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Private company PF: How long can I leave it & still get interest?

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Milind Vadjikar is an independent MF distributor registered with Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and a retirement financial planning advisor registered with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
He has a mechanical engineering degree from Government Engineering College, Sambhajinagar, and an MBA in international business from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.
With over 16 years of experience in stock investments, and over six year experience in investment guidance and support, he believes that balanced asset allocation and goal-focused disciplined investing is the key to achieving investor goals.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Dec 16, 2024Hindi
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Hi, I was working for a pvt company for 24 years. I am no longer working with them now. My PF amount is lying in the trust formed by the same company. How long can i leave PF amount with them & still get paid for interest. Please suggest?

Ans: Hello;

As per rules, upto 55+3(grace)=58 years.

But I would recommend you to withdraw it and reinvest it in NPS or transfer it to your new employer, if any.

Best wishes;
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Asked by Anonymous - Aug 02, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir I heve recently left job .My organisation was an MNC. Co is having there own trust for PF.My questions are 1) How long will my account get interest. 2) Can i transfer my Pf amount to EPFO
Ans: Leaving a job, especially from an MNC, brings many financial decisions. One of the key aspects is handling your Provident Fund (PF). It's essential to understand how your PF will continue to earn interest and the possibility of transferring it to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Let’s address these questions in a detailed and simple manner.

Interest Accrual on PF After Leaving Job
When you leave a job, your PF account doesn't stop earning interest right away. Here’s what you need to know:

Interest Accrual Period: Your PF account will continue to earn interest for up to 36 months after you leave the job. This is the period during which your account is considered "operative."

Inoperative Account: After 36 months, if there is no contribution or withdrawal, the account becomes inoperative. However, it will still earn interest until you turn 58. This ensures that your savings continue to grow.

Rate of Interest: The interest rate applied will be as per the existing rates declared by the government or the PF trust. These rates may vary yearly, but your account will be credited with interest until it becomes inoperative.

Withdrawal of Interest: You can withdraw the accumulated interest along with your principal amount whenever you decide to settle the PF account. Delaying the withdrawal might be beneficial as your corpus continues to grow.

Tax Implications: Be mindful of tax implications if you withdraw your PF amount before completing 5 years of continuous service. The withdrawn amount may be taxable, including the interest accrued.

Transferring PF from Company Trust to EPFO
Transferring your PF from a company’s private trust to EPFO can be a crucial decision. Here’s what you need to consider:

Possibility of Transfer: Yes, you can transfer your PF from the company trust to EPFO. This is a common practice when moving from a private trust to a new employer registered with EPFO.

Process of Transfer: The process involves filling out the Form 13, which is available online on the EPFO portal or through your new employer. This form needs to be submitted to your new employer, who will facilitate the transfer.

Time Frame: The transfer process can take a few weeks to complete. Ensure that all your details are accurate and that you provide the necessary documents to avoid delays.

Advantages of Transfer: Transferring your PF to EPFO offers several advantages:

Uniform Interest Rate: EPFO offers a standard interest rate that is declared annually by the government. This provides transparency and predictability.

Centralized Management: Your PF will be managed centrally by EPFO, ensuring that your account is updated and secure.

Ease of Access: EPFO provides online access to your PF account, allowing you to monitor your balance, make withdrawals, and apply for loans against your PF easily.

Potential Drawbacks: While transferring to EPFO, you may face some administrative delays or discrepancies in the balance transferred. It's advisable to keep track of your account and follow up if necessary.

Managing Your PF Post-Transfer
Once your PF is transferred to EPFO, you must manage it effectively. Here are some tips:

Nomination Update: Ensure that your nomination details are updated with EPFO. This is crucial for the safety of your funds.

Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on your PF account through the EPFO portal. Regularly check your balance and ensure that interest is being credited correctly.

Partial Withdrawals: EPFO allows partial withdrawals for specific purposes like marriage, education, or medical emergencies. Familiarize yourself with the conditions and processes to avail these benefits if needed.

Contribution Resumption: If you join a new employer who is also covered under EPFO, your contributions will resume automatically. This will continue to grow your PF corpus.

Portability: Your EPFO account is portable across different jobs. This means that once your PF is with EPFO, future transfers will be seamless, and your savings will be consolidated in one account.

Exploring Alternative Investment Options
Since you've left your job, you may consider reinvesting your PF amount or using it wisely. Here are some options:

Mutual Funds: Actively managed mutual funds can offer higher returns compared to traditional savings schemes. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can help you choose the right funds based on your risk appetite.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): If you prefer a safer investment option, PPF is a good choice. It offers tax benefits and a reasonable interest rate, making it suitable for long-term savings.

Fixed Deposits (FDs): While not the highest-return option, FDs offer security and assured returns. You can allocate a portion of your PF withdrawal into FDs to maintain liquidity and safety.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs): Regularly investing in SIPs helps in disciplined savings. It also allows you to benefit from market fluctuations over time.

Emergency Fund: Consider setting aside a portion of your PF as an emergency fund. This will ensure that you have liquidity in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Ensuring Financial Security After Job Transition
Transitioning from a job, especially after leaving a stable MNC position, requires careful planning. Here’s how you can secure your financial future:

Budgeting: Create a monthly budget to manage your expenses. This will help you maintain financial discipline and ensure that you don’t dip into your savings unnecessarily.

Insurance Coverage: Review your existing insurance policies. Ensure that you have adequate health and life insurance coverage, especially after leaving your employer-provided benefits.

Retirement Planning: If you haven’t already, now is the time to plan for your retirement. Consider your long-term goals and start investing accordingly.

Consulting a Certified Financial Planner: Seeking professional advice can help you make informed decisions. A CFP can guide you through the complexities of managing your PF and investing it wisely.

Evaluating the Impact of Not Having a Job
Not having a job affects your financial situation. Here’s how to navigate this period:

Income Diversification: Consider alternative sources of income. This could be freelancing, consulting, or even starting a small business. Diversifying your income sources will reduce financial strain.

Skill Enhancement: Use this period to enhance your skills. This can increase your employability and open up new opportunities.

Debt Management: If you have any outstanding loans or debts, prioritize paying them off. This will reduce your financial burden and free up funds for other investments.

Networking: Stay connected with your professional network. This can lead to new job opportunities or collaborations that can benefit your career and financial status.

Finally
Handling your PF after leaving a job is an important decision. Understanding the interest accrual and transfer process can ensure that your savings continue to grow. By making informed choices, you can secure your financial future and navigate through this transition smoothly.

Focus on your long-term goals, and consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to make the most of your PF and other investments. Remember, your financial well-being is in your hands, and with the right planning, you can achieve stability and growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
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Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

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Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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