Struggling to Access My PF and Pension Funds After 20 Years of Service – Need Guidance from Seniors

Dear Seniors, I have put in more than two decades in an organization and quit about 4 years back.

PF Account and Pension Fund Queries

1) I had not been receiving PF statements regularly. I have now been asking for the PF account number. The response is that the employee number is the account number. I have tried to log in to the epfo.nic site to verify the status, but it does not work. I do not know the exact quantum.

2) Another response from them is that I cannot withdraw my Pension fund under EPF 95. I can only get early pension at 50 or at superannuation at age 58. I am currently 48. Can I not withdraw the pension fund, which is substantial? I have been unemployed for 4 years and have to pay for my children's education.

I seek seniors' guidance.

Warm Regards

Pension Withdrawal and Transfer Guidance

As you have not completed 50 years of age, you are neither entitled to a pension nor can you withdraw the pension amount. You might have received the Scheme Certificate; however, if you are working in another covered establishment, you must transfer the past service benefits to the new establishment to maintain continuity of your entire service.

There should be an account number on any of your payslips. If not received, please ask your HR in charge to provide your exact member account number.

You can contact the RPPC/PRO of your nearest PF office for assistance or obtain details by phone from them.

Regards,
Chandok AK
RPFC (Retd.)

I appreciate your valuable and quick response. I had mentioned the same at CEPFO and DARPG. Both reverted with a response, requesting the PF account number. I wonder why organizations want the withdrawal form filled out without employees verifying the status.

Regarding EPF - 95

Can that amount never be withdrawn at all? There was a withdrawal option available earlier. Am I only entitled to a pension, or are there any conditions under which the withdrawal facility is available?

Thanking you once again. I look forward to hearing from you on the above.

Warm Regards.

Since you have put in more than 10 years of service and have been contributing to PF for over 10 years, you cannot withdraw the amount. You are eligible only for a pension at the age of 58 years. However, you can opt for a reduced pension upon reaching the age of 50 years. For every year short of 58 years, 4% of the pension amount will be deducted from the eligible pension.

It is surprising to note that you have been contributing to PF for more than a decade and still do not know the PF account number. You must have received the annual statement at least once. Look for it. If you don't find it, you can personally visit either your company or the PF office where the account is maintained, explain your situation, and obtain your number. You have not mentioned whether you have received the PF amount.

Since you mentioned that you have not been employed for the last 4 years, the PF amount will not accrue interest from 1.4.2011. If you have not withdrawn the PF amount and are currently unemployed, you can apply for withdrawal through your ex-employer.

Regards,
Pradheep

Thank you all for responding. I have understood the Pension fund part. Now, I respond to the query.

1) I have contacted the RPFO. Their response is that this is an exempted establishment. Please contact the trustees. Exempted establishments are not submitting details of the contribution on a monthly/yearly basis to the RPFO.

2) No, I have not withdrawn the PF amount for personal reasons. I intend to do so now. The organization has not been sending the annual statement for the last many years. I had raised the issue, but always received silence in response.

Seeking Advice on Exempted Establishment

Seniors, kindly advise on #1 raised by me. Who is the controlling authority with respect to the details of the exempted establishment? Can RPFO absolve itself of the responsibility of monitoring the submissions?

Regards

Dear Dr. Sb, Kindly provide your valuable input on my response to your post.

Pension and Scheme Certificate

As you have not completed 50 years of age, you are neither entitled to a pension nor can you withdraw the pension amount. You might have received the Scheme Certificate. However, if you are working in another covered establishment, you must transfer the past service benefits to the new establishment to maintain continuity of your entire service.

Account Number and Assistance

There should be an account number on any of your pay slips. If not received, please ask your HR in charge to provide your exact member account number. You may contact the RPPC/PRO of your nearest PF office for any assistance or obtain details by contacting them over the phone.

Warm Regards, Chandok AK RPFC (Retd.) <link no longer exists - removed>

Warm Regards.