PF Transfer Form - Form 13

EPF account transfer is important when you change jobs. Form 13 is required to transfer an old PF account to a new employer.

The provident fund is a retirement scheme under the Employment Provident Fund Organization of India (EPFO) governance. Government and non-government employees can save a portion of their monthly income through this scheme. Usually, 12% of the salary and other allowances are deducted before depositing the salary.

However, the problem arises when you decide to change jobs. You must transfer your PF account from your previous employer to the new one. Ignoring this will make the unclaimed amount become highly taxable on withdrawal.

This blog will provide details of Form 13 in EPFO, a prerequisite for PF transfer, and discuss how to fill and submit it.

Provident Fund Form 13 is a prescribed form that is used to transfer the amount in the EPF from the previous employer to the new employer. Form 13 for PF transfer is a claim form, which is used to aggregate all the savings in the provident fund under a single Universal Account Number (UAN). Employees can opt to transfer their accumulated PF and eligible pension benefits from their existing PF account to the new employer's PF account by filing a PF transfer form called the 13. This enhances continuity of service records and provides for long term retirement planning.

The EPF account that is done in the previous employment may have money and interest in it if a person changes their job. Ideally, it is best to move such funds to the new employer's EPF account instead of withdrawing them to stop the retirement savings from being interrupted. 

Provident Fund Form 13 is useful in this situation. It is imperative that the employees have an active UAN, updated KYC details and can access the EPFO member portal. The online Form 13 PF transfer process enables the member to submit the transfer request online, streamlining the transfer process and minimising paperwork.

Using Form 13 offers several benefits:

• Helps maintain a continuous EPF service history

• Maintains eligibility for some EPF and EPS benefits

• Leaves retirement savings invested and continues to earn interest

• Reduces the need for premature PF withdrawals

• Promotes financial and retirement planning. 

Readers may also explore related topics such as PF balance transfer, UAN activation, EPF withdrawal rules, and Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) benefits to better understand the transfer process.

Form 13 is typically used whenever an employee changes jobs and wishes to transfer the PF balance from the previous employer to the current employer's EPF account. The transfer ensures that all accumulated savings remain consolidated under one UAN.

Common situations where PF Transfer Form 13 may be required include:

Joining a new employer: Employees who move to a new organisation can use Form 13 to transfer their existing EPF balance instead of starting a separate retirement corpus.

Consolidating multiple PF accounts: Individuals who have worked for multiple employers may have several PF accounts linked to the same UAN. Form 13 helps combine these balances into a single active account.

Continuing pension benefits: The transfer process also helps preserve eligible service records under the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS), which can be important for future pension eligibility.

Using the online transfer facility: Members with Aadhaar-linked UANs and verified KYC details can submit an online Form 13 PF transfer request through the EPFO portal, making the process faster and more efficient.

For a smoother experience, employees should ensure that personal details, bank information, and employer records are updated before initiating the transfer request.

Transferring your PF balance instead of withdrawing it can provide several long-term advantages. Since EPF is designed as a retirement savings instrument, maintaining continuity helps maximise the benefits available under the scheme.

Continued growth of retirement savings

A PF transfer allows the accumulated balance to remain invested, enabling contributions and interest earnings to continue over time.

Preservation of service history

Continuous service records can be important for determining eligibility for various EPF and EPS benefits in the future.

Avoiding premature withdrawal

Withdrawing PF funds before retirement may affect long-term financial security. A transfer helps retain the retirement corpus for future needs.

Simplified account management

Consolidating PF balances under one UAN makes it easier to track contributions, check balances, and manage retirement savings.

Potential tax advantages

Maintaining continuity in EPF membership may help avoid certain tax implications that can arise from premature withdrawals, subject to applicable tax rules.

According to the EPFO, employees must have one PF account and one Universal Account Number (UAN). Registered members can transfer or merge two PF accounts in case of multiple holdings for maximum benefits from the savings scheme.

Important details for EPF account transfer

Claim an EPF account transfer if you are switching jobs. This claim helps avoid the creation of another PF account by the new employer. By doing so, you can withdraw your funds without complication.

Merging multiple PF accounts works best when you have yet to transfer your PF accounts during a job change. This ensures you have a single PF account, making fund withdrawal easy.
 

A transfer or merge is possible only if you have a UAN number for your PF deduction. Your employer will generate the UAN number under EPF guidelines once you join their organisation. Further, you can use the number in the EPFO portal for the following purposes:

• To confirm your eligibility for online EPF account transfer

• To check your EPF balance

• To download your EPF account passbook

• To withdraw or transfer funds

Besides the UAN number, you must have a member login ID for the EPFO portal and a PF account number.

On downloading Form 13, you must duly fill it up without errors. The particulars mentioned include your personal information and PF account details. You will also need to obtain information from your new employer.

Personal details to be added in EPFO form 13

• Your full name, as mentioned in the EPFO portal

• Your father’s name, as indicated in your proof of identity

• Date of birth

• Active mobile number for verification and notification of transfer

• Email address

• Bank account number used for your salary credit

• IFSC code of the bank branch

• Your valid signature 

Previous account details for EPFO form 13

• The PF account number generated by your old employer

• UAN

• Name and address of your previous employer

• Joining and leaving date of your last employment

• Name and address of the regional PF office where the account is held 

PF form 13 details related to the new account

• EPFO code and new PF account number, if allocated

• Name and address of the company where you currently work

• Date of joining the new job

• Attestation from current company (usually a digital signature if the company is registered under EPFO)

• Name and address of the regional PF office or the trust where the account will be transferred.

Online forms can be uploaded to the EPFO website for transfer. However, a copy must be submitted to your new employer if they are exempted from establishment. If the employer is a non-exempted establishment, submit it to the regional PF office associated with them.

1. Visit the EPF Member Home.

2. Login using your UAN and account password.

3. Click on the KYC (Know Your Customer) option on your dashboard. A list of KYC documents with upload facilities will appear. The KYC documents include:

• Bank account details

• PAN card

• Aadhar card

• Passport

• Driving license

• Election card

• Ration card

You have to enter your name and document number for all KYC details. In addition, you must upload scanned copies of your KYC documents. Then, save and inform your employer for approval.

On successful approval, PF authorities verify your KYC online. KYC approval typically takes 5-7 working days.

• Visit the EPF Member Home.

• After logging in with the required details, click on the ‘Online Services’ tab.

• Select ‘One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request)’.

• A page showing your information will open. This page usually shows new employer details and current PF balance.

• Click on “Get Details” for your old PF account details. If you have multiple PF accounts, information about all previous companies will be given.

• Now, upload Form 13 and select the attestation from the previous or present employer.

• You will get an OTP on the registered mobile number. Enter it in the relevant field and hit submit.

A successful transfer will take 20-30 days, as your previous employer and PF authorities must revise. Additionally, you can track your transfer using the ID provided during submission.

Form 13 is significant when an employee wants to transfer their EPF balance from one employer to another without losing any continuity in their retirement savings. The form is meant to help consolidate provident fund accounts and maintain provident fund benefits that are eligible. The form can be submitted physically or via the online Form 13 PF transfer process. Instead of withdrawing the accumulated funds in the provident fund during job change, using the Provident Fund Form 13 can help optimise retirement planning. By knowing what is Form 13 for PF transfer and when to use it, employees can make informed decisions regarding EPF management during their tenure.