UAN stands for Universal Account Number, a 12-digit identification number assigned to an employee. Issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this number is provided to each EPFO (Employment Provident Fund Organisation) member to make it easier for them to access and manage their PF (Provident Fund) accounts.
 

UAN is a unique number through which you and your employee can contribute to the EPF (Employee Provident Fund). It gives access to the Unified Member Portal (also known as the UAN e-Sewa portal) and helps you manage your PF account. You can also utilise your UAN to collect all EPF-related information without visiting a bank.
 

When you start a new job, your employer will collect your old PF account information, verify it and then send it to the EPFO to generate your new UAN. Once the UAN is generated, it is assigned to you. 
 

Every time you change your job, you will get a new UAN, which can be linked to the previous UAN. Your UAN can also be used to withdraw EPF funds, obtain EPF contribution data, transfer funds from one account to another and request a loan against your EPF account.
 

Here is everything you should know about UAN.
 

How to Register a UAN on the UAN Member Portal?
 

As per the law, all companies and organisations with more than 20 employees have to register for an EPF UAN online. The registration process requires a unique ID and password. Companies need to generate a new UAN for first-time employees giving them access to the EPF e-Sewa portal. 

If you are starting your own business, here are the steps you can follow to get a UAN for your employee on the UAN Member Portal:
 

• Visit the EPF Employer Portal.
• To log in, use your company ID and password.
• Select "Register individual" from the member section.
• Fill in all the employee information, including Aadhaar card, PAN card and bank account information.
• After filling in all the details, a new UAN will be generated.
• Using other EPFO online services, this UAN can now be linked to the new employee PF account.
   

The EPFO is in charge of creating and allocating UAN numbers to employees. The Labour and Employment Ministry verifies the UAN numbers as well. 
 

Documentation Required for UAN
 

The following are some of the documents to be submitted to operate a UAN account:
 

• Documents proving your identity
• A copy of your Aadhaar card and PAN card
• Proof of address
• Account number at any bank
• IFSC code of a bank
• Name of the bank branch
  
  

UAN Login Process for an Employee
 

If you are an employee, you have to active the UAN. Go to the EPFO Member Portal and click on ‘Activate UAN’. Enter the required information, including your name, date of birth, UAN, member ID, mobile number, Aadhaar number, etc. Click on 'Get Authorisation PIN', and you will receive the PIN on your registered number. Use the PIN to create a username and password, and follow these steps for UAN login Employees:
 

1. Go to the EPFO official website<Service<For Employees.
2. Go to Member UAN/Online Services.
3. Type in your UAN number and password. To log in to the portal, verify the captcha code and click 'Sign in.'
    

UAN Login Process for an Employer
 

The UAN login for the employer is the same as for an employee, but employers need to go to 'Establishment Sign In' instead of 'For Employees' on the EPFO Member Portal. 
 

Advantages of UAN to Employees
 

An employee is perhaps the largest winner from the implementation of UAN. The following are some of the benefits of UAN for employees. 
 

• A single UAN will serve as the umbrella for multiple PF accounts.
• An employee can check their PF balance in just a few clicks and withdraw PF funds in part or in full with the help of UAN.
• UAN is secure and linked to your Aadhaar card, allowing you to check your PF balance and statement or download the requisite information immediately via the web or SMS.
• Employees can transfer PF funds from one account to another using a UAN account as it is authenticated by their KYC.
• If a former employer has already validated UAN KYC and Aadhaar, a new employer does not need to do so.
• Employees can keep track of their PF accounts to check employer PF monthly contributions.
   

Benefits of UAN for employers
 

Employees are not the only ones that benefit from UAN services. Here are a few examples of UAN uses:
 

• The UAN aids in the centralisation of employee personnel data across the country.
• One of the most important uses of this unique number is that it relieves the EPF organisation of the burden of employee verification from enterprises and employers.
• EPFO can extract the member bank account details and KYC without the involvement of the employers.
• EPFO can use it to keep track of employment history.
• It helps to check the credits and debits in the PF account, further helping employees transfer and withdraw funds easily.
• The early and premature withdrawal of PF has decreased since the implementation of the UAN.
  
  

Why is UAN Needed?
 

Before UAN, multiple IDs were assigned to the employees by their employers, making it confusing for employees to track their PF balance or claim it in many cases. Previously, many people would not claim their PF because of the lack of a centralised PF platform and complicated withdrawal processes.
 

Moreover, limited information discouraged people from claiming their PF balance. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the UAN mandatory on October 1, 2014. This helped create one canopy, allowing employees to access all of their PF accounts effortlessly and conveniently.
 

The introduction of the UAN facilitated better supervision of the credits and debits in the PF account, enabling easy withdrawal and transfer of funds. The UAN has minimised the employer involvement of the employer, unlike the traditional PF transfer process, which was both time-consuming and full of errors.
 

Conclusion 
 

UAN numbers are an effective way to secure your money throughout your career. It has made transferring and withdrawing PF easier for both the business and the employees. All PF accounts of a person are integrated into a single framework for simple access. Also, digitisation of the process helps supervise the money using the UAN portal.
 

PF contributions are secure and serve as a financial reserve during uncertain times. As an employee, it is advisable to contribute to your PF and work for an organisation that offers regular monthly PF contributions for its employees.
 

You can also consider saving in an online life insurance plan to safeguard the financial future of your loved ones. Our TATA AIA life insurance policy has customisable, comprehensive solutions for every policyholder's benefit to ensure maximum protection and enhanced financial assistance. Moreover, a family life insurance plan is also a suitable option if you wish to safeguard your family.
 

L&C/Advt/2022/Oct/2623