Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement saving scheme available to all salaried individuals. It is a savings platform that allow employees to save a portion of their salary each month and use it in case they are rendered unfit to work or at the time of retirement. Employees can also place a request for the final settlement of the EPFaccount after having left the job. An individual who wishes to do so i.e. withdraw funds for final settlement, is required to fill up and submit Form 19. Form 19 can be used for i) PF final settlement, ii) pension withdrawal benefits or iii) PF non-refundable advance. While the first two options can be selected during the time of termination of service by retirement or otherwise, the third option can be used during service, provided certain terms and conditions are fulfilled.
The contents of EPF Form 19 are as follows:
Put a ‘Tick’ against the one opted
(a) By Postal Money Order at my cost OR
(b) By Account Payee Cheque/ Electronic Mode of payment
(Please attach a copy of cancelled Cheque/Attested copy of first page of Pass Book)
Source: www.epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/Downloads_PDFs/Form19.pdf
After an individual has left his or her job, the member can either settle the PF account or request that it be transferred to a new EPF account in the new organization. If the individual would like to make a final settlement, he or she can complete and submit EPF Form 19. The online mode to fill the form is as follows:
Step 1 - Login to UAN account at the EPF Member Portal.
Step 2 - Select “Claim (Form – 31, 19 & 10C)” under the “Online Services” section.
Step 3 - Enter the last 4 digits of the bank account that has been linked and press on “Verify”.
Step 4 - Select “Yes” for signing the “Certificate of Undertaking”.
Step 5 - From the drop-down menu in the “I want to apply for” section, choose the option “Only PF Withdrawal (Form-19)”.
Step 6 - Mention complete address. Tick the disclaimer and press on “Get Aadhaar OTP” button.
Step 7 - An OTP shall be sent to the number that is registered with the UIDAI.
Step 8 - This OTP has to be entered in the space provided. Once this is done, submit the application.
A reference number will get generated after the application is successfully submitted. The withdrawal amount will be deposited in the bank account that is linked to UAN in a few days.
A composite claim form serves the function of three forms - Form 19, Form 10C and Form 31. This form can be submitted at the local EPFO office without the attestation of any authority. Submitting a composite claim form can help with withdrawing funds offline.
An individual can use Form 19 to withdraw PF amount. He or she can place a request either at the time of retirement or while leaving the present job. Now, for the purpose of withdrawing the PF amount, one will need to satisfy two conditions. They are:
