📖 7 min read
EPFO / PF: Your Parent's Provident Fund, Explained
The EPFO portal is one of the most confusing government websites in India. Millions of retired parents have PF money sitting in an account that their children in Australia, the UK, or Canada have no idea how to access. This guide cuts through it.
What do you need to do?
From the registered mobile number, send: EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899. Replace UAN with the actual 12-digit number. Get balance by return SMS.
Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from the registered mobile. Balance sent by SMS automatically.
Go to passbook.epfindia.gov.in → login with UAN + password → download passbook PDF. Shows every contribution since the account was opened.
Download the Umang app → search EPFO → View Passbook. Uses Aadhaar-linked mobile OTP.
The UAN is printed on most payslips from formal jobs. Look at the last employer's payslips first.
Go to unifiedmember.epfindia.gov.in → "Know your UAN" → enter name, date of birth, Aadhaar or PAN, and mobile number. UAN sent to the registered mobile.
Any employer who contributed to PF must have the UAN on record. HR departments are legally required to share it.
Call 1800-118-005 (toll-free) with name, date of birth, and Aadhaar. They can help locate the UAN.
EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme) is separate from EPF. If your parent worked for 10+ years in a formal job, they're entitled to a monthly pension for life. It doesn't start automatically — you have to apply.
Must have contributed to EPS for 10+ years and be aged 58+ (or 50+ for reduced pension). Check via EPFO portal passbook.
Login to unifiedmember.epfindia.gov.in → Online Services → Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D) → select Form 10D. Need: UAN, Aadhaar-linked bank account, cancelled cheque.
It is NOT backdated. Apply as soon as eligible — every month of delay is a month of pension lost permanently.
Like a govt pension, EPS pension requires an annual life certificate (Jeevan Pramaan) every November. See the Jeevan Pramaan guide.
The EPF (provident fund) balance can be withdrawn after retirement or 2 months of unemployment. The EPS (pension) component usually cannot be withdrawn as lump sum if service >10 years.
UAN must be activated at unifiedmember.epfindia.gov.in with Aadhaar and mobile OTP before any claim.
Both must be linked and verified. Go to Manage → KYC on the portal. Employer must approve the Aadhaar link.
Online Services → Claim → Form 19 (for EPF withdrawal). Money credited to the linked bank account within 20 working days.
PF withdrawal before 5 years of continuous service attracts income tax. After 5 years it's tax-free. Check with a CA if unsure.
Go to epfigms.gov.in → register a grievance → track it. Most responsive channel. Response within 30 days legally required.
pgportal.gov.in — the Prime Minister's centralised grievance portal. Escalates to EPFO within 30 days. Use if EPFiGMS doesn't work.
Call 1800-118-005 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm). Have UAN and Aadhaar ready.
If still stuck, the regional EPFO office covering the employer's location handles the account. Find it at epfindia.gov.in → Contact Us → Regional Offices.
- EPFO unified portal: unifiedmember.epfindia.gov.in
- Balance SMS: EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899 — confirmed active
- Missed call balance: 011-22901406 — confirmed active
- Helpline: 1800-118-005 (toll-free) — confirmed active
- Grievance portal: epfigms.gov.in
The EPS pension not being backdated is the most expensive mistake families make. If your parent qualified for pension at 58 and nobody applied until they were 65, those 7 years of pension are gone. Check eligibility now, not later. Use the MyDailyCost NRI Hub for the financial planning side of this.
The PF/pension death-claim forms (Form 20, 10D, 5IF) and everything else that needs doing, gently laid out in order.
General guidance only. EPFO processes change — always verify at epfindia.gov.in before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my parent's EPFO PF balance in India?
There are three ways: (1) SMS: send EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899 from the registered mobile number. (2) Missed call: give a missed call to 011-22901406 from the registered mobile. (3) Online: log in at unifiedmember.epfindia.gov.in with the UAN and password. The UAN (Universal Account Number) is a 12-digit number issued by EPFO — it should be on any old payslip or can be found via the employer.
How does an NRI help a parent claim EPS pension from EPFO?
Your parent must complete Form 10D to start receiving EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme) pension monthly. This requires: UAN, Aadhaar, bank account details (cancelled cheque), and proof of age. The form is submitted online at the EPFO unified portal or through the last employer. The pension starts from the month of application — it is not backdated, so apply as soon as your parent reaches 58 or retires.
What is the UAN and where do I find it?
The UAN (Universal Account Number) is a 12-digit number assigned to every EPFO member. It stays the same across all employers. Find it on: old payslips (usually printed on the slip), the EPFO member portal by entering name and date of birth, or by contacting the last employer's HR department.
Can a parent withdraw their full PF after retirement?
Yes. After reaching 58 years of age, or after 2 months of unemployment, the full EPF balance (employee + employer contribution + interest) can be withdrawn. The EPS (pension) portion cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum if the member has 10+ years of service — it must be taken as monthly pension (Form 10D) or a reduced pension from age 50. Withdrawal is done online via Form 19 on the EPFO unified portal.