The UAN (Universal Account Number) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to an employee who is contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in India. It is provided by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The UAN is designed to centralize employee data in the EPF database and serves several crucial functions:
Linking Multiple PF Accounts:
- An employee can have multiple PF (Provident Fund) accounts if they change jobs. The UAN links these multiple accounts into a single consolidated account. This makes managing PF accounts easier for both employees and employers.
Simplifying PF Withdrawal and Transfer:
- With a UAN, employees can easily transfer their PF balance from one employer to another when they change jobs without the need for employer intervention. It also simplifies the process of withdrawing funds from the PF account.
Online Services Access:
- The UAN enables employees to access various services provided by the EPFO through the EPFO portal. This includes viewing PF balance, downloading UAN cards and passbooks, updating KYC details, filing for a claim, etc.
Reducing Employer Dependency:
- Since UAN is linked with an employee’s KYC (Know Your Customer) details like Aadhaar and PAN, it reduces the dependency on employers for PF-related services.
KYC Verification:
- The UAN facilitates the KYC verification process, making it quicker and more streamlined. An employee’s UAN must be linked with their KYC details, including their bank account information, Aadhaar, and PAN.
Continuity:
- The UAN remains the same throughout the lifetime of an employee’s career, regardless of the number of jobs or companies they change. This continuity makes it easier for tracking and managing the EPF account over a long period.
Obtaining a UAN:
- Employers typically obtain a UAN for their employees from the EPFO when they start contributing to the EPF.
- Employees can find their UAN on their salary slip or by asking their employer.
- It’s also possible to retrieve or activate a UAN through the EPFO portal using basic details like PF number/member ID, Aadhaar, or PAN.
The introduction of UAN has greatly enhanced the EPF management experience for employees, ensuring portability and ease of access to EPF services.
