EPFO Rules Change: Nowadays, changing jobs has become commonplace, but the biggest concern with every new job is transferring funds from your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) account. Previously, this process was not only lengthy, but previous employers often delayed approval, causing inconvenience to employees.

The hassle of manual transfers is over

EPFO has fully automated the PF transfer process for its nearly 80 million active members. Now, when an employee joins a new job, the system will automatically transfer the funds from their old account to the new account as soon as their joining date is updated. This process will no longer require employer approval, saving both time and effort. Previously, employees had to fill out Form 13 and obtain verification from their previous employer, which often dragged on for weeks or months.

Entire Career Linked to One UAN

The EPFO ​​has taken another major step to ensure that every employee will have only one Universal Account Number (UAN) for their entire life. Previously, due to system errors or employer negligence, two or more UANs were created for the same person, creating difficulties with transfers and withdrawals. This will no longer be the case.

In the new system, if an employee already has a UAN, the system will automatically prevent the creation of a new UAN. Furthermore, through Aadhaar number and e-KYC verification, the old and new accounts will be linked to the same UAN. This will completely eliminate the cumbersome process of account merging.

Major Relief for Employees

With this new rule, employees will no longer need to visit their old employer or submit a separate application for PF transfer. The entire process has become digital and transparent. Now, whenever employees change jobs, their funds will automatically be transferred to the new account. This will not only save valuable time but also protect their provident fund balance.

This move is especially beneficial for employees who frequently change jobs or work for different companies. It also eliminates the possibility of human error in the transfer process.

Column	Details / Information
Scheme Name	Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
Governing Body	Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
Rule Update Year	2025
Key Change	Automatic transfer of PF balance when an employee changes jobs
Beneficiaries	Around 8 crore active EPFO members
Previous System	Manual transfer required with employer approval using Form 13
New System	Automatic transfer through EPFO system, no employer approval needed
Transfer Time	Within 7–10 working days
Verification Process	Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification
UAN (Universal Account Number)	One UAN for lifetime, linked to all jobs and PF accounts
Main Benefit	Faster, hassle-free PF transfer without manual claim filing
Interest on PF	Continues to accrue during transfer process
Error Prevention	System prevents creation of duplicate UANs
Technology Used	Automated digital processing integrated with employer data updates
Impact	Simplified process, improved transparency, reduced delays for employees
Launch Objective	To make PF management fully digital and seamless for job changers

Interest and Security Remain Intact

The EPFO ​​has also ensured that under the new system, there will be no interruption in interest calculations during transfers. This means that interest will continue to accrue on employees’ funds even during the transfer process. This feature will make employees even more financially secure.

This digital and automated system by the EPFO ​​will increase the transparency of PF accounts and give each member complete control over their savings. This will reduce the administrative burden not only for employees but also for companies.

Disclaimer: This article is based on general information. Please consult the relevant department or expert before making any financial decisions.