A PF transfer moves the balance from your old member ID to the new one under the same UAN, so your service stays continuous and your savings keep earning in one place. For most members with an Aadhaar linked UAN, EPFO now starts the move on its own once the new employer makes the first deposit.
This independent page explains when that automatic transfer works, how to file Form 13 online when it does not, special cases such as private trusts, and how to confirm the money has arrived.
Quick facts
Automatic
Starts after the new employer's first deposit, for eligible membersManual route
One Member One EPF Account (Form 13) on the member portalNeeds
Same UAN, Aadhaar verified, KYC complete, exit date of old jobApprovals
Source office only; destination office step removedProof
Annexure K downloadable after transferCost
Free
Why PF transfer matters more than withdrawal
- Tax. PF paid out before five years of continuous service can attract TDS. Transferred service counts towards the five years; withdrawn service does not.
- Pension. Your pension service adds up across jobs only if the record is carried forward. Ten years is needed for a monthly pension, as explained on EPS pension.
- Interest. An old account with no deposits can stop earning once it becomes inoperative under the scheme rules.
- Easier claims later. One consolidated member ID means one claim, not several.
If you truly need money, see PF withdrawal; otherwise transfer.
Before any EPFO transfer request
- You used the same UAN at the new job. If a second UAN was created by mistake, ask EPFO to merge them first; transfer works only within one UAN.
- Aadhaar is verified against the UAN and your personal details (name, birth date, gender) match it.
- Bank and PAN are seeded. See KYC update.
- The previous employer has marked your date of exit. If they have not, the portal lets you enter it yourself after a two month gap with no deposit.
- Open View, then Service History, to confirm both jobs appear with correct dates.
Automatic transfer: how it works
When you join a new covered employer, a fresh member ID is created under your existing UAN. After that employer's first monthly deposit is reconciled, EPFO starts transferring the old balance without a claim from you.
Auto transfer does not work, and you need the manual route, when:
- either employer runs an exempted PF trust;
- the UAN is not Aadhaar linked or KYC is incomplete;
- you hold more than one UAN;
- the previous exit date is missing or profile details do not match.
Give it a couple of months after the first salary at the new job. If no Transfer in line appears in the new EPF passbook by then, file online.
How to transfer PF online with Form 13
- Start at the UAN login page and enter your credentials.
- Open Online Services and choose One Member One EPF Account (Transfer Request).
- Check your personal details and the current member ID shown.
- Click Get Details to list previous member IDs, then pick the one to move.
- Choose whether the previous or the current employer is shown for records. For most members with verified Aadhaar no employer approval is needed now.
- Request the OTP on your registered mobile, enter it and submit.
This online Form 13 replaces the old paper form for most people. Since EPFO removed the destination office approval, once the source office approves, the balance lands in your current account directly.
Transfers from or to a private PF trust
If your old or new employer manages PF through its own exempted trust, the online route may not cover it. The usual path is a Form 13 submitted through the trust or the employer, which then sends the money and service details by bank transfer to EPFO or the other trust. Ask HR for the trust's process and get an acknowledgment. Amounts from a trust do not show in the EPFO passbook until they arrive.
Check PF transfer status
- Open the member portal and sign in.
- Open Online Services and choose Track Claim Status, or the transfer tracking option where shown. Transfer claims appear with form 13 and a tracking ID.
- Read the status and remarks. Transfer statuses follow the same pattern as other claims, explained on claim status.
- After settlement, the current member ID's passbook should show a transfer in entry.
- Download Annexure K from the member portal. It records the amount and service moved and is useful later for pension.
Worked example: what a completed transfer looks like
Meena worked 3 years at her first job and has Rs 1,85,000 in that member ID. She joins a new employer and her first deposit there is Rs 3,000.
- After the transfer, the new member ID shows a transfer in entry of Rs 1,85,000 plus any interest added up to the transfer date.
- The old member ID now shows a zero balance with a transfer out line.
- Her continuous service for tax counts 3 years plus her time at the new job. If she settles after 2 more years, she has 5 years and TDS should not apply.
Common PF transfer problems
| Problem | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Old member ID not listed | It is under a different UAN | Get the UANs merged first |
| Rejected because details differ | The two jobs record a different name or birth date | Correct the profile, then refile |
| Pending with employer | A case that still needs attestation | Request HR to clear it from their side |
| Pension service not added | Pension part handled separately | Check Annexure K and raise a grievance if missing |
For anything stuck, use the helpline and grievance options.
Frequently asked questions
Is PF transfer automatic when I change jobs?
For most members with an Aadhaar linked UAN and complete KYC, yes. EPFO starts it after the new employer's first deposit. If both jobs are not on EPFO directly, or details do not match, you file Form 13 online.
How long does PF transfer take?
It depends on the source office. Under the scheme, EPFO is expected to finish a complete claim in twenty days. Automatic transfers start only after the first deposit at the new job.
Do I need my old employer's approval for Form 13?
In most cases no longer. Approval at the employer and the destination office was removed for most members. Only some cases, such as profile mismatches, still go to an employer.
Where can I download PF transfer Form 13?
You normally do not need a paper copy, because Form 13 is filed online through One Member One EPF Account. For a trust case, ask the trust or employer for the form they accept.
Will my old PF interest be lost on transfer?
No. Interest up to the transfer date moves with the balance, and the money continues to earn in the new account.
Can I transfer PF from one account to another of my own choice?
Transfer works only between member IDs under your UAN, from an older job to the current one. You cannot move PF to a bank or another person's account.