How To Check Your PF Balance: A Complete Guide
Did you know? From 2022 to 2023, INR 1.39 crore members joined in on EPFO services1. These figures depict that more and more people are opting for Provident Funds to secure their future.
However, just saving a certain amount of your earnings in PFs is not enough to ensure its effectiveness; you must stay up-to-date with fund-related information like employer contributions, making withdrawals, etc., and manage your funds wisely.
To do so, you would have to start by checking your PF balance. If you do not know how to check PF balance, read this article till the end.
Prerequisites For Checking PF Balance
A Provident Fund (PF) is a retirement saving scheme where employees build themselves a financial reserve for their future after retirement. It is certainly a long-term savings plan that will allow you to contribute a certain portion of your salary, which is matched by your employer.
The PF balance refers to the total balance that has been accumulated in an employee's PF account. It contains the portion of PF contribution by both employee and employer along with the interest made on the contributions.
Before moving to how to check PF balance, let’s discuss some prerequisites for the same:
Understanding The Universal Account Number (UAN)
The Universal Account Number(UAN) is a unique 12-digit number that gets assigned to every EPF(Employees’ Provident Fund) member. This number remains the same throughout an employee's career, regardless of any future job changes. You can easily manage your UAN account online, making it easy to check your balance or update details.
Ensuring Your Mobile Number Is Registered With EPFO
EPFO, or Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, is the organisation that manages EPF accounts. Therefore, it is important to update your phone number on their portal so that you can receive balance updates through SMS, missed call services, or the UMANG app, which is a government-provided app where citizens can access their important documents.
Other Methods To Check PF Balance
You can check your PF balance even by a few other methods. Here are those methods on how to check PF balance:
1. The EPFO Member Portal
You can use the EPFO member portal to view your PF passbook with ease. Here are the steps to check your PF balance through EPFO:
Step 1: Visit EPFO Website
To view your PF passbook, you need to visit the EPFO website.
Step 2: Go to ‘Member Passbook’
After going into the website, click on ‘Our Services’ and then ‘For Employees’. You will find ‘Member Passbook’ under ‘Services’ category.
Step 3: Enter Details
You will then be redirected to the EPF Password Portal, where you can enter your UAN, password, and captcha to log in.
Step 4: View or Download Passbook
Once logged in, you can view your PF balance, monthly contributions, and other related details.
2. The UMANG Mobile App
You can check your PF balance and other important documents through the UMANG application as well.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open App
Download the app from Google Play Store(Android) or App Store(iOS), and then open the app on your phone.
Step 2: Register/Login
Register with your mobile number if you have not yet, and create your account or log in if you already have an account.
Step 3: Search EPFO Services
Search for ‘EPFO Services’ in the search bar, go to ‘View Pension Passbook,’ and then give your mobile number and OTP to log in.
Step 4: View Balance
You can now check your balance and contributions.
What To Do If You Have Not Activated Your UAN
If you haven't activated your UAN yet, it's highly recommended to do so immediately. This allows you to access and manage your EPF account online, check your PF balance, and make withdrawals seamlessly. Follow these steps to activate your UAN:
Step 1: Visit EPFO
Go to the EPFO website and click on ‘Activate UAN’ under the ‘Important Links’ section.
Step 2: Enter Details
Enter required details like UAN/Member ID, Aadhar number, name, DOB, mobile number, and captcha. Then click on ‘Get Authorization Pin’ to get OTP.
Step 3: Validate OTP and Activate UAN
After receiving OTP, enter and verify your details. Set a strong password, and now you have successfully activated your UAN.
Steps To Take If Your Mobile Number Is Not Registered
Without a registered mobile number, you would not be able to access your EPF services. A mobile number is required to view the PF balance through SMS, missed calls, or even the EPFO portal. Here is what you can do if your mobile number is not registered yet:
Step 1: Visit EPFO
Visit the EPFO website and log in using your UAN and password to update your new number with your EPF.
Step 2: Change Mobile Number
Go to ‘Manage,’ then ‘Contact Details,’ and select the option ‘Change Mobile Number.’
Step 3: Verify
Add your new mobile number and click on ‘Get OTP.’ Then, enter the OTP to verify your mobile number and save the changes.
Conclusion
Saving in PF accounts can guarantee you financial security and financially worry-free living in your golden days. However, it is essential to keep track and balance your savings to have a better financial plan. With so many options available online, it has become much easier to monitor, withdraw, and ensure correct employer contributions on your PF.
While PF savings are great, you can maximize its manifolds by investing in other high-yield investment options. This is exactly where Grip Invest can help you. Unlike other traditional investment platforms, this platform enables you to invest in alternate investment avenues like SDIs, corporate bonds, etc. So, what are you waiting for? Maximise your PF savings by signing up with Grip today!
Frequently Asked Questions On How To Check PF Balance
1. Can I check the PF balance for my previous employers?
Yes, you can easily check the contributions made by your previous employers through the EPFO portal or UMANG app. All you need to do is log in with your respective UAN and view your passbook to record the contributions made.
2. How do you check your PF balance without UAN?
To check your PF balance without a UAN, you can either send a message or give a missed call. Send an SMS to the number 7738299899 saying ‘EPFOHO UAN ENG’, ENG being the choice of language. Or you can give a missed call at 9966044425 to receive your PF details through SMS.
3. Are PF and UAN numbers the same?
No, the PF and UAN numbers are not the same. The PF number is an ID that gets assigned by the employer, whereas the UAN is a 12-digit number that is assigned by EPFO to link PF accounts under the same profile.
References
1. Ministry of Labour And Employment, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1925883
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