Navigating EPF Contributions in a Startup: How to Manage Your Account Without Employer Support?

I have recently joined a startup that employs fewer than 10 people and hence is not registered with EPFO. Before this, I have been working with big companies that deduct EPF.

Questions About EPFO Account Management

I have 2 questions:

1. How do I pay to invest in my EPFO account? I have an EPFO UAN.
2. I have an inactive EPF account with an old employer (inoperative for 10 years, managed by the company's trust). Since my current employer is not registered with EPFO, can I transfer the old inoperative account to my UAN-linked account?

Thank you for your guidance.

If the company is not registered with AEPF, then you can't contribute. It will be inoperative mode only, or you can withdraw.

I think the ability to transfer all old balances from various accounts to your UAN is only for live accounts. If the account is dormant and there is no employer to file the Form 13, then you cannot transfer the balances to that account. Unfortunately, you should have done that when you were still working in the previous company.