EPF-FAQs-Part-III

1. Is it possible for an employee to maintain their PF membership after their retirement?

Yes. an employee can continue to be a member of the EPF even after attaining the superannuation age, which is 58 years. However, the employee will not be required to contribute to the EPS after they reach the superannuation age.

2. Is it possible for an EPF member to cease their membership while actively employed?

EPF members can’t terminate their membership while they are still employed. The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) operates as a retirement savings plan, and its advantages are exclusively accessible to employees who are currently making contributions to the scheme.

If an employee desires to discontinue their EPF membership, they must initially conclude their employment commitment. Following the conclusion of their employment, they become eligible to retrieve the complete balance from their EPF account.

3. In instances where an organization possesses its duly recognized private PF Trust, is it permissible for an employee to be granted the option of maintaining membership solely within the private PF Trust without compulsory enrolment in the EPF?

Yes, an employee can be allowed to join a private PF Trust, but the Trust must first obtain an exemption from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme. The employee will still be governed by the Pension and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Schemes.

4. What is the duration for which an employee can maintain their EPF membership?

An employee can keep their EPF account active even after they leave their job. However, if there are no contributions made to the account for 3 consecutive years, the account will stop earning interest after 3 years.

5. How can one update the exit date on the EPF portal?

To update the exit date on the EPF portal, follow these steps:

1. 1. 1. Sign in to the Member Unified Portal with your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.
      2. Navigate to the Manage tab and choose “Mark exit.”
      3. Select the relevant PF account number from the dropdown menu.
      4. Input the Date of Exit and provide the Reason for exit.
      5. Request an OTP by clicking the appropriate option.
      6. Enter the OTP received on your mobile device.
      7. Check the verification box and click “Update,” then confirm by clicking OK.
      8. You will receive a notification confirming the successful update of your exit date.

6. Which specific date should be stated as the exit date on the EPFO website?

The exit date refers to the final day of employment for an individual within an organization, marking their last working day. 

7. An employee joined a company and left within one day. The company did not pay a salary or deposit the PF contribution. When he checked his service history in the portal, the previous company duration was displayed. However, when he attempted to enter the exit date, a message popped up stating “No PF contribution received in a month”. How to resolve this case?

To revise the exit date, the employee should initially reach out to his former employer and request the settlement of his PF contribution. The employer is legally bound to do so, even if the employee has only worked for one day. If the employer declines to comply, the employee has the option to lodge a formal complaint with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). The EPFO will then conduct a thorough inquiry into the situation and implement necessary measures accordingly. Apart from these employees do not have any other options such as to resolve.

8. I have a problem with my PF UAN account. My name in the EPF account is Kumar Peter, but my middle name is Joseph. This is also the name that is on my Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank passbook. I would like to change my PF name to include my middle name so that it matches the other documents. Can you help me with this?

To change your name in your EPFO account online, you can follow these steps:

Go to the EPFO Member Portal website.

Log in with your UAN number and password.

• • • Click on the “Manage” tab.
    • Select “Modify Basic Details”.
    • Enter your Aadhaar number, name as per Aadhaar, date of birth, and gender.
    • Select your present employer.
    • Click on “Submit”.
    • You will receive a confirmation SMS on your registered mobile number.
    • Your employer will need to approve the request. Once they have approved the request, your name will be updated in the portal within a week.
    • and “Pending at EPF Field Office”, Within a week after approval from EPFO, your Name will be updated in the portal with another confirmation SMS.

9. How to update or change the phone number in EPF UAN?

 The procedure for updating your phone number in EPF UAN online is straightforward but requires some time. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• • Start by visiting the EPFO website’s Unified Member portal section. Log in using your UAN number and Password to proceed to the next step.
  • Locate the ‘Manage’ tab and choose the ‘Contact Details’ option from the drop-down menu. This step is crucial for updating your mobile number or any other contact information.
  • Upon redirection to the page, you’ll find two options: (1) to change your mobile number and (2) to change your email ID. You can opt to change either or both details.
  • If you prefer to change only one, select the relevant option. Input your new mobile number in the provided fields and click on ‘Get Authorization Pin’. An OTP will be sent to your new mobile number.
  • Enter the OTP in the designated field on the next window and click on the ‘Save Changes’ button to complete the process.

10. Is it compulsory to nominate a beneficiary for EPF accounts?

Nominating a beneficiary for your EPF account is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended. This will ensure that your savings are transferred to your chosen beneficiaries smoothly and without any delays while death on service.

11. What is EPF nomination?

EPF nomination is the process of choosing a person to receive your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) savings if you die before you withdraw the amount.

12. Who can I nominate to receive my EPF savings after my death?

Your EPF nominee is the person you choose to receive your EPF savings after your death. This could be your spouse, children, parents, or any other person who meets the eligibility criteria under the EPF Act.

13. What is the process for claiming EPF savings if there is no nomination?

If you do not have an EPF nomination, your EPF savings will be paid to your legal heirs.

14. Is it possible to nominate more than one person to receive my EPF savings?

You can nominate multiple people for your EPF account and specify the percentage of your savings that each nominee will receive. The total percentage must add up to 100%.

15. Is it possible to change my EPF nomination?

You can change your EPF nomination at any time while your account is active. To do this, you need to fill out and submit a new Form 2(E-Nomination Online) to your employer, indicating the changes you wish to make.

16. Is it possible to nominate a minor as the beneficiary of my EPF account?

Yes, it is possible to nominate a minor as the beneficiary of your EPF account. However, you must also appoint a guardian who will receive the funds on behalf of the minor until they reach the age of majority.

17. Can I nominate someone other than a family member, such as a friend or a charity, as the beneficiary of my EPF account?

Yes, it is possible to nominate someone other than a family member, or even a charitable organization, as the beneficiary of your EPF account.

18. How frequently should I review and update the beneficiary information (EPF nomination) for my EPF account?

It is recommended to review your beneficiary information for your EPF account whenever there is a significant change in your family situation, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. Regularly updating your beneficiary information ensures that your preferences are up-to-date.

19. Can my nominee claim my EPF savings while I’m alive?

No, your nominee cannot claim your EPF savings while you are still alive. The nominee’s rights to your EPF savings only come into effect after your death.

20. Is it possible for me to nominate a foreign national as the beneficiary of my EPF account?

It is possible to nominate a foreign national as the beneficiary of your EPF account. However, it is important to be aware of any tax implications or legal requirements that may be associated with such nominations. 

21. What happens if the beneficiary you nominated for your EPF account passes away before you do?

If your nominated beneficiary passes away before you, it is imperative to update your nomination form. If you do not, your EPF savings will be distributed to your legal heirs.

22. Is it possible to nominate different beneficiaries for my EPF and EPS accounts?

Yes, it is possible to nominate different beneficiaries for your EPF and EPS accounts. The nomination forms for each scheme must be submitted separately.

23. What are the procedures for changing the beneficiary of my EPF account after marriage or divorce?

Following marriage or divorce, it is advisable to revise your EPF nomination to accurately represent your altered familial circumstances. Achieve this by furnishing a modified Form 2 ((Online process) to your employer.

24. Is there a specific timeframe within which one must update their EPF nomination following a significant life event?

While there isn’t a rigid deadline, it’s advisable to promptly revise your EPF nomination after a significant life event.

25. Is it possible to alter the nominee details after the demise of the EPF account holder?

No alterations can be made to the nomination after the EPF account holder’s demise; the nominee specified during the account holder’s passing will be the one taken into account for claim resolution.

26. Is it feasible for a nominee to request the EPF funds through online means?

Certainly, in numerous instances, nominees can commence the online EPF withdrawal procedure by providing the essential documentation and required particulars.

27. What is the procedure for the nominee or legal heir to request the PF funds following the demise of the beneficiary?

The nominee or legal successor is required to provide essential documentation, which includes the beneficiary’s death certificate, and bank account of the nominees, to the PF authorities to initiate the process of settling the claim. If e-nomination is done by the deceased employee then it will be processed online.

28. Is it possible for the PF funds to be directly deposited into the bank account of the nominee?

Yes, the PF amount can often be directly transferred to the bank account of the nominee or legal heir after the required documentation is submitted.

29. After the beneficiary’s death, what is the timeline for processing the PF claim?

Within a time, a span of 07 days from the point of claim form submission, all claims about death cases, submitted by the spouse, nominee, or legal heir of an EPF member, should be conclusively settled. This task is to be accomplished at the specific field office responsible for managing the accounts of the deceased member.

30. Do individuals who are legal heirs, but not nominated, have the authority to claim the PF amount?

When there is no mention of a nominee or the nominee is unavailable, the legal heirs are within their rights to jointly apply for the PF amount. As per established practices, the distribution of the PF funds among these legal heirs is carried out by the prevailing legal regulations. However, the legal heirs will need to provide a succession certificate or a probate order to the EPFO to claim the benefits.

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