How to Withdraw PF Online After Leaving Job

After resign PF withdrawal is allowed under certain conditions defined under the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952. Worth noting, employees can withdraw the full PF balance after retirement at the age of 58 years, along with the eligible EPS amount. Full withdrawal is also permitted if a person remains unemployed for at least two continuous months after leaving a job. 

Partial withdrawals are also allowed for specific situations such as medical treatment, higher education, home purchase, or marriage expenses, subject to eligibility rules. One important point many employees overlook is that after completing 10 years of service, the EPS amount generally cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum because pension benefits become applicable instead. Before initiating any claim, it is always advisable to merge older PF accounts to avoid delays and ensure smoother claim processing.

The eligibility criteria for PF withdrawal online are outlined below:

• The employee must serve a one-month notice period or provide an equivalent payment to the employer.

• The employee must update personal information on the EPFO portal.

• The employee is required to have continuous employment at the current job for a minimum of two months.

Here is the procedure for PF withdrawal after resignation

Activate and verify your UAN

Before starting the PF withdrawal process after resignation, make sure your Universal Account Number (UAN) is active. In practice, many PF claims get delayed because Aadhaar, PAN, or bank account details are either not linked correctly or remain unverified on the EPFO portal.

Log in to the EPFO member portal

Once your KYC details are updated, log in to the EPFO member portal using your UAN and password. This is the main platform through which online PF withdrawal requests are submitted and tracked.

Check eligibility for withdrawal

Worth noting, full PF withdrawal is generally allowed only after two continuous months of unemployment following resignation. If you have joined a new employer, many times transferring the PF balance instead of withdrawing it may be a more suitable option for long-term retirement savings.

Submit the online claim form

Under the “Online Services” section, select the “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)” option. The portal will display your member details, linked bank account, and eligibility status before you proceed with the application.

Complete OTP verification

After selecting the appropriate claim option, you need to authenticate the request through OTP verification linked to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number. Basically, this step acts as the final confirmation for the withdrawal request.

Track claim status and receive funds

Once submitted, the claim moves to EPFO processing. In practice, the PF amount is usually credited directly to the registered bank account within a few working days, although timelines can vary depending on verification and employer approvals.

In 2025, EPFO will be introducing EPFO 3.0, a major update that allows you to withdraw your PF directly from ATMs using UPI or your Aadhaar.

The changes facilitate the following:

• Immediate access to your funds in emergencies.

• No need for employer approval or paperwork.

• Greater control over your savings, anytime and anywhere.

• With over 7 crore members set to benefit, this update gives you easy access to your PF.

After gaining insight into ATM based PF withdrawal, let us understand how to withdraw PF online after leaving job.  

You can withdraw your EPF both online and offline. Here are key steps on how to withdraw full pf amount after leaving job:

Step 1: Visit the official EPFO portal and log in by entering your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.

Step 2: Navigate to the 'Online Services' section and select the 'Claim' option from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Upon redirection, input your bank account number and click 'Verify.'

Step 4: Confirm by clicking 'Yes' and choose 'Proceed with Online Claim.'

Step 5: Under the 'I want to Apply for' category, pick the type of withdrawal claim you wish to apply for.

Step 6: Opt for the 'PF Advance' form, provide the reason for your EPF withdrawal, and submit your application. You may be required to submit supporting documents for verification. 

Step 7: Following approval, the PF amount will be deposited into your bank account.

Offline process

If you prefer the traditional method, here's how it works:

• Composite claim form (Aadhaar):
  Use this form if your Aadhaar and bank account are linked to your UAN. No employer signature is needed. Directly, submit it to the nearest EPFO office.

• Composite claim form (non-Aadhaar):
  Use this form if your Aadhaar is not linked. You will need employer attestation before submission.

With an active UAN and KYC completed, withdrawing your PF is simple and can be done in just a few steps.

Follow these steps on the EPFO member e-SEWA portal: 

1. Log in to the EPFO Member Portal using your UAN and password.

2. Go to ‘Online Services’ and click on ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’.

3. Verify the bank details linked to your UAN.

4. Tick the declaration box and click ‘Proceed for Online Claim’.

5. From the dropdown menu, select the type of claim—Full PF settlement, PF advance, or Pension Withdrawal.

6. Enter the reason, amount, and your current address.

7. Submit the form and authenticate it with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Once submitted, you can track the status of your claim anytime by visiting ‘Track Claim Status’ on the portal.

The EPFO has introduced changes this year to make withdrawing your PF easier and faster. Here’s what’s new:
 

1. Higher withdrawal limit
   You can now withdraw up to 75% of your PF balance during emergencies such as medical needs, job loss, or natural disasters, providing more support when needed.

2. Faster claim processing
   The claim settlement time has been reduced to just 3 working days, allowing quicker access to your funds.

3. ATM-style withdrawal pilot
   In selected cities, you can withdraw your PF using kiosk machines, similar to an ATM, with Aadhaar and OTP. No forms or queues are required.

4. Automatic approval for small claims
   Claims under Rs. 50,000 will be automatically approved if your KYC is complete, with no need for employer approval.

5. Digilocker integration
   Your PF balance, claim status, and history will now be available in your DigiLocker account, allowing you to track everything in one place without needing to log into multiple portals.

When a person opts to withdraw their PF after resigning, they must understand the associated tax* implications and withdrawal conditions. One common question employees usually ask is “after resignation how many days we can withdraw PF”. In practice, EPF withdrawal is generally allowed after two months of unemployment, subject to EPFO rules and eligibility conditions. Understanding after resignation how many days we can withdraw PF also helps employees plan their finances more effectively during a job transition.

Let's explore the tax regulations for PF withdrawals based on the duration of an employee's service:

1. Tax Rules for Service Less Than 5 Years: If an employee has worked for less than five years, the PF withdrawal will not be subject to tax deductions.

2. Tax Rules for Service More Than 5 Years: For employees with more than five years of service, the PF withdrawal becomes liable to tax deductions. If the employee has not completed five years of service, a Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) of 10% will apply. 

However, if the employee has worked for more than five years and provided their PAN details during withdrawal, the TDS rate remains at 10%. In cases where the PAN details are not provided, the TDS rate rises to 34.608%. 

You must note that the TDS deducted is not the final tax* liability for the employee, which depends on their income tax slab for the financial year.

You can easily update your exit date in the UAN portal by following these simple steps.

• Log in to the UAN portal: Use your Unified Account Number (UAN) and password to access your account.

• Go to the ‘manage’ tab: From the dropdown menu, select the ‘Mark Exit’ option.

• Select your employer: Choose the correct employer from the list.

• Enter required details: Fill in your date of birth, date of joining, and exit date. Ensure the exit date matches the one in your resignation or relieving letter.

You can easily check the status of your PF withdrawal online through the EPFO portal. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Navigate to the EPFO official website. Select 'Services' and then choose 'For Employees.'

Step 2: Opt for 'Know Your Claim Status.'

Step 3: Click on the provided link, which will direct you to the member passbook application.

Step 4: Access your account by entering your Universal Account Number (UAN), password, and captcha verification.

Step 5: You will now see the 'View Claim Status' option. Click on it to check your claim status.

Below are the commonly used forms for EPF withdrawal:

• EPF form 31
  This form is used for advance withdrawals or for specific purposes. It is also known as the Advance Form.

• EPF form 19
  This form is used to claim your final settlement or pension benefits. You can submit this form even if you don’t have a UAN by just using your PF account number.

• Form 10C
  Use this form to withdraw your pension amount if you have left your job after completing at least 6 months of service but less than 10 years.

The following documents may be  necessary to initiate a PF withdrawal:

• Universal Account Number (UAN)

• Proof of identity and address

• Bank account details

• A cancelled cheque with the IFSC code and account number

The following are the common mistakes that one needs to avoid during the EPF withdrawal process.

Not updating KYC details

One of the most common issues during EPF withdrawal is incomplete or incorrect KYC information. In practice, mismatches in Aadhaar, PAN, bank account details, or even spelling differences in names can delay claim approval significantly.

Applying before meeting eligibility conditions

Many times, employees apply for full PF withdrawal immediately after resignation without checking the eligibility rules. Worth noting, full withdrawal is generally allowed only after remaining unemployed for two continuous months unless specific exceptions apply.

Forgetting to merge old PF accounts

If you have worked with multiple employers, there may be several PF accounts linked to your UAN. Basically, failing to merge older accounts before submitting a withdrawal request can create verification issues and incomplete settlement of funds.

Entering incorrect bank account information

Even a small error in account number or IFSC code can lead to payment failure. In practice, it is always advisable to cross-check bank details carefully before submitting the online claim form.

Withdrawing PF without evaluating long-term impact

Many employees treat PF as an emergency savings pool and withdraw it immediately after changing jobs. However, frequent withdrawals can affect long-term retirement savings and the compounding benefit built over years of contributions.

Many people think EPF can only be withdrawn after retirement, but there are other situations where withdrawal is allowed.

You can withdraw your EPF in the following cases:

• After 2 months of unemployment: Full withdrawal is permitted.

• At retirement: You can withdraw the full EPF balance.

• When changing jobs: Wait until your UAN is linked to your new employer; no withdrawal is needed.

• For personal reasons: Partial withdrawals are allowed for purposes like marriage, education, home loan repayment, or medical treatment.