Withdrawing your Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) balance has become paperless and faster in 2025 through the EPFO member portal. Whether you need a partial advance for medical emergencies, housing, or full settlement after retirement or unemployment, verified UAN and KYC enable online claims without employer approval or branch visits. This guide covers all EPF withdrawal rules, eligibility, composite claim form process, documents, and timelines.
EPF Withdrawal Types and Eligibility (2025 Rules)
EPFO allows withdrawals under specific conditions with updated limits:
| Withdrawal Type | Eligibility | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Full Settlement | Retirement (age 58+), unemployment >2 months, or age 55+ | 100% balance |
| Partial Advance (Form 31) | Medical, marriage, education, housing | Up to 90% (housing after 3 years) |
| PF Advance | Illness, natural calamities | 75% balance |
| Pre-retirement | 1 year before retirement | 90% balance |
Key 2025 Updates:
- No employer attestation needed for KYC-verified UAN.
- Composite Claim Form combines Forms 19, 31, 10C for multiple purposes.
- TDS: 10% on withdrawals >₹50,000 before 5 years of service (if PAN linked).
Prerequisites: Activate UAN & Complete KYC
Mandatory for online withdrawals:
- Activate UAN: Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in > “Activate UAN” > Enter details > OTP verification.
- Link KYC:
- Aadhaar (OTP verified)
- PAN
- Bank account (IFSC + cancelled cheque/passbook)
- Status Check: UAN Dashboard > “Manage” > KYC > All “Approved”.
Method 1: Online PF Withdrawal via EPFO Portal (Recommended)
Composite Claim (Forms 19/31/10C), works for full/partial withdrawals:
- Login: Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface > Enter UAN, password, captcha.
- Online Services: Click “Online Services” > “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)”.
- Verify Details: Check name, DOB, PAN, Aadhaar, bank, auto-fetched if KYC complete.
- Proceed: Enter last 4 digits of bank account > “Verify” > “Yes” on undertaking.
- Select Claim Type:
- PF Advance (Form 31): Medical/housing/education
- Full KYC-based Settlement: Retirement/unemployment
- Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C): EPS benefits
- Enter Details: Purpose, amount, address > E-sign with Aadhaar OTP.
- Submit: Track status on dashboard; money credits in 10-20 working days.
Pro Tip: Use self-certification, no certificates needed for most advances (EPFO order Feb 2017).
Read for more info: How to Check EPF Balance Online 2025: Complete Guide
Method 2: Offline Withdrawal (If UAN Not Activated)
Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar/Non-Aadhaar):
- Download Form: Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar) or Non-Aadhaar.
- Fill Details: Select purpose (advance/settlement), member details, bank info.
- Employer Attestation: Only if KYC incomplete.
- Submit: Drop at nearest EPFO office or employer HR.
- Timeline: 15-30 days processing.
Documents Required for PF Withdrawal
Online (KYC Verified): None extra, self-certification suffices.
Offline/Non-KYC:
- UAN/Member ID
- Aadhaar/PAN
- Cancelled cheque/bank passbook (IFSC visible)
- Address proof
- Purpose-specific docs (medical bills, marriage invite, etc.)
Withdrawal Limits by Purpose (Para 68 Rules)
| Purpose | Eligibility | Maximum Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | Self/family illness | 6 months’ basic wages + DA |
| Marriage | Self/daughter/son | 50% balance (3x/year) |
| Education | Child higher education | 50% balance (3x/year) |
| Housing | Purchase/construction | 90% after 3 years membership |
| Home Loan Repayment | EMI | 36 months’ installments |
No documents needed for advances up to specified limits (self-declaration).
PF Withdrawal Time & Status Check
- Online Claims: 10-20 working days (credited to Aadhaar-linked bank).
- Track Status: UAN Portal > “Track Claim Status” > Enter URN (Universal Reference Number from submission).
- SMS: Send UMANG EPF to 9210294100.
Delays Common: ECR pending, bank mismatch, unverified KYC.
Tax Rules for EPF Withdrawal (Important!)
| Service Years | Withdrawal >₹50,000 | TDS Rate |
|---|---|---|
| <5 years | Taxable | 10% (PAN) / 30% (No PAN) |
| 5+ years | Tax-free (EEE) | None |
Interest: Taxable if withdrawn before 5 years.
Common Rejection Reasons & Fixes
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| KYC Pending | Update Aadhaar/PAN/bank in UAN portal |
| Bank Mismatch | Use exact Aadhaar-seeded account |
| Amount Exceeds Limit | Check Para 68 rules |
| No Employer Approval | Activate KYC—bypasses this |
Special Cases: Unemployment & Retirement Withdrawals
Job Loss (>2 Months):
UAN Portal > Claim > "Full KYC-based Settlement"
↓ Auto-fetch balance
↓ Aadhaar OTP > Submit
↓ 100% PF + EPS transferred[web:187]Retirement:
- Age 58+: Full PF + pension nomination (Form 10D).
- Age 55-58: 100% withdrawal allowed.
Quick Helplines & Resources
- EPFO Helpline: 1800-118-005
- SMS Balance: EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899
- Official Portal: epfindia.gov.in
- UMANG App: EPFO services integrated
Final Tip: Check passbook monthly at passbook.epfindia.gov.in. Withdraw only when needed, EPF compounds at 8.25% (FY25) for retirement
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