Unclaimed PF Contributions for 7 Years: Can You Still Claim and Earn Interest?

If a resigned employee has not claimed PF contributions for 7 years, can he claim the contributions now? If yes, for how many years will he get interest on that unclaimed contribution?

Regards,
Phanindra

In my opinion, he shall get the interest up to 3 years after the year in which the last contribution was made in his account. In case the rules of the Trust under which your PF account is maintained provide otherwise, you will have to follow the rule as per the trust deed.

Thanks & Regards,
Avika

You can claim the rest of the interest up to 36 months from the last contribution paid into your EPF Account. No other months will be taken into account for settlement.

Regards,
Balamurugan
Assistant Manager - HR

Interest on Inoperative Accounts

Effective from 1/04/2011, interest on inoperative accounts shall not be credited to the account from the first day of the 37th month of the account becoming inoperative. Suppose, for example, a contribution has been made to an account only up to 1/1/2010, then interest will be credited only up to 31/12/2012. No interest will be credited from 1/1/2013 onwards.

Formalities for Claiming the Amount

• The claim form is to be attested by the authorized signatory of the establishment where the employee worked.

• If the employer is unable to identify the member, the claim has to be attested by the bank authorities. In addition, for identity proof and proof of residence, one of the following documents should also be attached:
- PAN card
- Voter's ID card
- Passport
- Ration card
- ESI identity card
- Copy of electricity/water/landline telephone bill in the name of the claimant with the present address
- Driving license
- Any other ID card issued by the government authority

A multi-level verification/counter-checking will be carried out by the EPF authorities. Then the claim will be settled. This procedure is laid down by EPFO vide their letter dated 11th March 2011.

Yes, it can be claimed, but interest will be given up to 1-4-11 as well, as explained by Mr. B. PUGAZHENDHI. EPFO had advertised this matter very well during the relevant period.

Regards,
AK Chandok
RPFC (Retd.)
www.akchandok.com