Can I Withdraw My Provident Fund While Employed Elsewhere? Seeking Advice on Legalities and Options

I served a company for the last 6 years (2007-2013), resigned, and joined a new one. I have PF accounts under both establishments. I have a personal situation for which I want to withdraw the existing PF in my previous company. However, reading the instructions from the EPFO website for filling forms 10c and 19, it is mentioned that if someone is already employed, then he/she should not withdraw the PF but rather transfer it. I am claiming my PF after 7 months. I observed that in form 19, there is a section that talks about a non-employment declaration.

My Questions

1. Even if I state a request for withdrawal while working in another company, will it be rejected? Is it legally wrong if I withdraw my PF while being in another establishment?

2. If it is rejected, can I again request a fresh transfer via my present organization?

3. What is a scheme certificate in form 10c? Should I opt for it in form 10C?

There is a lot of information on PF withdrawal in this forum, but it doesn't relate to my query. Apologies if I am reposting.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated!

Thanks,

Bhaskar

You can withdraw the PF amount or continue it in the current organization.

For Withdrawal:

1. Form 19 & 10 (C) are required.
2. One cancelled cheque of your active account.
3. 2 Revenue stamps (1 Rupee).

With all these documents, visit your last organization. After getting them signed by the authorized signatory, you can submit these forms to any PF office. The amount will be refunded to your account after 45 working days.

Thanks.

As per the rules of PF, any employee should not withdraw the PF accumulations until and unless they have been unemployed for a period of not less than 2 months after leaving the organization. However, PF authorities do not check this while assessing the withdrawal claims. Therefore, if you submit the PF withdrawal forms, they won't be rejected on this basis.

Another option is to transfer the accumulations from the last company to the present company by applying for a transfer via the present company or the previous company.

A scheme certificate is something any employee can apply for instead of withdrawing their pension amount. By doing this, their previous service years are added to their present service years. Upon reaching 50 years or above, they can submit the scheme certificate to the PF authorities, and either they or their family can receive pension benefits until death.

Thank you.