Kolkata: If you started your job before 2014 or didn’t have your Aadhaar and UAN at that time, there is a positive development for you. EPFO of the Employees’
Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a new Aadhaar-based digital portal. This portal will allow employees to search their old and inactive EPF accounts, link them to their current UAN, or make a lump sum claim.
Crux of the problem
Before 2014 employees were not issued any Universal Account Number (UAN), the unique 14 digit number that is assigned to each EPFO subscriber. At that time, each company issued a unique Member ID for its employees. A new Member ID was created upon changing jobs. Consequently, many employees could end up creating separate EPF accounts, each for each new job. But these accounts were never linked to each other. Later, the system of linking UAN and Aadhaar was rolled out. However, the old accounts of lakhs of employees have not been linked even today.
Money still lying unclaimed
According to RTI data, there were approximately 30.91 lakh inactive EPF accounts and the money deposited in these amount to about Rs 9,330 crore. This data pertains to FY26. The new portal will help identify such accounts.
On the new portal an employee will first have to verify his/her identity through Aadhaar, after which the system will search for old EPF accounts based on Aadhaar and other available information. After receiving the account, employees will be able to choose two options.
Transfer of old EPF account amount to existing UAN or opt for one-time settlement of inactive accounts. This entire process will involve less paperwork than was required earlier.
What to do if you do not remember Member ID or UAN?
It is entirely possible that one does not remember the member ID or UAN. In such a situation, even if you don’t remember your old Member ID or UAN, your EPF funds are still safe. First, contact your former employer. They can retrieve your old Member ID or UAN through the EPFO Employer Portal.
If the old UAN was not created, a new UAN can also be obtained for the active EPF account through the ‘UAN Allotment for Existing PF Account’ option on the EPFO Member Portal.
What if the company had closed down?
Even if the old company has closed down, there’s no need to panic. In such cases, employees can contact their regional EPFO office with their old Member ID and other relevant documents. After verification, the EPFO will search the old records and help link the account to the current UAN.
How to link old EPF account with existing UAN?
The old account can be linked to the current UAN through the ‘One Member – One EPF Account’ facility available on the EPFO’s Unified Member Portal. To do this, go to the Services section and select the ‘Request for Transfer of Account’ option. The transfer process will be completed after Aadhaar verification and record matching.
Documents you would need
To avail of the services of this new EPFO facility, one should have the following documents ready:
Aadhar Card (Mobile number must be linked with Aadhar for OTP)
Old EPF account details, such as Member ID, regional office code and name of old employer
PAN card
Active bank account linked to existing UAN
