Understanding your Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) account and its lifecycle is crucial for every member. While closing an EPF account isn’t as straightforward as a bank account, this guide clarifies your options and eligibility criteria.
Table of Contents
- Closing Your EPF Account:
- Benefits of UAN-Enabled Transfers:
- Beyond Closure: Utilizing Your PF Account:
Closing Your EPF Account:
Unlike banking accounts, closing an EPF account happens under specific circumstances:
- Job Cessation and Unemployment: You can close your EPF account and withdraw the entire amount after leaving your job and remaining unemployed for over two months.
- UAN-Enabled Transfers: With the Universal Account Number (UAN) system, closing individual accounts is less common. When switching jobs, your PF contributions automatically transfer to the new employer’s account through the UAN portal.
Benefits of UAN-Enabled Transfers:
- Simplified Management: UAN acts as a single umbrella for all your PF accounts across different employers, eliminating the need for frequent closures and openings.
- Seamless Transfers: PF contributions automatically move to your new account, ensuring continuity and preventing fund loss.
- Enhanced Transparency: You gain easy access to all your PF account details through the UAN portal, offering greater control and visibility.
Beyond Closure: Utilizing Your PF Account:
Closing your EPF account isn’t the only way to access your funds. You can also avail of:
- PF Advances: Withdraw a portion of your PF corpus for specific purposes like marriage, education, medical treatment, or home construction/purchase.
- EPS Pension: After attaining retirement age, you can claim a regular pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) linked to your PF account.
source: www.epfindia.gov.in
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