Struggling to Get My PF Released After 16 Years: How Can I Secure It with Interest?

I worked for a Mumbai-based company for 16 years. UAN was not available at that time. I resigned and sent a request for the release of PF and gratuity.

After 15 years post-resignation, the gratuity was released, but PF papers are still not signed by the former employers. I had written to the PF office in Bandra to do the needful, but nothing happened.

After the lockdown, I hired an agent who simply came back and said that PF forms are not being signed by the former employers. Recently, I engaged with an advocate who assured me that the job would be done within 20 days based on the discretionary power of the PF office. Almost 2 months have passed, but still, nothing has happened.

Is there any way that I can get my PF with interest? What is the right method, and what will be the timeframe required?

Hi, Fifteen years is a pretty long period. It seems you haven't followed up with your ex-employer and the PF office and left it casually.

Please contact your ex-employer's HR department, or you may lodge a complaint through online/PF Adalat.

Normally, unclaimed PF funds beyond a certain period will be considered inoperative, and EPFO sends the unclaimed PF money to the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. To claim it, you should have a proper justification/explanation as to why you didn't claim it for so many years.