Navigating Pension Certificates: How Can I Merge My Current and Previous Ones Before Retirement?

I have over 24 years of experience. I started working for private companies from 1991 to 2000 for short periods. Subsequently, I gained employment at an MNC in Chennai where I worked for around 11 years (from 2000 to 2011). After a two-year break, I withdrew the PF amount and obtained a Pension Certificate.

I then seized an opportunity to work at an MNC in Bangalore from Feb 2013 to Jan 2019 (approximately 5.8 years) but had to resign due to health reasons. I withdrew both PF accounts and am currently attempting to apply for another Pension Certificate. Notably, the pension scheme is mandatory for individuals with over 5 years of service.

The UAN for EPF was not introduced earlier but came into effect in 2015 or later, facilitating online PF withdrawals for employees.

If I acquire another Pension Certificate, what is the process to merge it with the previous one? I am aware that I can access my pension benefits only after turning 58. Currently, I am 54 years old and self-employed.

Obtaining and Merging Scheme Certificates for Pension

You can get a separate scheme certificate for each block of services in different companies. The scheme certificate obtained for your first block of service should have been surrendered to your second employer and so forth. Since you have not done so, keep all scheme certificates received and receivable from EPFO and surrender them to EPFO along with your application for a monthly pension and a few other documents after attaining 58 years of age. You are also at liberty to submit your documents now, but you will receive a reduced amount of pension.