The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit scheme aimed at providing financial security to salaried individuals in the private sector in their retirement years. Withdrawing your Provident Fund (PF) has become significantly easier in recent years, thanks to the digital transformation by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

      Important Update: UAN activation by employees is essential for availing online services of EPFO. Members can now withdraw money from their PF accounts through ATMs under the new EPFO 3.0 initiative.
    

Eligibility for EPF Withdrawal Online

You cannot withdraw your EPF balance freely at any time. EPFO allows withdrawal only under certain situations:

Retirement: Full EPF balance can be withdrawn at the age of 58.
Unemployment: A subscriber can withdraw the entire amount after remaining unemployed for at least two months. After one month of unemployment, you can withdraw up to 75%.
Marriage & Education: Up to 50% of the employee’s share can be withdrawn for marriage or higher education.
Medical Emergency: Partial withdrawal is permitted without any minimum service requirement.

Documents Required for EPF Withdrawal

To ensure smooth processing, please have your documents ready. Any mismatch can lead to claim rejection:

Document Type	Requirement Detail
UAN	Must be active and linked to Aadhaar.
Bank Details	Bank account number and IFSC must be verified.
Identity Proof	Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and Voter ID.
Cancelled Cheque	Name, account number, and IFSC must be visible.

Step-by-Step Process to Withdraw PF Online

Follow these steps carefully on the official EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal:

Login: Visit the official portal and log in using your UAN, password, and captcha code.
KYC Verification: Navigate to ‘Manage’ and select ‘KYC’ to confirm your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank verification.
Initiate Claim: Go to ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’.
Bank Verification: Enter the last 4 digits of your bank account number and click ‘Verify’.
Select Withdrawal Type: Choose whether you need a full settlement, partial advance, or pension withdrawal.
Authentication: An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter it and submit the claim request.

Understanding EPF Withdrawal Forms

Selecting the correct form is crucial for a successful application:

Form 19: Used for final PF settlement, generally after retirement or 2 months of unemployment.
Form 10C: For pension withdrawal or obtaining a Scheme Certificate.
Form 31: For employees who want partial withdrawals for medical emergencies, home purchase, or education.
Form 10D: Used for monthly pension claims after 10 years of service.

Tax Implications on PF Withdrawal

Is the withdrawn PF amount taxable?

Tax-Free: PF withdrawals are tax-free if contributions have continued uninterrupted for at least five years.
Taxable: If you withdraw before five years of service, TDS is applicable on amounts exceeding ₹50,000.
PAN Importance: If PAN details are not provided, TDS is deducted at the maximum marginal rate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I withdraw PF without employer approval?

Yes, if your UAN is active and KYC details are fully verified, you can withdraw online without employer intervention.

How long does it take to receive the money?

Once the claim is approved, the amount is usually credited to the bank account within 5 to 15 working days.

Can I withdraw 100% of my PF?

Full withdrawal is allowed only after 2 months of unemployment, retirement, or permanent migration abroad.