Updating your KYC information can help avoid delays in receiving the refund. This initiative is a positive step towards ensuring that even small savings reach employees without complicated procedures. It also highlights the importance of keeping your employment records updated and tracking your PF account regularly. Even a small amount left behind is your hard earned money, and it deserves to come back to you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details through the official Employees' Provident Fund Organisation website or authorised channels. Rules and procedures may change as per government notifications.
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