Lost Your Old PF Account? EPFO Shares an Easy Way to Track a 15-Year-Old PF

For most salaried employees, the Provident Fund (PF) is the backbone of long-term financial security. Built slowly over years of work, it often becomes a lifesaver during major life events or emergencies. But for many people, especially those who changed jobs before 2014, tracking old PF accounts turned into a frustrating challenge.

Why pre-2014 PF accounts were hard to trace

Before 2014, there was no Universal Account Number (UAN). Every time an employee switched jobs, a fresh PF account number was issued. The old account stayed with the previous employer, and over time, employees forgot the details or lost contact with the company. As years passed, locating a 10–15-year-old PF account felt nearly impossible.

EPFO’s simple fix for an old problem

To address this long-standing issue, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out an easier way to find forgotten PF accounts. Even if you don’t remember your old PF number, you can still trace it by logging into the EPFO Unified Member Portal using your mobile number. The portal allows users to search old employment records and link them to their current profile.

UAN and KYC make the process seamless

If your Aadhaar, PAN and bank details are updated and linked with your UAN, the system can automatically identify old PF accounts, even those from 2010 or earlier. Once found, you can check the passbook, transfer the balance to your current account, or withdraw the funds without hassle.

A real-life example

Take Rahul, who left a private company in 2011 and later forgot his old PF details. Years later, when he needed funds for his wedding, he used the ‘Forgot UAN’ option on the UMANG app. By entering his name, date of birth and Aadhaar number, he generated a new UAN, linked his old PF account, and received the full amount with interest within days.

PF withdrawals are now fully digital

With EPFO 3.0, accessing PF money has become faster than ever. From 2026 onwards, PF withdrawals are also available via ATMs and UPI, eliminating repeated visits to EPFO offices. The entire process is now digital, quicker and far more employee-friendly.

What employees should do now

EPFO strongly advises anyone who worked before 2014 to link all their old PF accounts with their UAN. Doing this not only protects your hard-earned savings but also ensures smooth transfers and withdrawals in the future, when you need the money the most.

Tracking an old PF account is no longer a daunting task, even for employees who changed jobs before 2014. With UAN, KYC-linked details, and fully digital EPFO services, locating, transferring, or withdrawing PF money has become simple and fast. By linking all old PF accounts to a single UAN, employees can secure their long-term savings and ensure easy access to their hard-earned funds whenever the need arises.