When a working professional switches positions, the new employer sets up a new Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account for the employee. All EPF accounts are assigned a Universal Account Number (UAN).
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) assigns a unique 12-digit number known as the UAN. The UAN is consistent throughout your career; even if you move jobs, your UAN will stay the same. To minimize potential losses, combine all of your previous UANs with the most recent.
An employee can be issued a new UAN for a variety of reasons. If he or she moves employment without revealing his Member ID and UAN, the new employer may create a new UAN and EPF account. Alternatively, the former employer may not mention the employee’s last day of employment on the Electronic Challan and Return (ECR).
Furthermore, UAN enables individuals to combine their several EPF accounts. The UAN allows you to merge all of your EPF accounts into a single one. When setting up an EPF account with a new employer, an EPF member must supply their UAN. After creating a new EPF account, funds from the previous one can be easily transferred. If the new organization creates a new UAN, you must combine all of your UANs into a single UAN.
Steps On How To Merge Two Or More UAN Numbers
- Step 1: Visit the Member Sewa Portal at https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in.
- Step 2: Search and choose the ‘One member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request)’ option on the homepage in the ‘Online Services’ area.
- Step 3: The screen will show your information. It will also provide the information for your current employer’s EPF account, into which the transfers from prior accounts will be made.
- Step 4: To transfer the old or prior account, get it verified by either your previous or present employer. An employee might pick an attestation through their existing company to speed up the transfer procedure. Then input your former member ID, which is also known as your old PF account number or UAN. Select ‘Get Details’. The next screen will show information about your past EPF accounts.
- Step 5: Select the ‘Get OTP’ option. You will get a one-time password via your registered cellphone number. Enter the OTP and click the Submit button.
Following this, your request for combining EPF accounts will be successfully executed. Your present employer must approve the merger request that you submit. Once your employer has approved, the EPFO will manage and combine your past and current EPF accounts. Remember to check the portal for updates on the merger’s status.
