Employee Provident Fund (EPF): EPFO Login, Schemes, Interest Rate, Contributions, Benefits & Services 2026

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is one of India’s most important retirement savings schemes for salaried employees. Managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), EPF helps employees build a long-term retirement corpus through monthly contributions from both the employee and employer.

As of 2026, EPFO serves crores of members across India and continues to expand its digital services through online claim settlement, UAN-based login, EPF passbook access, KYC updates, pension services, grievance redressal, and new-age features under EPFO 3.0. The EPF interest rate for FY 2025-26 is 8.25%, making it a stable and government-backed retirement savings option for eligible employees.

What is EPFO?

EPFO, or the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It administers social security schemes for salaried employees in India under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

EPFO is responsible for managing:

Employee Provident Fund savings
Employee Pension Scheme benefits
Employee Deposit Linked Insurance benefits
Online EPF transfer and withdrawal claims
UAN-based member services
EPF grievance redressal
KYC and account updates

EPFO is governed by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), a tripartite body consisting of representatives from the government, employers, and employees. The CBT oversees fund management, policy decisions, interest rate declarations, and the overall administration of EPF-related schemes.

Latest Update: EPFO 3.0

EPFO is moving towards a faster, more digital, and member-friendly system through EPFO 3.0. This upgrade aims to make provident fund services easier and more accessible for employees.

Key updates under EPFO 3.0 include:

Instant PF withdrawal through UPI and ATMs
No employer approval requirement for certain withdrawals
Aadhaar-based authentication
Tie-up with multiple banks for faster withdrawals
Auto-settlement limit increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh
Faster and paperless claim processing

These changes are expected to reduce delays and make EPF withdrawal more convenient for members.

What is EPF?

EPF, or Employees’ Provident Fund, is a government-backed retirement savings scheme in which both the employer and employee contribute a fixed percentage of the employee’s basic salary and dearness allowance every month.

The accumulated EPF balance earns annual interest and can be withdrawn at retirement or under specific conditions such as unemployment, housing, education, medical emergencies, or other approved purposes.

EPF is designed to help employees:

Build long-term retirement savings
Receive employer-backed savings support
Earn annual interest on accumulated balance
Access funds in emergencies
Secure pension and insurance benefits through linked schemes

EPFO Schemes

EPFO administers three major social security schemes:

Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952
Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995
Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976

Each scheme has a different purpose and benefit structure.

1. EPF Scheme 1952: Retirement Savings

The Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 is the main retirement savings scheme under EPFO.

Under this scheme:

Employee contributes 12% of basic salary plus dearness allowance
Employer also contributes towards EPF-related benefits
The EPF balance earns annual interest
The employee receives the accumulated corpus at retirement
Partial withdrawals are allowed for approved needs

EPF acts as a disciplined long-term savings instrument for salaried individuals.

2. EPS 1995: Pension Scheme

The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 provides monthly pension income after retirement.

Key points:

A portion of the employer’s contribution goes to EPS
8.33% of the employer’s contribution is diverted to EPS
Employee becomes eligible for pension after 10 years of service
Pension is generally available from the age of 58
Early pension may be claimed from age 50 at a reduced rate

EPS helps employees receive regular post-retirement income.

3. EDLI Scheme 1976: Insurance Coverage

The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 provides life insurance coverage to EPF members.

Important features:

Benefit is paid to the nominee if the employee dies during service
No employee contribution is required
Employer contributes towards EDLI
Maximum insurance benefit is up to ₹7 lakh
Minimum assured benefit is ₹2.5 lakh

EDLI provides financial protection to the family of an EPF member.

EPF vs EPS vs EDLI: Comparison Table

Feature	EPF	EPS	EDLI
Full Form	Employees’ Provident Fund	Employees’ Pension Scheme	Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance
Purpose	Retirement savings	Monthly pension	Life insurance cover
Benefit Type	Lump sum corpus with interest	Monthly pension	Lump sum nominee benefit
Contribution	Employee and employer	From employer contribution	Employer contribution
Eligibility	Eligible salaried employees	Usually after 10 years of service	Active EPF members
Payout Timing	Retirement or withdrawal conditions	Retirement or early pension conditions	Death during service
Maximum Benefit	No fixed cap	Based on pension rules	Up to ₹7 lakh

EPFO Login: How to Access the Member Portal

Employees can access their EPF account online through the EPFO Unified Member Portal. Before logging in, members must activate their UAN, or Universal Account Number.

Through the EPFO member portal, employees can:

Check EPF balance
Download EPF passbook
File online claims
Transfer EPF account
Update KYC details
Track claim status
Manage member profile

Steps to Login to EPFO Member Portal

Follow these steps to log in:

Visit the EPFO Unified Member Portal.
Enter your UAN and password.
Complete captcha verification.
Click on “Sign In”.
Complete OTP verification if prompted.

Members should ensure that their UAN is activated and linked with Aadhaar and registered mobile number to avoid login issues.

How to Reset EPFO Login Password

If you forget your EPFO login password, follow these steps:

Visit the EPFO Member Portal login page.
Click on “Forgot Password”.
Enter your UAN and captcha.
Verify your identity through OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Set a new password.
Log in again using the updated password.

Aadhaar-linked mobile number verification is important for smooth password reset.

EPF Interest Rate 2025-26

The EPF interest rate for FY 2025-26 is 8.25% per annum.

EPF interest is calculated monthly on the running balance but credited annually at the end of the financial year.

EPF Interest Rate History

Financial Year	EPF Interest Rate
2025-26	8.25%
2024-25	8.25%
2023-24	8.25%
2022-23	8.10%
2021-22	8.10%

The EPF interest rate is reviewed and declared annually by EPFO.

How EPF Interest is Calculated

EPF interest is calculated on the monthly running balance in the EPF account. Although the interest is calculated monthly, it is credited annually.

This compounding structure helps employees grow their retirement corpus steadily over the long term.

EPF Contribution Details

EPF contributions are made monthly by both employee and employer.

The employee contributes:

12% of basic salary plus dearness allowance

The employer contributes towards multiple components, including EPF, EPS, EDLI, and administrative charges.

Employer Contribution Break-up

Particulars	Contribution Percentage
EPF	3.67%
EPS	8.33%
EDLI	0.50%
EPF Admin Charges	0.50%

The employee’s 12% contribution goes fully into the EPF account.

EPF Contribution Example

Suppose an employee has a monthly basic salary of ₹14,000 and no dearness allowance.

Employee contribution:

₹14,000 × 12% = ₹1,680

Employer contribution:

₹14,000 × 13% = ₹1,820

The employer contribution is divided among EPF, EPS, EDLI, and administrative charges as per applicable EPFO rules.

EPF Eligibility

EPF registration is mandatory for certain employers and employees.

Who Must Enrol in EPF?

EPF registration is mandatory for:

Establishments with 20 or more employees
Employees earning up to ₹15,000 per month as basic salary plus dearness allowance at the time of joining

Once an employee becomes an EPF member, membership generally continues even if salary later exceeds ₹15,000.

Voluntary EPF Coverage

EPF coverage may also apply voluntarily in some cases.

Voluntary EPF coverage is possible when:

Employee earns more than ₹15,000 per month and opts in with employer consent
Organisation has fewer than 20 employees and voluntarily registers under EPF

Once voluntary coverage is approved, EPF rules, contributions, and compliance requirements become applicable.

Key EPFO Services

EPFO provides several digital and offline services to employees, employers, pensioners, and nominees.

1. Universal Account Number

The Universal Account Number, or UAN, is a unique 12-digit number issued by EPFO.

UAN helps employees:

Link multiple EPF member IDs
Access EPF passbook
Transfer old PF accounts
Check contribution history
Receive SMS alerts
File online claims
Update KYC details

UAN remains the same even if an employee changes jobs.

2. Online EPF Transfer

When an employee changes jobs, the old EPF account can be transferred to the new employer using the UAN-based unified portal.

Online EPF transfer is:

Paperless
Faster
Linked with UAN
Useful for consolidating multiple EPF accounts
Helpful for maintaining continuous service history

Employees generally use Form 13 for PF transfer.

3. Online PF Withdrawal

EPFO allows online PF withdrawal if the UAN is active and linked with Aadhaar.

An employee may withdraw PF after leaving employment, subject to EPFO rules. For example, withdrawal may be allowed if the person is unemployed for a specified period after resignation.

EPFO also permits partial withdrawals for approved purposes such as:

Medical emergencies
Housing
Education
Marriage
Unemployment
Other permitted needs

4. Online PF Payments

Employers must make EPF payments online.

EPFO has tie-ups with several banks for collection of EPFO dues. These include banks such as SBI, PNB, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Online payments help improve compliance and reduce manual processing delays.

5. Certificate of Coverage for International Workers

EPFO offers a centralised software system for generating a Certificate of Coverage for eligible international workers.

This is useful for employees working in countries that have Social Security Agreements with India.

6. SMS and Missed Call Services

EPFO provides SMS and missed call services for members who have activated UAN.

Members can get details such as:

KYC status
Last contribution
EPF balance
Claim-related alerts
Interest credit updates

Members can send an SMS in the prescribed format to 7738299899.

They can also give a missed call to 011-22901406 from the registered mobile number to get EPF details.

7. EPF Passbook and Claim Status

Members can view their EPF passbook online and track claim status through the EPFO portal.

The passbook helps members verify:

Monthly employee contribution
Employer contribution
Interest credit
Transfer entries
Withdrawal entries
Current EPF balance

EPF Claim Status

After submitting an EPF withdrawal or transfer claim, members can check the claim status online.

Claim status can be checked through:

EPFO member portal
UMANG app
SMS service
Missed call service

To check PF claim status, members may need details such as:

Employment details
Extension code, if applicable
Employer’s EPF regional office
Universal Account Number

EPF Forms

EPFO uses different forms for account opening, nomination, transfer, withdrawal, pension, and settlement.

Form Name	Purpose
Form 2	Nomination for EPF and EPS
Form 5	Details of new employees eligible for EPF, submitted by employer
Form 10-C	Pension withdrawal claim under EPS for less than 10 years of service
Form 10-D	Monthly pension claim under EPS for 10 or more years of service
Form 11	Declaration by new employee for PF transfer or eligibility
Form 13	Transfer of PF account from one employer to another
Form 14	Purchase of LIC policy using EPF funds
Form 15G / 15H	Avoiding TDS on PF withdrawal if conditions are met
Form 19	Final PF settlement after leaving employment
Composite Claim Form	Single form for final settlement, partial withdrawal, pension withdrawal, and other claims

Benefits of EPF

EPF offers several benefits for salaried employees.

1. Long-Term Savings

EPF helps employees save consistently for retirement through monthly salary deductions.

2. Employer Contribution

Along with the employee’s contribution, the employer also contributes towards EPF-related benefits.

3. Interest Earnings

The EPF balance earns annual interest, helping the retirement corpus grow over time.

4. Financial Support During Emergencies

EPF allows partial withdrawals for approved needs such as medical treatment, housing, education, marriage, and unemployment.

5. Retirement Security

EPF helps employees build a corpus that can support them after retirement.

6. Pension Benefit

Through EPS, eligible employees may receive monthly pension after retirement.

7. Insurance Protection

Through EDLI, nominees may receive insurance benefits if the employee dies during service.

EPF Taxation and Exemptions

EPF has several tax benefits, but tax treatment depends on contribution limits, withdrawal timing, and applicable tax regime.

Employee Contribution

Employee contribution to EPF can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C up to ₹1.5 lakh, but only under the old tax regime.

Employer Contribution

Employer contribution up to 12% of basic salary is generally exempt from tax. However, employer contribution exceeding prescribed limits may become taxable.

Interest on EPF

Interest on employee contribution is tax-free up to the permitted contribution threshold. Interest on contributions above the applicable limit may be taxable.

High Contribution Tax Rule

If employee contributions exceed the prescribed annual threshold, interest on the excess contribution may become taxable.

Tax rules may change by financial year, so employees should verify the latest provisions before filing their Income Tax Return.

EPFO New Rules 2025-26

EPFO is introducing several new measures to improve speed, access, and coverage.

1. EPFO 3.0: UPI and ATM Withdrawals

Under EPFO 3.0, members may get faster access to EPF withdrawal through UPI and ATM-based systems.

Expected benefits include:

Instant access to eligible PF balance
Reduced claim processing time
Aadhaar-based authentication
No employer approval for certain withdrawals
Higher auto-settlement limit of ₹5 lakh

2. EPFO Enrolment Scheme 2025

The EPFO Enrolment Scheme 2025 aims to bring more workers into the formal social security system.

It encourages employers to register eligible employees and improve EPF coverage.

3. Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication

Aadhaar-based face authentication is designed to simplify identity verification.

It can help members:

Complete KYC more easily
Access services securely
Submit claims with reduced OTP dependency
Reduce fraud risk

4. Higher Pension on Higher Wages

Eligible employees may opt for a higher pension under EPS by contributing on actual salary above the wage ceiling, subject to EPFO rules.

This benefit depends on:

Eligibility
Joint option submission
EPFO approval
Applicable pension rules

EPFO Grievance: How to File a Complaint

EPFO provides an online grievance system for members, employers, and pensioners.

Common EPFO grievances include:

PF withdrawal delay
Claim rejection
Account transfer issue
Pension settlement issue
Incorrect member details
KYC approval delay
Employer contribution mismatch

Steps to File EPFO Grievance

Visit the EPFO grievance portal.
Click on “Register Grievance”.
Select your status, such as employee, employer, or EPS pensioner.
Enter your PF account details.
Provide your regional EPF office details.
Enter establishment details.
Fill in personal details such as name, address, phone number, email ID, and pin code.
Select grievance category.
Upload grievance letter or supporting documents.
Enter captcha and submit the grievance.

Members can track grievance status online after submission.

EPFO KYC Update

KYC update is important for smooth EPFO services such as withdrawals, transfers, claim settlement, and login authentication.

Steps to Update EPFO KYC

Log in to the EPFO e-Sewa portal.
Click on “Manage KYC”.
Select the document type, such as Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details.
Enter document number and name as per the document.
Update expiry date if applicable.
Save and submit the details.
Employer verifies and approves the KYC.
Employee receives SMS after approval.

Updated KYC helps avoid claim delays and account verification issues.

How to Check EPF Balance

Employees can check their EPF balance through multiple methods:

EPFO Member e-Sewa portal
EPF passbook portal
UMANG app
SMS service
Missed call service

To use SMS or missed call service, UAN must be activated and linked with the registered mobile number.

How to Withdraw EPF Online

To withdraw EPF online, a member generally needs:

Activated UAN
Aadhaar linked with UAN
PAN, if applicable
Bank account linked and verified
Registered mobile number
Completed KYC

The member can log in to the EPFO portal, select the relevant claim option, verify details, submit the claim, and track claim status online.

Difference Between EPF and PPF

Point	EPF	PPF
Full Form	Employees’ Provident Fund	Public Provident Fund
Applicability	Salaried employees	Any eligible individual
Contribution	Employee and employer	Individual contribution
Nature	Employment-linked	Voluntary savings scheme
Account Management	EPFO	Bank or post office
Purpose	Retirement savings for employees	Long-term savings and tax planning
Employer Role	Yes	No

EPF is primarily for salaried employees, while PPF is a voluntary savings scheme available to individuals.

Common EPF Withdrawal Rules

EPF withdrawal is subject to EPFO conditions. Members may be allowed to withdraw:

Up to 75% of EPF balance after one month of unemployment
Remaining balance after more than two months of unemployment
Partial amount for specific approved needs
Full balance after retirement or permitted exit conditions

Withdrawal rules may vary depending on the claim type and service history.

Important Things Employees Should Check Regularly

Employees should regularly verify:

UAN activation status
Aadhaar linking
PAN linking
Bank account details
Monthly employer contribution
EPF passbook entries
Nominee details
Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
KYC approval status
Claim history

Regular checking helps avoid delays during withdrawal, transfer, or pension claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is EPFO?

EPFO stands for Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. It is a government body that manages social security schemes such as EPF, EPS, and EDLI for salaried employees in India.

2. What is EPF?

EPF stands for Employees’ Provident Fund. It is a retirement savings scheme where both employer and employee contribute every month towards the employee’s provident fund account.

3. What is the EPF interest rate for FY 2025-26?

The EPF interest rate for FY 2025-26 is 8.25% per annum. The interest is calculated monthly but credited annually.

4. How do I login to the EPFO member portal?

You can log in to the EPFO member portal using your UAN, password, and captcha. OTP verification may be required through your registered mobile number.

5. What is UAN?

UAN, or Universal Account Number, is a unique 12-digit number issued by EPFO. It links multiple EPF accounts of an employee under one identity.

6. How can I check my EPF balance?

You can check EPF balance through the EPFO portal, passbook portal, UMANG app, SMS service, or missed call service from your registered mobile number.

7. Can I transfer my PF account after changing jobs?

Yes. You can transfer your PF account to your new employer using Form 13 or through the EPFO online transfer facility.

8. What is EPS pension?

EPS pension is a monthly pension benefit under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. It is available to eligible employees after meeting service and age conditions.

9. What is EDLI?

EDLI is the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme. It provides insurance benefit to the nominee of an EPF member in case of death during service.

10. How can I file an EPFO grievance?

You can file an EPFO grievance through the EPFO grievance portal by entering your PF details, personal information, grievance category, and supporting documents.

11. Is EPF taxable?

EPF has tax benefits, but taxability depends on employee contribution, employer contribution, interest earned, withdrawal timing, and tax regime. Employee contribution deduction under Section 80C is available only under the old tax regime.

12. What is EPFO 3.0?

EPFO 3.0 is a digital upgrade aimed at making EPFO services faster and more convenient. It includes proposed features such as UPI-based withdrawal, ATM access, Aadhaar authentication, and higher auto-settlement limits.

Conclusion

EPF is a powerful retirement savings tool for salaried employees in India. Through regular contributions, annual interest, pension benefits, and insurance protection, EPFO helps employees build financial security for the future.

With digital services such as UAN login, online passbook, online PF transfer, online withdrawal, KYC update, grievance filing, SMS alerts, missed call services, and EPFO 3.0 upgrades, EPFO is becoming more accessible and employee-friendly.

Employees should regularly check their EPF passbook, keep KYC updated, track employer contributions, maintain nomination details, and understand withdrawal and tax rules before making any claim. A well-managed EPF account can play a major role in long-term retirement planning and financial stability.