Confused About PF Withdrawal Eligibility? Need Help Understanding Service Years and Trust Contributions

Dear PF Experts,

While I tried to withdraw my PF accumulation recently, I received a response from the PF office stating that the date of my joining the establishment was only 01.10.2010, and therefore, I am not eligible to withdraw due to not having completed 5 years of service. However, I have not withdrawn my PF since October 2008 and have been continuously contributing without any breaks. I worked in three companies during this period.

Company No. 1 managed the employee PF through the Employee Provident Fund Trust. Company No. 2 managed it directly through the EPFO, and my current company, Company No. 3, is also managing it through the EPFO.

Clarification Needed on PF Withdrawal Eligibility

I kindly request clarification on the following queries:

1) What is the definition of the number of years of service (PF membership)?

2) If my PF was managed by the PF trust, would the services be not considered for the purpose of meeting eligibility to withdraw? I received a response from the PF office stating that I have been a member since 01.10.2010 when my PF contributions were paid directly to the EPFO and not to the trust.

Thanks,

Manoj

The response from the PF office stating that the date of joining the establishment is only 01.10.2010, and hence I am not eligible with 5 years of service to withdraw, is not understood by me. Please clarify this.

Secondly, could you inform me whether you have transferred your EPF/EPS accumulation from your previous company to the new one or not? This information is necessary before any conclusions can be drawn.

Thanks & Regards,

Sumit Kumar Saxena

Dear Sumit Kumar Saxena,

Thanks for your response. I will try to elaborate further to make things clear here.

Clarification on PF Office Response

1) "Response from PF office that the date of joining the establishment is only 01.10.2010 and hence I am not eligible with 5 years of service to withdraw" is not understood by me. First, clear it.

Manoj: As per the PF rules, for non-refundable withdrawal for housing - purchase of flat/house, 5 years of membership is a prerequisite. When I inquired about the documentation requirements as I want to withdraw, the PF office responded that my joining date of establishment is only 01.10.2010 as per their record. In this case, I am not eligible for withdrawal, according to the PF office's conclusion.

However, I would like to understand if I have been paying my PF (either to the PF trust run by my employer or EPFO directly) without withdrawing since 27 Oct 2008, will I not become eligible with more than 5 years of membership?

Transfer of EPF/EPS Accumulations

2) Secondly, can you tell me whether you have transferred your EPF/EPS accumulations from your previous company to the new one or not? Only then can a conclusion be drawn.

Manoj: I have answered it in the first response itself; however, I will reiterate that I have been paying PF since 27 Oct 2008 without any withdrawal, and I have transferred my EPF and EPS accumulations to my new company. I have Annexure K for the respective transfers as proof. The current balance of EPF when I compute is working out to be the accumulations since Oct 2008 (Source - EPF Passbook).

Please help clarify this and provide any suggestions to move forward with the PF office.

Regards,
Manoj

If your e-passbook computes the EPF balance from 2008, you will be eligible to withdraw in advance. The period of the latest service should be clubbed with the old service. You simply need to fill out Form-31 and enclose the letter detailing the whole situation of your service period.

Thanks & Regards,
Sumit Kumar Saxena