Universal Account Numbers (UANs) are assigned to all EPFO members. Multiple EPF accounts are linked to a single UAN. However, it is possible for one individual to have two active UAN numbers, but having two active UANs is forbidden per the EPFO rules. Therefore, you should merge UAN number into one. Read this article to discover why you’ll need two UAN numbers and how to merge two PF accounts in one UAN online.
What is a UAN Number?
A 12-digit identifier known as the UAN (Universal Account Number) is assigned to each contributing member of India’s Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme. The Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) established it so that workers may consolidate all their Member IDs supplied by their employers into one unique user-agent number (UAN).
The UAN remains constant regardless of the number of employers or jobs an individual holds. This is a simple method for transferring EPF benefits and services.
Anyone with an EPFO account may access their UAN and see their account activity using the website or mobile app, including donations, withdrawals, and transfers.
The UAN will merge an individual’s EPF Member IDs when they have worked for several employers. As a consequence of this convergence, account administration and monitoring will become easier for both workers and EPFO.
Reasons for Allotment of Two UANs
When a person changes employment or transfers firms, they could wind up with two UAN numbers since each new company usually gives them a different one. A few common scenarios could explain this phenomenon:
1. Insufficient Disclosure of Prior UAN
When employees change jobs, it is standard practice to disclose their previous UAN and their EPF (Employee Provident Fund) account number (or Member ID) to their new employer. Because of this, their PF account will remain open, and their EPF funds will be transferred without a hitch.
In contrast, the new employer may do so on their behalf if the employee does not provide their UAN and EPF details. That being the case, they can hold a UAN for their current and previous jobs and then they will need to learn how to merge two member ID in one UAN.
2. Failed to report the “Date of Exit timely”
The employee’s previous work experience is a major factor in this process. They must accurately and promptly enter the “Date of Exit” into the ECR system. Having these data for the EPF account transfer and UAN connection is essential to proceed smoothly with the new employer.
New employers have the authority to provide EPF and UAN numbers to employees if their previous employers do not furnish the “Date of Exit” in a timely manner or if there is a delay. If a person’s departure date is not reported in a timely manner, they may end up with two UANs and then they must learn how to merge UAN numbers.
How to Merge Two UAN Numbers?
In cases when you have more than one UAN, deactivating the previous one is required for merging the two. Learn how to merge 2 UAN number by following these steps:
- Before proceeding, ensure both UANs are current and belong to you.
- Contact the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) via their website or support desk. For more help, you may also visit the EPFO office in your district.
- Give information such as your previous and current UANs, as well as your name, DOB, and contact information.
- Send in your request to combine the UANs with any supporting paperwork, such as your Aadhaar number, PAN number, and bank information.
- The merging procedure will be initiated after EPFO has verified the supplied information.
- Once the merge is completed, you will get a confirmation SMS on your registered cellphone number.
- Until the merge procedure is finished, you may check the progress of your request periodically using the EPFO web or hotline.
- If you want to ensure no surprises with future transactions, when the UAN merge is approved, you should update your KYC (Know Your Customer) data with the new UAN.
What Happens When You Have 2 UANs?
It is illegal to utilize two UANs simultaneously according to the rules. Membership in the EPF is best served by having a single UAN linked to each account. Employees’ EPF funds cannot be transferred to another employer when they depart. However, employees who have two UANs can deactivate one and use the other to transfer EPF monies. Consequently, you’ll need to transfer the EPF funds from one UAN to another before you may use them.
What Should an Employee Do in Case of Allotment of 2 UANs?
The ability to deactivate one UAN is available to you if you have received two. The other one is usually yours to keep. There are two options for transferring your EPF funds and deactivating your UAN, as stated on the EPFO website. The following are the two methods to learn how to merge 2 UAN numbers:
FIRST METHOD
- You should inform your employer or EPFO at the first sign of trouble.
- Application materials should be provided to UANepf@epfindia.gov.in along with the applicant’s current and previous UAN.
- EPFO will investigate the issue.
- They will keep your active UAN active and deactivate your old one.
- Next, you’ll have to start the claim process to transfer the EPF money linked to the deactivated UAN to the account that has been activated.
SECOND METHOD
- The member of the EPFO is responsible for transferring their EPF monies from their old UAN to their new one.
- Whenever an EPF transfer request is made, the EPFO system immediately identifies the duplicate UAN. This identification process makes use of intervals.
- After confirming the employee’s identification, EPFO will link the employee’s previous member ID with their new UAN and deactivate the old UAN utilized for the EPF transfer. The employee receives a text message informing them of the deactivation status.
- To get the most up-to-date information on the employee’s account, they shall inquire whether they have activated their new UAN.
- An employee’s former company may be able to pay them back in PF arrears in several situations. The EPFO’s system will detect that you have two EPF accounts linked to different UANs and move the arrears to the new PF account associated with the new UAN. This checking is done periodically. As soon as you become aware of the change, you must apply to transfer your money from your old EPF to your new one.
Steps to Transfer EPF Online
Follow the steps below to transfer the EPF online:
- Go to the EPFO webpage.
- Fill out the following fields: UAN, password, and captcha to access your account.
- In the “Online Services” menu, choose “One Member-one EPF Account” after you’ve logged in.
- Please double-check your information for accuracy before proceeding to the next page.
- Inspect your PF details again by selecting “Get details” from the menu.
- Click “Get OTP” once you’ve validated to have an OTP delivered to the phone number you provided.
- After inputting the retrieved OTP, click “Submit”.
- Include the PF details of your current and previous employers on Form 13.
- A Tracking ID will be generated to monitor the transfer progress after completing the form.
- Please ensure that your employer receives the signed form no later than ten days after you print it out.
- Your employers will electronically authorize the EPF transfer after verifying the facts you give.
FAQ’s:-
Members will be able to get the passbook from the EPFO website. Anyone may access the passbook by downloading it in PDF format.
You may update your Know Your Customer information on the UAN site.
The formal sector employees must submit Form 13 for EPF transfer to their new account upon changing jobs
Yes, the process of merging two UAN numbers can be initiated online through the EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) portal.
Merging two UAN (Universal Account Number) numbers is necessary when an individual has multiple employee provident fund (EPF) accounts due to job changes and wants to consolidate them under a single UAN for simplified management.
No, the UAN merger request must be submitted online through the EPFO portal. Offline submissions are not accepted.