Transferring Your EPF Account: All About Form 13
Transferring Your EPF Account: All About Form 13
The EPF or Employees' Provident Fund is a social security scheme within India that was started to help employees save for retirement. When you switch jobs, you can easily transfer your accumulated EPF funds from your previous employer to your new one. This ensures a seamless continuation of your retirement savings and avoids the need to open a new EPF account.
What is Form 13?
Form 13, also known as the "Transfer Claim Form," is an official document used to request the transfer of your EPF account balance between employers. It can be filled out and submitted either online or offline.
Who Needs Form 13?
Anyone who is employed in India and contributes to the EPF scheme will likely need Form 13 when they change jobs. This ensures your existing EPF balance is transferred to your new employer's account, allowing you to continue accumulating retirement savings seamlessly.
What Information Goes in Form 13?
Employee Details:
- Your full name (as it appears in the EPF database)
- Your father's name (or husband's name for married women)
- Previous employer's name and address
- Your EPF account number you had with previous employer
- Details of who maintained your EPF account previously (regional PF commissioner or a PF trust)
- Previous FPF account number (if applicable)
- Dates of joining and leaving your previous employment
- Date submitting the form
- Your signature or left thumb impression
New Employer Details:
- Establishment name and address
- EPF code and account number assigned to you
- New FPF account number (if applicable)
- Details of your new EPF account (including regional or sub-regional office address for un-exempted establishments, or the name of the exempted PF trust/private PF for exempted establishments)
- Address of the regional or sub-regional office holding your separate FPF account number (if any)
- Payee details
- Date of submitting the form
- An Authorized official's signature with the company seal
How to Submit Form 13
There are two ways to submit Form 13:
- Offline: Obtain the form from your previous or new employer, fill out your section, and have your new employer complete theirs. Then, submit the completed form to either your previous or new employer (depending on your preference).
- Online: You can access the form online and fill out your section through the EPFO member portal (https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/). You'll need your UAN number and password to log in. Here's a simplified guide:
1. Sign in to the EPFO member portal.
2. Go to the "Online Services" tab.
3. Click "One member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request)."
4. Review your current EPF account details and select the account you want to transfer.
5. Choose the employer (previous or new) to attest Form 13 and provide your UAN or member ID.
6. Complete OTP verification.
7. Fill out the online form and download a PDF copy for printing.
8. Have your new employer digitally approve the transfer request on the employer's interface of the EPFO portal.
9. Submit the printed copy of Form 13 (with your employer's attestation) to either your previous or new employer within 10 days of initiating the online transfer request.
Additional Requirements for Online Transfer
- Your employer(s) must have e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) completed and authorized signatories digitally registered with the EPFO.
- Both your previous and current EPF account numbers must be registered in the EPFO database.
- You can only have one outstanding transfer request per member ID.
- Your UAN must be activated on the UAN website, and the phone number used for activation must be active.
- Your bank account and IFSC code must be linked to your UAN.