How to merge EPF Accounts online

September 28, 2023 Finance Talk Valli Sarvani No comments

When transitioning to a new job in pursuit of better pay and opportunities, merging your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) accounts becomes a crucial step.

As you change jobs, a new EPFO account is generated using your existing Universal Account Number (UAN).

However, the funds in your old account don’t automatically transfer to the new one.

To make this transition seamless, it’s essential to merge your old and new EPF accounts.

Before diving into the steps, here are some key considerations:

Ensure that your Know Your Customer (KYC) details, including bank account, PAN, and related information, are up to date.
Make sure your UAN is linked to your existing EPF account.
Wait for three days after UAN activation before initiating the merge.
It’s worth noting that merging is not an immediate requirement; you can choose to do it at a later time.
In India, merging EPF accounts is a straightforward process, devoid of complexities.
You need to provide essential information such as the employer’s name, account number, and net income.
Additionally, you must furnish details about the accounts you wish to merge into your existing one.
Following this, you’ll need to fill out an account merge form and submit it to the authorities. Let’s explore the steps in detail.

Step-by-Step Guide to Merge EPF Accounts Online:

Visit the official EPFO website, sign in, and access online services.
Select the One Member – One EPF Account link, which will direct you to another window.
Enter the required information, including your phone number, UAN number, etc. After that, click on Generate OTP.
An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP for verification.
A new window will appear, where you’ll input information about your previous EPF accounts that you wish to merge.
Before hitting Submit, ensure you mark the declaration box.

If you happen to possess two UANs, you can request the EPFO to deactivate the previous one.

Send an email to the given email ID, specifying your current and previous UAN.

Following verification, the previous UAN will be blocked, while the current one remains active.

Subsequently, you can submit a claim to facilitate the transfer of funds to your active UAN.

By following these streamlined steps and considering the necessary prerequisites, you can efficiently merge your EPF accounts, ensuring your financial continuity during career transitions.

Image by Aniket Sadekar from Pixahive (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)