Confused About EPF Withdrawal After Job Change? Need Help Understanding New Rules

EPF Withdrawal Query After Job Change

I have been working with my previous company for 9.9 years. I resigned in May 2014 and served a notice period of 3 months (90 days). I was relieved on 28th August 2014 with all the proper documents. Before leaving the company, I filled out all the forms - 19 and 10c, which are related to EPF and Pension complete withdrawal. At the same time, I also received my UAN.

Upon joining my current company, I filled out the forms to open a new EPF account, which has been active for the past 2 months.

Now, after almost 1.5 months, my finance department tells me that due to the introduction of UAN, the rules have changed, and I may not be able to withdraw the amount. To do so, I should not have any other EPF account, which means (according to me) that I should be unemployed for 2 months. I have read the instructions on the EPF website, and they mention something similar, but I am having difficulty understanding their terminology.

It would be great if someone could guide me in this scenario. Will I be able to withdraw the complete EPF amount accumulated from my previous employer? If yes, how can I convince my finance department regarding the same?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Regards,
Chintan

Please don't worry. You will get your entire PF and Pension amount from your previous employment.

PF Withdrawal Process

As per practice, in the case of PF withdrawal, there is a 2-month waiting period. This indicates that the employee with the specific PF Account No. has resigned and that no PF amount has been deducted and deposited in his PF Account from which he will be withdrawing his PF.

Normally, it is only after the completion of 2 months from the date of leaving that the PF Withdrawal Forms 19 & 10 C are submitted to EPFO by the previous employer, processed by the PF Office, and the amount transferred to your S.B. Account.

This means the forms can be submitted only after October 28 (after 2 months completion w.e.f 28.08.2014) to the PF Office. The PF office will process the forms within the next 2-3 months and pay your PF. Hence, they say PF withdrawal is a much-delayed process compared to PF transfer.

It does not mean that practically you have to be unemployed.

Dealing with Previous Employer

Also, you need to deal with your previous employer for the status and queries regarding your PF withdrawal. Now you can also get feedback from the PF site. Avoid discussing this with the Finance Dept. of your current company because I doubt the extent to which they will be able to guide you in this matter.

Filing an RTI

In matters related to withdrawal/transfers of PF, members have a 'weapon', i.e., filing an RTI with the PF Commissioner if payments are delayed or if there is no response from them.

Regards,
Sumeet