Navigating Pension Claims: Can I Access My Pension from Two Different Companies?

Hi all, This is Sanjay. Let me provide some background first. In Pune, I worked for a company from 1984 to 2004. Due to labor problems, the company could not continue operating and was taken over by another company based in Jamshedpur. I was able to continue my employment without a break in service and received the same emoluments as in my previous company until August 2014.

Subsequently, another company from Jamshedpur acquired one division of this company, and I was transferred to the new entity. Before this transfer, I was asked to resign for the FnF settlement, which I complied with. However, the company closed down without settling the dues, and the owners left the country. I recently retired last month.

In the second company, I had a UAN number. Before transferring to the third company, a new UAN was created for me. In the meantime, I made a withdrawal by submitting Form F-10D and applied using Form-13 to transfer the remaining PF balance to the new company. Unfortunately, both RPFOs did not provide any reasons for not processing the transfer, and the matter was closed from their end. I escalated this issue to the Grievance Cell, who advised me to contact both RPFOs to resolve it, but I have not received proper responses as they keep redirecting me to each other.

Main Question Regarding Pension

Now, my main question is regarding my pension as I have reached the age of 58. Can I claim the entire PF amount from the third company where I retired even though I did not complete a 10-year period there? Additionally, can I separately claim the pension from the second company where I worked for over 30 years? Alternatively, is it possible to obtain a scheme certificate and claim it at the second company? I seek guidance on these matters to ensure a smooth pension process.

Thank you.

You can apply to obtain a scheme certificate for the previous services rendered and submit the same to EPFO along with Form 10-D and a non-employment certificate. This will ensure that you do not lose the services already rendered.

Thank you, sir. However, I have a small doubt. I live in Pune, and my current job was in Jamshedpur. Can I obtain the scheme certificate from the current PF Office in Jamshedpur and submit it along with the claim to the previous PF office in Pune?

Understanding Your Pension and Provident Fund Situation

What I understood from your post is that you applied for the withdrawal of your pension by filing Form 10D and applied for the transfer of your provident fund accumulation by filing Form 13. You are in continuation of service, so your application for withdrawal is unwarranted.

You were liable to transfer your previous accounts to your current employer. There is no separate form for transferring a pension account. When you file Form 13, that takes care of both accounts. Your pension withdrawal form has been accepted by the department, and according to the same, it is settled. I will not say it is a mistake by the department. It is you who is mistaken. That, too, is a serious mistake. It is not even the mistake of your current employer. The current employer's mistake is creating a new UAN.

Creating a new UAN number by mistake by your employer and not merging the same in due time is also another mistake of yours. There are mistakes after mistakes on your part and somewhere on the part of your current employer too. You have to approach the RPFC personally immediately, though you have taken this issue with the grievance cell and tell all these things. Probably the grievance cell and other persons have understood the issue correctly.

You may have to refund the pension amount received by you and face legal prosecution against you. I came across a case wherein the member withdrew both accounts hiding the new employment without a break. When the department came to know, the member was compelled to pay back the entire amount with interest in addition to facing legal proceedings.

Take care.

You have not provided the status of your PF and PS accounts, whether they have been settled or transferred. In the case of PS, could you please specify which company it pertains to and during which period it was settled?

Transfer of PF and Service Period to Company C

PF has already been transferred from Company A to Company B. I want to transfer the balance PF and service period to Company C because my part of PF has been withdrawn. The balance family pension fund along with the entire service of A+B has to be transferred, for which I had applied but it was not accepted by the PF office of Company C. They said this is pending with the PF office of Company B. Upon enquiry, the PF office of B said they have not received any letter or communication from the PF office of C. Please elaborate.

Digital Approval and UAN Merging Process

Company B needs to digitally approve the transfer claim applied by a member. If Company C creates a new UAN, the old and new UAN must be merged. With the new UAN of Company A, Company B will not be able to see the claim transfer. So, first, ensure to have a single old UAN. Also, apply for a scheme certificate as applicable. Ensure that only one UAN is active. If the company is closed, initiate the offline process of merging UAN and claim transfer. Use a joint declaration for UAN merging.

Transfer Issues Between Companies

The transfer from Company A to Company B is already completed. It has also appeared in the passbook of Company B. Form No. 13 for online transfer has been applied and accepted by Company C. This has also appeared in the display of the form on the screen. However, the PF office of Company C is not accepting the transfer. The reason for this is unknown.

Please guide me, do I have to file UAN-based Form 10C before filling Form 10D online? Also, can I submit Form 10D before a Form 19C withdrawal claim? Awaiting valuable suggestions.

Regards,
Kuldip