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EPFO new withdrawal rules: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recently introduced significant changes to its withdrawal rules, bringing
a major shift in how members can access their provident fund savings. The move aims to simplify the complex withdrawal system and enhance ease of access for EPF members. With provisions like the merger of 13 withdrawal clauses into three simplified categories and removing the need for documentation in some cases, the new EPFO rule makes it easier for employees to access their funds while still encouraging long-term retirement savings. With the introduction of the EPFO’s new withdrawal rules, let’s check some seamless ways to check PF balance in minutes. Whether you prefer a digital approach or a simple offline method, check these five quick ways to know your EPF balance:
1. Check PF balance via missed call
Members registered EPFO on the UAN portal can get their details available with EPFO by giving a missed call to 9966044425 from their registered Mobile number.
If the UAN of the member is seeded with any one of the bank A/C number, Aadhaar or PAN, the member will get details of the last contribution and their PF balance. However, before availing of this facility, members should make sure of the following:
1. Their mobile number must be activated with UAN at the Unified Portal.
2. Any one of the following KYC must be available against the UAN:
a. Bank A/c Number.
b. Aadhaar
c. PAN
Your call will automatically be disconnected after 2 rings, and you will not have to pay anything to use this service.
2. Check PF balance via SMS
The UAN-activated members can also check their PF contribution and balance with EPFO by sending an SMS to 7738299899 from their UAN-registered mobile number.
Use the format: EPFOHO UAN (Be sure to replace "UAN" with your actual Universal Account Number).
To receive the information in a regional language, just add the corresponding language code after your UAN. For instance:
For Hindi: EPFOHO UAN HIN
For Tamil: EPFOHO UAN TAM
The facility is available in 10 languages, and EPFO will respond with details of the last PF contribution, current balance, and available KYC information.
3. Check PF balance using UMANG app
To check your EPF balance using your smartphone, the easiest way is through the UMANG app. Simply download UMANG app from the Play Store or App Store, log in, and link your Universal Account Number (UAN) to enable access to all EPFO services.
Once linked, you can easily view your PF balance, track contributions, and even initiate claims directly within the app. The UMANG app also allows you to quickly view a summary of the last three months of transactions in your Pension Account; for a full record, the complete passbook can be downloaded as a PDF.
4. Check PF balance online via EPFO website
Step 1: Visit the official website of EPFO at https://www.epfindia.gov.in
Step 2: Click on Services for Employees, and to Member Passbook under this.
Step 3: Log in using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password registered on the EPFO portal.
Step 4: Once logged in, you can view your monthly contributions, employer’s share, and total PF balance.
5. How exempted establishments employees can check their EPFO balance?
Employees who work for exempted establishments cannot check their PF establishments using these methods. This is because these establishments are authorized to manage their employees' PF funds internally and are exempt from contributing to the standard provident fund scheme. Such employees can check their PF balance by checking their salary slip, accessing the company’s internal employee portal or by contacting the HR department.
EPFO withdrawal new rules
100% eligible partial withdrawal allowed – Including employer share
The EPF members can now withdraw up to 100 per cent of their eligible balance, which includes both their own contributions and the employer’s share. Earlier, full withdrawal of the employer share was restricted and allowed only under specific conditions, like retirement or unemployment. This change ensures that employees can access their 100 per cent partial eligible amount when needed.
EPFO new rules: Simplified categories for partial withdrawals
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has replaced 13 different withdrawal rules with just three simplified categories:
- Essential Needs: For illness, education, or marriage
- Housing Needs: For buying or building a house
- Special Circumstances: Without needing to provide specific reasons
- This restructuring eliminates confusion and speeds up claim processing.
Liberalized limits for marriage and education withdrawals
Under the EPFO new withdrawal rules announced at the 238th CBT meeting, the withdrawal limits have been liberalised, education withdrawals are now allowed up to 10 times, and marriage up to 5 times, compared to the previous combined limit of 3 times for both purposes.
Minimum service period reduced to 12 months
Previously, members had to complete varying lengths of service to qualify for partial withdrawals. The EPFO new rules have standardised this to just 12 months, making the benefit accessible to a broader section of the workforce, especially newer employees.
No justification needed for ‘Special Circumstances’
Earlier, for emergencies like natural calamities, unemployment, or epidemics, members had to provide reasons and documentation. This often led to claim rejections. Under the new EPFO rule, members can apply without stating any reason under this category, significantly reducing delays.
EPFO new withdrawal rules: Minimum balance requirement introduced
A new provision mandates that 25% of the member’s total PF contribution must be retained as a minimum balance. This ensures the member continues to benefit from the 8.25% interest rate and compounding benefits while using the rest of the funds for urgent needs.
Auto-settlement and reduced documentation
With the EPFO new rule scheme simplification, partial withdrawal claims can now be 100% auto-settled, with zero documentation required. This automation ensures faster disbursal and a hassle-free experience.
Extended time for final settlements
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation also changed timelines for premature final settlement of EPF, from 2 months to 12 months, and for final pension withdrawal from 2 months to 36 months. This gives members greater flexibility without affecting long-term retirement planning.
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