How to Withdraw PF Amount: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a trusted, government-backed savings scheme that helps salaried individuals build a secure retirement corpus. In 2023–24 alone, over 1.09 crore new subscribers joined the EPF, highlighting its growing popularity.

Employees and employers each contribute 12% of the basic salary every month, and the fund earns an annual interest of 8.25%. While the EPF is intended for retirement, partial withdrawals are permitted for specific needs, such as medical emergencies, education, or purchasing a home.

This blog explains when and how to withdraw PF Amount early, clearly and simply.

Quick Overview

• EPF is a retirement savings scheme with 12% contributions from both the employee and employer.
• Partial withdrawals are allowed for medical needs, home, education, or marriage.
• Online withdrawal is available via the UAN portal or the UMANG app with KYC and an active UAN.
• Form 19 is used for full withdrawal; Form 31 for partial/advance withdrawal.

How to Withdraw PF Amount Online?

To carry out the PF withdrawal online process, keep in mind that there are two ways to achieve this task. Here is a breakdown of the same:

1. Submission of a Virtual Application Form
2. PF Withdrawal Through App  

Method 1: Submission of an Online Application

If you are interested in prematurely redeeming your investments via the EPF portal, you must meet the following conditions for PF money withdrawal online: 

• Your Universal Account Number (UAN) must be activated, and the registered mobile number should be active and accessible.
• Your UAN must be linked with your Know Your Customer (KYC) details, including Aadhaar, PAN, and the IFSC code of your bank account.

If the above conditions are met, execute the steps mentioned here to learn how to withdraw PF amount:

Step 1: Visit the UAN Member e-Sewa Portal. Log in using your UAN, password, and captcha code, then click ‘Sign In’.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Manage’ tab and click on ‘KYC’. Ensure your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are verified. This is mandatory before proceeding.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Online Services’ tab and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’ from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: The next screen will display your personal and service details. Enter your bank account number and click ‘Verify’. Confirm the declaration by clicking ‘Yes’ to sign the undertaking.

Step 5: Click on ‘Proceed for Online Claim’. Under the ‘I Want To Apply For’ section, choose the appropriate option:

• Full EPF Withdrawal
• Partial Withdrawal / Loan (Form 31)
• Pension Withdrawal

Step 6: If selecting ‘PF Advance (Form 31)’, specify the purpose of withdrawal, the amount required and your current address. 

Step 7: Accept the declaration, upload any required documents (if prompted), and submit your application.

Method 2: PF Withdrawal Through App

To make PF account management totally hassle-free via smartphones, complete the withdrawal via the Unified Mobile or UMANG app. Here are the steps to understand how to claim EPF amount via the UMANG app:

• Step 1: Log in to the UMANG app using the valid password and UAN. 
• Step 2: Search ‘EPFO’.
• Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Employee Centric’ tab. 
• Step 4: Select the ‘Raise Claim’ option.
• Step 5: Enter your UAN. 
• Step 6: Verify the OTP sent to the registered phone number.
• Step 7: Specify the withdrawal category and submit your application.
• Step 8: You will get an acknowledgement number against your request.
• Step 9: You may track your application using the acknowledgement number. Usually, the amount gets credited within 15-20 days. 

EPF withdrawals via UMANG are not the only advantage. Additionally, you can access many other helpful services through this app. Specifically, you can request surplus funds to aid particular needs which are acknowledged by the EPFO. 

How to Execute PF Withdrawal Without UAN?

Suppose someone has lost their UAN and cannot contact their previous employer, but they urgently need to access their EPF funds due to an emergency. In such cases, the concerned person can follow these steps to learn how to claim PF amount offline:

• Step 1: First, the person must download and fill out the PF withdrawal form. Either one can opt for a Non-Aadhaar Composite Claim Form or an Aadhaar-linked Composite Claim Form. 
• Step 2: Before submitting, the applicant must ensure that all the information is updated and accurate. 
• Step 3: Once the withdrawal form is duly filled, it needs to be submitted to the Regional Provident Fund Office. It is easy to locate the jurisdiction of one's PF office by searching using one's alphanumeric EPF account number. Salary slips usually have this number. 
• Step 4: A bank manager, gazetted officer or magistrate is required to attest your identity for a successful withdrawal. This is a crucial attestation that verifies your identity.
• Step 5: After submitting the application, you have to wait until the amount gets credited fully or partially to your registered bank account. 

Documents Required for PF Withdrawal

To take out accumulated funds from your PF account, you must produce the following documents:

• Your bank account details.
• Universal Account Number (UAN)
• Address proof documents, like telephone or gas bills
• Identity proof documents like the Aadhaar card
• Cancelled cheque of the beneficiary’s bank account along with his/her account number

EPF Withdrawal Limits Based on Purpose

The amount you can withdraw from your EPF depends on the specific reason for the claim. Here is a breakdown of the withdrawal limits based on different circumstances:

Taxation on EPF Withdrawal

EPF withdrawals can attract tax, especially if made before 5 years of service. Here is a table to help you understand when TDS applies and when the amount is tax-free:

EPF Withdrawal Forms

Whether you are looking to fully settle your EPF account or make a partial withdrawal, you need to meet certain criteria. The table given below mentions some valid conditions for withdrawals and also specifies the appropriate forms for such facilities. 

Form 10D: Individuals who are above 58 years of age and have sought retirement from their most recent employer can withdraw 90% of the accrued amount as a monthly pension. The withdrawal in this case will be allowed if the member has already completed 10 years of service in an organisation. 

Form 14: Employees who want to allocate their EPF corpus to an LIC policy

Form 13: Employees who are about to join a new company and need to transfer their EPF amount to a fresh membership ID under the same UAN

Form 20: If there is an unfortunate event and the EPF account holder dies, then their legal heir(s) can claim the accumulated amount.

Form 51F: Immediate family members of the deceased beneficiary can also claim the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance amount through an individual’s EPF account

Final Word

While EPF is a great tool for long-term retirement planning, it may not always suit short- or mid-term financial needs. For more flexibility without compromising on safety, Fixed Deposits (FDs) are a smart alternative.

With Stable Money, India’s trusted RBI-backed digital platform, you can invest in FDs from top banks and NBFCs offering returns of up to 8.80% p.a. Enjoy flexible tenures, regular interest payout options, and easy premature withdrawals.

Now that you understand how to withdraw PF amount, explore smarter ways to grow your money. Start your FD journey with Stable Money today!