Confused about PF calculation? A financial advisor answers your questions

Ans: Thanks Mr Narayanan.

Ans: Hello Anjan,

I understand that you left your company, L&T, in 2013 and are now looking to withdraw your provident fund (PF) amounting to ?22,000. Not knowing your PF number can be challenging, but there are ways to retrieve it and proceed with your withdrawal.

Steps to Retrieve Your PF Number
1. Contact Your Previous Employer
Reach out to the Human Resources (HR) or Payroll department of L&T. They should have records of your employment and can provide your PF number. Explain your situation and provide details such as your employee ID, the period of your employment, and any other relevant information.

2. Check Your Payslips
If you have access to your old payslips, they might contain your PF number. Payslips usually have detailed breakdowns of your salary, including deductions for PF.

3. Use the UAN Portal
If your Universal Account Number (UAN) was generated during your employment, you can retrieve your PF details through the UAN portal.

Visit the EPFO website: UAN Portal

Activate UAN: If not already done, activate your UAN by clicking on 'Activate UAN' and following the steps. You will need your Member ID, Aadhaar, or PAN.

Check PF Details: Once your UAN is activated, you can log in to the portal and view your PF account details.

4. EPFO Helpdesk
Contact the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) helpdesk. They can assist you in retrieving your PF number using your personal details and employment history.

EPFO Helpdesk Number: 1800 118 005

Email: Contact your regional EPFO office via email. Find the contact details on the EPFO website.

Steps to Withdraw Your PF
Once you have retrieved your PF number, you can proceed with the withdrawal process.

1. Fill Out the Composite Claim Form
There are two types of forms based on whether you have an Aadhaar:

Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar): If your UAN is Aadhaar-seeded and KYC-compliant, you can submit this form directly to the EPFO office without employer attestation.

Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar): If your UAN is not Aadhaar-seeded, you need your employer's attestation before submitting this form to the EPFO office.

2. Submit the Form
Submit the filled form to your regional EPFO office. Ensure you attach all necessary documents such as your identity proof, bank account details, and cancelled cheque.

3. Online Submission (if UAN is Active)
If your UAN is active and Aadhaar-seeded, you can also apply for PF withdrawal online:

Log in to UAN Member Portal: UAN Portal

Go to Online Services: Select 'Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)'.

Enter Bank Account Details: Verify your bank account details linked with UAN.

Submit Claim: Select the claim you require (PF withdrawal, pension withdrawal, etc.), and submit.

4. Track Your Claim
After submission, you can track the status of your claim through the UAN portal or by contacting the EPFO helpdesk.

Conclusion
By following these steps, you can retrieve your PF number and proceed with the withdrawal process. It may take some time, but persistence will help you access your funds.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in