Struggling with Unpaid PF Interest? Seeking Advice on Claiming Dues Before Retirement

PF Account Transfer and Interest Issue

Employer had PF accounts for all local employees at local PF Offices. The same employer transferred PF accounts of all employees pan India to the employer's Corp Office and to the Mumbai PF office. Local PF office contribution was from 2005 to August 2012. The contribution continued at the Mumbai PF office from September 2012 and is ongoing. There has been no discontinuation of service.

Form 13 was filled, signed, and forwarded to the employer three times by me—once around 2013-14 through courier (I have retained a copy of Form 13, but no courier receipt with me). Again in 2016, a fresh Form 13 was sent to the employer. The employer claims these were submitted to the Mumbai PF office, but they are unable to retrieve proof of submission to the Mumbai PF office. Another Form 13 was submitted in 2017, and the PF office seal was obtained. In November 2017, the local PF office transferred accruals to the Mumbai office, but interest for the period 2015 to October 2017 was not paid. The local PFO claims the account became inoperative after 36 months; hence, interest cannot be paid.

Can you please help me in suggesting how to claim the unpaid interest portion? I am retiring at 60 in January 2018.

**Location**: Tiruchengode, India

To claim the unpaid interest portion for your PF inoperative account, follow these steps:

Contact Mumbai PF Office:
- Reach out to the Mumbai PF office where your account is currently active to inquire about the status of your account and the unpaid interest for the period in question.

Submit Written Request:
- Draft a formal written request addressed to the Mumbai PF office detailing the specific period for which interest has not been paid and requesting a review of your account.

Provide Documentation:
- Include copies of all Form 13 submissions you have made in the past, along with any acknowledgment receipts or correspondence related to these submissions.

Seek Resolution:
- Request a meeting or telephonic discussion with a PF office representative to discuss the matter in detail and seek a resolution regarding the unpaid interest.

Follow Up:
- Regularly follow up with the Mumbai PF office to track the progress of your request and ensure that the issue is being addressed promptly.

Legal Recourse:
- If the PF office does not respond satisfactorily or if you believe your rights are not being upheld, consider seeking legal advice to explore further options for claiming the unpaid interest.

By taking these steps and maintaining clear communication with the Mumbai PF office, you can increase the chances of successfully claiming the unpaid interest portion before your retirement in January 2018.