Navigating PF Transfers: What Happens When Your Current Account Becomes Inactive?

Hi All,

I was working with Employer A from August 2006 to September 2011. I joined Employer B in October 2011 and got a new PF number. Now I have resigned from Employer B (after 1 year in October 2012) and am serving my notice period. Earlier, I wanted to make a PF transfer from Employer A to B, so I got Form 13 attested and signed by Employer B. This I can submit to EPFO to initiate the process. I will be joining a new company in 2 months from now.

My Questions

1. Shall I initiate the transfer of PF from A to B?
2. Will it create any problem as the current active PF account (from B) would become inactive after 2 months (after my last day with the company, if I know it correctly)?
3. If I have initiated the transfer before my account becomes inactive and then I resign from my current employer while the process is initiated, will it continue?
4. When does the account become inactive?
5. How long would it take, if at all it's okay to do so, considering the fact that both my PF accounts are with the same EPFO?

Please correct me if I am assuming anything wrongly here. I would really appreciate any help in this regard.

Thanks in advance,

Chetan

You can only transfer one account at a time. You need to fill out Form 13 for that. In case of any concerns, you can contact the PF office. It's always better to get the account transferred as this increases the benefits you receive from PF. Transfer the one with a higher amount first. Then, after a gap of 6-12 months, fill out another Form 13 for the second account, or you can simply claim the return for that amount.

After resigning or leaving the organization, an employee can withdraw his/her money/deducted amount (after 2 months of your last working day with the employer) at any time or transfer it to the new employer. Otherwise, the EPF account will be closed automatically for an employee. This means no further amounts shall be submitted by the employer into the employee's EPF account from the very first day after resignation/leaving the organization.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Nisha

Thank you for the quick reply, Nisha. My only concern here is that I am currently in the notice period and will leave this company in 2 months. However, I have all my forms ready to initiate the PF transfer from my old account to this account. I want to ensure that this current account (which will soon be inactive) does not create any issues for this PF transfer.

1. Should I transfer my old PF to this (soon to be inactive) account, or should I wait until I get a new PF from my new employer (Employer C) and then transfer the previous 2 PFs (A and B) to it?

2. Also, if an account has become inactive, will the PF transfer not happen, even though it was initiated when the account was active?

Thanks,

Chetan

Process of PF Transfer

The process of transfer is a long-drawn one. Therefore, you should not venture into this right now. Please get your account in B transferred to C first, as soon as you join the new company C. Thereafter, transfer A to C. Even if the account is inoperative, you do not lose your money. Inoperative only means that interest is not credited to that account.

Thanks for the reply, bpugazhendhi. That was very helpful input for me. I would prefer waiting for a new PF number then, as per your suggestion.

Transfer of Old PF Account

Just for info - Can we transfer the old PF to an account which is active right now but would become inoperative after some time? Will EPFO transfer the PF amount to an account which is inactive?

This might be a silly question, but do you have any idea how long it takes for a transfer if both accounts are at the same EPFO?

Thanks,

Chetan

Hi Chetan, the time for getting the transfer done can vary, so it would be better if you hold onto this one and get the transfers done once you join the new company. Hope this answers your query.

Regards,
Nisha

You can submit two separate forms (Form 13) – one to A and the other to B through C – after the allotment of a new PF account number by C.

Mr. Chethan, you can submit two separate forms (Form 13): one to A and the other to B through C after the allotment of a new PF account in the new company. To be on the safer side, enclose 3A of both A and B companies along with Form 13.

Regards,
Satish

Sir,

I worked in Company A from 15 July 2011 to 15 Sep 2014 and in Company B from 17 Sep 2014 to 30 Apr 2015. Currently, I am not working anywhere. So, I want to withdraw my PF amount. However, when I checked the UAN Portal, I still have two PF accounts with certain amounts in them. What should I do? How can I get my PF from both accounts? I am feeling helpless. Please suggest to me.

Thank you.

@Harish,

First, apply for online transfer of PF money. Once you have confirmed that the PF money has been transferred to one account (by using the passbook facility), then apply for withdrawal.

Cheers...