Many young professionals begin their careers excitedly but often ignore some essential paperwork. One such crucial matter is the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). As soon as you start your first job, you should handle EPF-related tasks without any delay. This ensures smooth salary deductions and future withdrawals.
Here is a complete and straightforward guide to help you understand what to do with your EPF account after joining your first job.
Check If Your Company Offers EPF
When you start working, check with your HR if your employer comes under EPFO rules.
- If your company follows the EPF Act and your salary is Rs. 15,000 or less, your employer must register you for EPF, Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI), and Pension Scheme.
- If your salary exceeds Rs. 15,000, you can still join EPF voluntarily with your employer’s consent.
Fill out Form 11 Carefully
Your HR will ask you to fill out Form 11. This form helps generate your Universal Account Number (UAN).
- Check every detail you enter in the form.
- Make sure your name, date of birth, Aadhaar, and other documents match.
- Spelling errors will delay your UAN activation.
Attach these documents with Form 11:
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy
- The mobile number linked with Aadhaar
Your employer will submit this form to EPFO for UAN generation.
Keep Your UAN and Member ID Safe
After UAN generation, your HR will share your UAN and EPF Member ID.
- Visit the EPFO website and activate your UAN using Aadhaar OTP.
- Once activated, you can log in to check your PF balance and KYC status and track contributions.
Make sure to note down and save your UAN. No matter how many jobs you change, this number remains the same for your entire work life.
Check Your KYC and Bank Details
After logging in to the EPFO portal, check these things:
- Your name must match with Aadhaar and PAN
- The date of joining should be correct
- The bank account number must be correct and linked to receive PF withdrawals
- PAN must be updated for tax purposes
If anything is incorrect, inform your HR immediately. They can help you fix mistakes using the Joint Declaration form.
Monitor EPF Deductions and SMS Alerts
EPFO sends an SMS every month when money is deposited into your PF account.
- Log in monthly to check your EPF passbook and ensure the employer is depositing regularly
- If you don’t receive messages, check if your mobile number is correctly linked to UAN
- You can also download the Umang app to access EPFO services from your phone
What Happens When You Switch Jobs?
When you leave your first job and join another company, your new employer will create a new Member ID, but you must continue using the same UAN.
- Do not create a new UAN at the new job
- Share your old UAN with the new employer
- You can transfer your PF balance from the old Member ID to the new one through the EPFO portal
If You Face Any Issues
In case of any EPF-related problem:
- First, contact your HR
- If the issue is not solved, raise a complaint through EPFO’s Grievance Management System (EPFiGMS)
Regularly update your documents and check your EPF account to avoid surprises later.
Source: ET Wealth, Live Hindustan, EPFO India
