Hi Sir, I have stopped EPF contributions wef Sept 23 due to end of my regular job at age of 57. Do I need to withdraw exactly as soon as I complete 58? Or I can park the money in EPFO to earn interest and withdraw when I require later? Do I need to

Ans: 1. You can withdraw up to 75% of the net balance in your EPF account, or three months of your basic salary plus dearness allowance, whichever is lower.
2. You can withdraw 100% of your EPF amount if you are unemployed for more than two months as per old rule.
3. You can withdraw up to 50% of your EPF amount for the marriage of your child or for their education after class 10.
4. You can withdraw up to 90% of your EPF amount if you are 54 years of age or above.

There is no maximum limit for the amount that can be withdrawn from your EPF account. However, you will need to pay income tax on the amount withdrawn if you have not contributed to your EPF account for at least five years.

The amount can be left in your EPF account after the contribution stops for an indefinite period of time. However, if you do not withdraw the amount after a certain period of time, it will be transferred to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS).

Ans: You should withdraw your EPF(with interest)and invest in PMVVY, SCSS, Postal MIS(15, 30, 15, total 60L) since these come with sovereign safety.

Then look at FDs but prefer Big/Govt banks and do split it into small ticket size across banks.

Ensure adequate healthcare support for self and spouse in retirement.

SWP from MFs is also an option to get periodic payments from MF corpus but you will need advice from an MF advisor to plan this.

*Investments in mutual funds are subjected to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing

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Ans: Congratulations on your new opportunity abroad. It's great to see you're planning your EPF withdrawal wisely. Let's address your queries in detail.

When Can You Withdraw Your Full EPF?
You can withdraw your EPF under certain conditions:

Retirement: Full EPF withdrawal is allowed at the age of 58.

Unemployment: If you are unemployed for more than two months, you can withdraw your EPF.

Early Withdrawals
Partial Withdrawal: You can partially withdraw for specific reasons like home purchase, marriage, or education.

After 50: Since you are 50, you can withdraw up to 90% of your EPF one year before your retirement.

Upto What Age Can You Earn Interest on Your EPF?
Your EPF account earns interest until you withdraw the amount. However, there are important points to consider:

Active Accounts: As long as you are contributing, your EPF account remains active and earns interest.

Inactive Accounts: If there are no contributions for three years, your account becomes inactive.

Interest on Inactive Accounts
Interest Continuation: Even if your account is inactive, it continues to earn interest until the age of 58.

Post 58: After 58, interest is credited only if you have not withdrawn the EPF balance.

Tax on EPF Interest
Understanding the tax implications on EPF interest is crucial:

Exempted Interest: Interest earned on EPF is tax-free if you complete five continuous years of service.

Pre-Mature Withdrawal: If you withdraw before completing five years, interest is taxable.

Taxation on Withdrawals
After 5 Years: Withdrawals after five years are tax-free.

Before 5 Years: Taxable as per your income slab, and TDS is deducted if the amount exceeds Rs 50,000.

Analytical Insights
Full EPF Withdrawal at Retirement
Withdrawing EPF at 58 ensures you benefit from tax-free interest. Your funds continue to grow, providing a substantial retirement corpus.

Managing Inactive EPF Accounts
It's wise to keep track of your EPF account even if it's inactive. Ensure your KYC details are updated to avoid any complications during withdrawal.

Tax Planning
Consider tax implications before withdrawing your EPF. Plan withdrawals strategically to minimise tax liability.

Benefits of Regular Monitoring
Regularly monitor your EPF account to ensure it's earning interest. Update your bank details and KYC to avoid any issues during withdrawal.

Conclusion
By understanding when to withdraw your EPF, the interest it earns, and the tax implications, you can make informed decisions. Regular monitoring and strategic planning will help you maximise your EPF benefits.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: We always maintained that EPF account becomes inactive after 36 months of continuous non contribution and doesn't draw interest after that so it is advisable for complete withdrawal before the same.
Thanks for the update though!

Ans: As stated by EPFO, members transaction less account (except interest credit) will be inoperative after 36 consecutive months of no contribution.

Hence it is advisable that you withdraw your EPF corpus and invest in other avenues.