Navigating Multiple PF Accounts: Can You Close One After 5 Years and How?

Hi,

Is it okay to have more than one PF account? If not, can we close the account after 5 years? Also, what is the procedure for closing it? The company with which I was working has merged with another company, and on calling them, they told me that they don't have the records. What should I do in this case?

Thanks

I think it is better to transfer your old PF account to the new current PF account. You can do this simply by filling up Form No. 13, which is meant for transferring your old PF account into the new PF account. You have to fill a separate Form No. 13 for transferring the PF from a separate company. That form has to be attested by the present employer only, and you should have the old PF account number.

Form No. 13 is easily available from the PF department. However, I am attaching a copy of the same.

Hi,

Thank you, Rajeev, for the quick response. The scenario is that I have four PF accounts: one with the present employer and three with previous companies. I contacted the previous companies, and two of them provided guidance on what to do. However, one of the companies I worked for has merged with another company. Upon contacting them, they mentioned that they don't have my records. I worked with that company for one year and resigned in 2005. What should I do in this case?

Thanks

You have to take the PF account numbers of the previous three companies and fill out three different Form No. 13 through your present employer.

Hi,

As per my knowledge, both companies have to submit the amalgamation (it's a document given by the court when both companies are merged) to the P.F. Office and transfer the amount from the old PF account to the new PF account. The old company has to provide a closing letter of the account with the amalgamation.

Yours sincerely,
Vishnu

Hi Vishnu,

What Mr. Rajeev Verma said is correct. You need to submit the three forms (Form 13) - the first account to the present account, the second account to the present account, and the third account to the present account. You have to submit these forms in the PF office with the signature of your present employer. Finally, you will have all the amounts from your old accounts transferred to your present account.

Goodbye.

Yours sincerely,
Vishnu