The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has substantially simplified the procedure for transferring Provident Fund (PF) accounts for EPFO members who change jobs.

According to a circular on January 15, the employee needs to submit online transfer claims via the previous or current employer has been removed in specified cases. 

“Transfers between Member IDs linked with the same UAN, where the UAN was allotted on or after 01/10/2017 and linked with Aadhaar.

Transfers between Member IDs linked with different UANs, where such UANs were allotted on or after 01/10/2017 and linked with the same Aadhaar. 

Transfers between Member IDs linked with the same UAN, where the UAN was allotted prior to 01/10/2017, is linked with Aadhaar, and the name, date of birth (DOB), and gender is identical across the Member IDs.

Transfers between Member IDs linked with different UANs, where at least one of the UANs was allotted prior to 01/10/2017, is linked with the same Aadhaar, and the name, DOB, and gender are identical across the Member IDs.”

Same UAN Same Aadhaar: If there are multiple EPF accounts linked to the same UAN (created on or after 01/10/2017) and your Aadhaar card is linked to your UAN, then transfers between these accounts will be allowed. 

Different UANs, Same Aadhaar: In this case let us say you have different EPF accounts with different UANs. But they are LinkedIn to the same Aadhaar. Then you can transfer between these accounts. 

Same UAN ( Issued before 01/10/2017): Let us say that the UAN was created before 01/10/2017, and it is linked with Aadhaar. Then transfers are allowed between accounts linked to the same UAN. However, the name, date of birth, and gender need to be the same across the accounts.

Different UANs (at least one issued before 01/10/2017): Also, in a situation where at least one of the UANs was created before 1/10/2017 and is linked to the same Aadhaar, then transfers are allowed between these accounts. Here too, the name, date of birth, and gender need to be the same across the accounts.

Why It Is Essential to Link Your UAN And Aadhaar 

You must link your UAN with Aadhar for seamless management of your EPF account. It makes the KYC process simpler and ensures accurate identity verification. It also speeds up the entire process of transfers and withdrawals. It also reduces the risk of fraud which prevents unauthorized access to your account. Also linking Aadhar is mandatory for availing online services which include claims and enrolment for pension scheme enrolment.