Employee Provident Fund organization
EPFO is abbreviated as 'Employees’ Provident Fund Organization'. It is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India that promotes employees to save funds for retirement. The organization comes under the purview of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, and was launched in 1951.
Structure of EPFO
The schemes under EPFO are administered by a tri-partite Board called the Central Board of Trustees (EPF). It has representatives of Government (both Central and State), Employers, and Employees. EPFO was established to assist the Central Board of Trustees (EPF) which operates the following three schemes:
- The Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme 1952 (EPF)
- The Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS)
- The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI)
Functions of EPFO
- Given below are the main functioning of the EPFO:
- Fast settlement of PF claims
- To make sure whether the organizations are following all the rules and regulations set up by the EPFO regularly
- Real-time monthly maintenance of the member accounts
- Provide easy online access to all the member accounts
- To ensure each employee has only one EPF account
- Improved and reliable facility for online services
- Promotion and encouragement of voluntary compliance
- Improvise easy interaction with EPFO to obtain any information
Services offered by EPFO
Universal Account Number
EPFO introduces the concept of UAN which acts as an umbrella for the multiple Member Ids allotted to an individual by different employers. It is a unique 12-digit number assigned to an employee by the EPFO. UAN enables the linking of multiple EPF Accounts (Member Id) allotted to a single member. This enables the simple transfer of EPFO account on change of jobs.
PF payments online
It has become mandatory for all the establishments to make payment of PF online. Presently EPFO has a tie-up arrangement with 10 financial institutions to collect EPFO dues which are SBI, PNB, Indian Bank, Allahabad Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Online Withdrawal and EPF amount Transfer
With the help of the UAN linked to the Aadhaar card, all the members can easily withdraw their EPF amount online. Transfer of EPF amount from current member ID can also be done online.
UMANG App
The EPFO has launched an app for the EPF members known as UMANG. It is abbreviated as Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG). Employees can use their UAN and passwords to avail of the services of the UMANG app. Various services such as viewing of EPF passbook, updating profile details, etc. through this app.
Inoperative Accounts Online Helpdesk
The EPFO has set up the Inoperative Accounts Online Helpdesk to help the employees to track dormant and old inoperative accounts that do not accumulate any interest. EPF members can now easily track these accounts by providing details about their previous employment.
Online Registration of Establishments
On the EPFO web portal, one can easily register his/her establishment online. Moreover, you can also get benefits due to the online presence of the PF code allotment letter.
Monthly returns for exempted establishments
With the help of the IT tool launched by the EPFO, exempted establishments can file their monthly returns online without any trouble.
Missed call and SMS service
The members who have activated their UAN can access their PF balance, previous contribution, KYC status, etc by sending an SMS to 7738299899 or by giving a missed call to 011-22901406. Employers will also receive an SMS for the non-payment of EPF.
Claim status and passbook
The EPFO members will be able to check the status of their claims as well as view and download the EPF passbook with the help of their UAN.
International workers can generate a Certificate of Coverage
EPFO has launched an online centralized software. With its help, EPF members who are working in countries and have Social Security Agreements with India can easily generate a Certificate of Coverage (CoC). It is initiated by the Government of India for the benefit of Employer and Employee both.
Grievances
If you have any issues regarding the pension settlement, transfer of PF, PF withdrawal, etc. Members can raise a complaint online. Grievance redressals are a top priority for the EPFO, and they deal with it swiftly.
