How to Merge PF Accounts Online

For those who have recently changed their jobs, the question of how to merge PF accounts online is a valid one. Anyone who switches jobs experiences their employer creating a new EPFO account, using their old UAN. In such scenarios, the funds accumulated in one's old account do not automatically get credited to the new account. However, it is possible to avail this facility by merging both accounts.

In this blog, you can learn about the steps on how to merge PF accounts and also we will discuss the procedure to be followed after merging provident fund accounts.

Requisites to Merge PF Accounts Online

Before merging your PF accounts you need to pay attention to several things. These include:

• To start with, you must complete the mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure. To achieve this, the account holder must confirm their bank account number, PAN and several related details.
• Next, you must have an active UAN linked with your existing Employee Provident Fund (EPF) account.
• If already not activated then you need to wait for 3 days for the UAN to get activated before you can actually merge two or more accounts.

Note that merging EPF accounts is not compulsory right away. You can execute this task at your convenience. 

Steps on How to Merge PF Accounts Online

As a member of the EPFO portal, you can follow either of the two ways to merge your existing PF accounts:

Method 1: Through the EPFO Website

Visit the official website of EPFO.

Open your account dashboard by entering the correct UAN and password. 

Navigate to the ‘Online Services’ tab.

Choose the option marked as ‘One Member - One EPF Account’.

Provide the necessary information as asked, such as your name, UAN and so on.

Select the ‘Generate OTP’ option.

Click on ‘Verify OTP’ after entering the code sent to your registered phone number.

Next, a pop-up window appears on your device screen. Carefully enter the details of your old EPF account here to complete a successful merge. 

Check the declaration box and click on ‘Submit’. 

In addition to the above-mentioned method, you may also request a PF merger via email. 

Method 2: Through Email

Individuals having two PF accounts can also request the EPFO to cease their older accounts by sending an email. For this, you must forward your application to uanepf@epfindia.gov.in stating the requisite details of your previous and fresh UANs. 

Following this, EPFO will carry out the mandatory verification tasks before deactivating your previous UAN. 

Additionally, you must upload a valid claim request to facilitate the transfer of funds and listed services to your new UAN.

Steps to Check PF Account Merge Status 

Anyone can check or track their EPF transfer or claim status by following the means listed below:

1. By Giving a Missed Call: It is possible for an employee to verify the status of their EPF transfer by giving a missed call to 011-22901406. However, for this purpose, one must always call from the registered phone number. Additionally, this mobile number needs to be linked with the concerned person’s UAN. 

An employee must previously update their Permanent Account Number (PAN), bank account information and Aadhaar on the UAN website to access this facility. 

Note: Calling the EPF authorities won’t attract any charges. After a missed call, you can receive the claim/transfer-related information via SMS on your registered phone number. 

2. Via SMS: Employees can even verify the status of a PF transfer through SMS. For this, you are required to provide your mobile number on the UAN website. This will enable you to receive SMS notifications about your transfer status when you send a message from that number to 7738299899.

While sending the SMS you must follow this format - ‘EPFOHO UAN LAN’. In this format, ‘LAN’ is the language in which you would prefer to see the update. For instance, if you choose English then the ‘LAN' will be ‘ENG’. For Hindi, it will be ‘HIN’ and so on.  

Benefits of Merging EPF Accounts in India

When you merge more than PF accounts together you can realise multiple benefits. These are:

Consolidation of Funds: All your PF corpus becomes consolidated into a single account. It largely helps a person to track and manage their retirement money. 

Interest Continuity: The PF balance that you accumulated earlier continues gaining interest without any hindrance when you link the old account with the new one. It allows the amount to grow consistently. 

Simplified Cash Withdrawals: Suppose you need to redeem your PF amount upon facing an emergency or to fund a home purchase or whatever may be. In these situations, having only one PF account streamlines the entire process. The beneficiary does not have to think about managing several bank accounts and do hefty paperwork. 

Minimised Administrative Hassle: Having a single EPFO account simplifies administration compared to dealing with several, minimising mistakes and keeping your overall banking and investment details accurate. 

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Final Thoughts

To simplify the process of merging PF accounts, the government introduced the Universal Account Number, a 12-digit unique identifier assigned to EPF members. The UAN links all PF accounts under a single ID, making it easier to track contributions and withdrawals. If you have multiple accounts, understanding how to merge PF accounts online ensures the management of retirement funds.