Important warning for EPFO ​​members: Stay alert regarding your pension when withdrawing PF.

Employees who withdraw their PF after changing jobs should also pay attention to their EPS service. It is crucial to link the pensionable service from the old account to the new employment record to ensure your pension records remain unaffected.

If you withdraw your PF after changing jobs, focusing solely on the EPF balance is not enough; the EPS (Employee Pension Scheme) service linked to your account is equally important. Many employees withdraw their PF balance after switching jobs but overlook the status of their old account. If the record of past pensionable service is not carried forward during this transition, it could impact future pension benefits.

While EPF and EPS are both part of the same social security system, they serve different purposes. The amount accumulated in the EPF—along with the accrued interest—builds a retirement fund, whereas the EPS tracks the duration of service that makes you eligible for a pension. Therefore, it is essential to correctly transfer this record when changing jobs.

Why is the EPS record important after PF withdrawal?

Withdrawing your PF funds does not mean your EPS service period has ended. When changing jobs, it is necessary to link the pensionable service from your previous employment to your new EPF account, as pension eligibility under the EPS depends on your total eligible service period.

Generally, a minimum of 10 years of eligible service is required to qualify for a monthly EPS pension. If service periods from different jobs are not recorded correctly, your pension record may appear incomplete.

Can EPS service be transferred later?

If you have already withdrawn the full PF amount and later discover that your old EPS service was not transferred, there is still a way to rectify this. You can link your old service record to your new account by following the EPFO ​​procedure and submitting Form 13.

Avoid these mistakes during EPS transfer

• Ensure that the personal details recorded in your UAN are accurate and up-to-date.
• Make sure there are no errors in your KYC-related information.
• Ensure that your name and other essential details match across both your old and new employment records.
• Verify that the 'Date of Exit' from your previous job has been recorded correctly.
• Carefully review your service records before submitting Form 13.

How to update the 'Date of Exit' with EPFO?

If the 'Date of Exit' from your previous job is incorrect or has not been updated, you can attempt to rectify it via the EPFO ​​portal.

• Log in to the EPFO ​​Member Portal using your UAN and password.
• After logging in, navigate to the 'Manage' section and select the 'Mark Exit' option.
• Check the details related to the relevant PF account and employment.
• Enter the correct reason for leaving the job and the accurate 'Date of Exit'.
• Submit the request after completing the Aadhaar-based OTP verification.