Your Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit permanent account number assigned by EPFO to every employee covered under EPF. Once activated, UAN lets you access your complete PF account history, check balance, download passbook, transfer PF from previous employers, and file claims online — without going to the EPFO office.
How to Activate Your UAN
Step 1: Get your UAN from your employer
Step 2: Activate on EPFO portal
- ▸Employer creates UAN on the EPFO employer portal
- ▸You get UAN on your pay slip or via SMS when employer activates you
- ▸Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
- ▸Click "Important Links" → "Activate UAN"
- ▸Enter UAN, member ID (PF account number), Aadhaar or PAN, date of birth, mobile number
- ▸Verify with OTP sent to registered mobile
- ▸Set your password
- ▸UAN activated!
How to Link Aadhaar with UAN (Mandatory)
Aadhaar linking is mandatory for EPFO claims:
After approval, your KYC status shows "Verified" — mandatory for online claims.
- ▸Login to EPFO Member Portal
- ▸Go to "Manage" → "KYC"
- ▸Select "Aadhaar" → Enter Aadhaar number and name exactly as on Aadhaar
- ▸Click "Save" → Aadhaar linked
- ▸Employer approves the KYC (or auto-approved via UIDAI)
How to Check PF Balance
Method 1 — EPFO Portal:
Login → "View" → "Passbook" → Download passbook with all transactions
Method 2 — SMS:
Send "EPFOHO UAN ENG" to 7738299899 from registered mobile. Receive PF balance via SMS.
Method 3 — UMANG App:
Download UMANG app → EPFO → Employee-centric services → View Passbook
Method 4 — Missed Call:
Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number. Receive balance SMS.
How to Transfer PF from Previous Employer
When changing jobs, your old PF account should be transferred to your new employer's EPF account:
- ▸Login to EPFO Member Portal
- ▸Go to "Online Services" → "One Member One EPF Account (Transfer Request)"
- ▸Verify details of previous employer and member ID
- ▸Submit online claim
- ▸Employer (current) approves the transfer request
- ▸Transfer completed in 15–20 working days
Online PF Withdrawal (Full Settlement)
For full PF withdrawal (resignation or retirement — if unemployed for 2+ months):
- ▸Ensure UAN is activated + KYC verified (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account linked)
- ▸Login → "Online Services" → "Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)"
- ▸Enter bank account number (for verification)
- ▸Select "Full Settlement" (Form-19 for EPF + Form-10C for EPS)
- ▸Enter reason for claim
- ▸Submit → OTP verification
- ▸Claim settled within 5–20 working days
Tax on PF Withdrawal
- ▸PF withdrawn after 5 continuous years of service: Fully tax-exempt
- ▸PF withdrawn before 5 years: Taxable. TDS at 10% deducted if PAN provided, 30% if no PAN
- ▸EPS (pension contribution) withdrawal is also taxable if less than 5 years of service
Conclusion
UAN activation gives employees complete control over their EPF account without depending on employers or visiting EPFO offices. Biswa Corporate Solutions helps businesses with EPFO registration, monthly ECR filing, employee UAN generation, and PF compliance management.
