Confused About Multiple UANs? Here's How to Resolve Your Dormant UAN Issue

Hi, I have been working since 2010 and I have a UAN number. I used it until 2016. In September 2016, when I joined another company, they, unfortunately, allotted another UAN number which I used until 2020. When I joined my current company in 2020, instead of using the latest UAN since I was unaware of the rule, I gave them the first UAN, and they are using the first UAN. Recently, I came to know that the latest UAN should be used; however, I'm using the first UAN in my current company and the second UAN is dormant. Please suggest what I should do.

Your HR will have to get the UAN transferred. Speak to them, and they will help you out.

Thank you for your suggestion. Are you suggesting that the HR of my current company will start using the second UAN and discontinue using the first UAN currently in use? Should I initiate a transfer from the second UAN to the first UAN? Will that process work?

Can they continue using the first UAN in the meantime if I transfer the EPF account from the second UAN to the first UAN? Please note, I have already discussed this with HR, and they mentioned that my active EPF account is already linked to a UAN. If they need to change the UAN, they would have to mark me as exited, create a new account, and then link it back to the second UAN. They do not consider this a feasible solution according to them.

Please advise.

This is a procedural matter that has been discussed before on the forum, so you can search using the green magnifying glass in the top right corner of the site. Unfortunately, I am not an expert on procedures as I haven't had to use it myself, so I am not much help there.

Basically, there is a way to merge the UANs and continue from there. If your HR does not know how to do it, then take some time out and visit the PF office. Speak to the PRO (helpdesk) or try to speak to the Assistant Commissioner, and they will tell you what to do.

Hi, I have got this article from The Economic Times. Just go through this; it may help you.

How to Merge 2 UAN Accounts:

You need to notify your current employer or write to the EPF to get the previous UAN blocked and the existing balance transferred to the active UAN. The employee must file a claim to have the EPF account connected to the blocked UAN transferred to the active account. To resolve the issue, the EPFO will conduct a verification. Send an email to [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons] with your present and previous UAN in the subject line. This process can be time-consuming.

The old UAN is deactivated by transferring the funds to the new one. After the transfer request, EPFO verifies the transfer claim. Both the UANs are linked, and EPFO will deactivate the old UAN once the transfer process is done. The process of UAN merging will be completed automatically. Once EPFO verifies your new UAN, it will be linked with your PF account.

The second method for deactivating one of the UANs is automatic, and it will take less time than the above-mentioned method.

Step 1: Visit the EPFO portal
Step 2: Enter using your documents
Step 3: On the menu bar, click on 'Claim'
Step 4: Click on "Request for Transfer of account" to file an online Transfer Claim
Step 5: Enter Captcha and click on "GET PIN"
Step 6: After entering the PIN obtained on the registered smartphone, the online claim application can be submitted.

It is worth noting that when a request for EPF transfer is made, the EPFO device automatically detects the duplicate UAN. The old UAN from which the funds are being transferred will be deactivated once the identification process is completed. The old EPF account will be linked to the new UAN once the UAN is automatically deactivated. You will receive an SMS informing you of the old UAN's deactivation status. In case you have not yet activated the new UAN, you will be sent an email with instructions on how to do so.