Struggling to Transfer or Close My Old PF Account – Any Advice on What to Do?

Hi, I have changed three companies. The problem is that I have not closed the first company's PF account. I have transferred the second company's PF to the present company account. Since I have not transferred or closed the first company's PF for more than 4 years, I have a problem in transferring or closing it. My first concern HR has told me that closing the account is not possible. My current company HR has asked me to close it, and transferring is not possible. I am in a bit of a confused state. I request you to kindly help me with what I have to do to retrieve or close my old PF account.

Regards,
Carthik Babu M.S

Options for PF Transfer or Withdrawal

There is no restriction or time limit to transfer or withdraw a PF fund from your previous employer. You have the option to apply for withdrawal by filling up Form-19 & 10 C. You can send these forms, duly filled, along with a canceled cheque to your first employer for authorization. If, for any reason, they refuse to do so, you can get these forms attested by any of the following: your bank manager, Panchayat member, any gazetted officer, councilor, etc.

You can apply for a transfer by filling out Form-13 through your current company (3rd employer), who will forward it to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner for further action.

No need to be confused; it's your money and will certainly be returned to you. It cannot be held by invoking any statutory provision.

Regards

If you leave your PF neither transferred nor withdrawn for more than 3 years, the interest would be paid for the first 3 years only. If you wish to withdraw after 3 years, you need to submit an affidavit with your signature along with Withdrawal Forms for not claiming the PF for these long years.

Similarly, you can also transfer your PF to your existing PF Account, and there is nothing to panic about in this regard. As said by our friend, it is your money, and you have all the right to claim it.

Understanding PF Withdrawal and Transfer

The reason your old HR says it is not possible to withdraw is that you cannot withdraw if you're working in a company that has PF. You are required by law to transfer that money to the new company where you are working. Fill in Form 13 and submit it with the signature of your current company. There is no need to get any signature from the old company. However, make sure that you have the correct PF number.

Regards

Options for Handling Your PF Account

You can either withdraw the PF by Form 19 & 10C or transfer it to your new account by Form 31. However, you will not earn interest for the non-operating period after 3 years.

Regards, Varghese Mathew

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You have not mentioned the number of years you have served in the first employment. If it is more than 10 years, then it is advisable to opt for a scheme certificate under the Employees' Pension Scheme. You can withdraw the amount in PF by filing Form 19, duly signed by your first company's HR; this is because the records will still be available with them.

In your case, you have also transferred the PF of the second company to your current employment. Perhaps this is the reason why your current HR is stating that yet another transfer is not possible. If the transfer process is going to be difficult, in my opinion, you can opt for a scheme certificate for your Pension account. You can withdraw the PF amount as mentioned earlier. By doing this, you also gain the service rendered by you in your first company under the Employees' Pension Scheme.

Regards,
M.V. Kannan

Transfer Your PF Account: A Better Option

Submit Form 13 to the first employer through the present employer. Transferring is always the best option rather than opting for a scheme certificate. You can choose to transfer at any time.