Quick answer: Log in to the EPFO member portal, go to Online Services → One Member–One EPF Account (Transfer Request), and submit. Your old PF balance moves to your current employer’s account without touching the money. Do this rather than withdrawing: withdrawal before five years can have tax and service-continuity consequences, while transfer keeps it continuous. The whole process takes 5 minutes to file and completion time varies.
Transfer or withdraw? Transfer, almost always
| Transfer | Withdrawal | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | No tax | Taxable if total service under 5 years; TDS applies above the threshold |
| Service continuity | Preserved, counts toward the 5-year rule and pension | Resets to zero |
| Pension (EPS) years | Carried forward | Lost unless you claim a scheme certificate |
| Interest | Keeps earning | Stops once withdrawn |
| Effort | One online form | One online form |
| Best for | Anyone continuing in employment | Genuine need for the money after 2 months unemployed |
Five years of continuous service is an important tax condition, but exceptions apply. Check eligibility before withdrawing; transferring eligible service can preserve continuity.
Before you file: three checks
- Is your UAN activated and Aadhaar-linked? Transfers need Aadhaar-based OTP verification.
- Is your KYC verified? Aadhaar, PAN and bank details must show as verified under Manage → KYC.
- Has your previous employer filed your date of exit? Without it the old account cannot be transferred. If it is missing, use Manage → Mark Exit to file it yourself two months after leaving.
If any of these fail, fix them first. A transfer request submitted with incomplete KYC gets rejected and you start over.
How to file the transfer
- Log in at unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in with your UAN and password.
- Go to Online Services → One Member–One EPF Account (Transfer Request).
- Verify your personal details and the current employer’s PF account shown on screen.
- Click Get Details to list your previous employment PF accounts.
- Follow the transfer route shown for your case; employer attestation has been removed for most online transfer claims.
- Select the old account and click Get OTP, sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Enter the OTP and submit. Download the generated Form 13 PDF for your records.
What happens next
Track the request in the member portal. Most cases no longer require employer approval; exceptions follow the route shown.
Once complete, the transferred amount appears in your current passbook as a single credit, and your service history shows both periods. Check the passbook after a few days to confirm both the employee and employer shares moved, not just one.
Common problems
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Old account not showing | Date of exit not filed, or old account under a different UAN | Mark exit yourself; if a second UAN exists, request a UAN merge |
| Two UANs | A new UAN was created at the new job | Report it to EPFO through the grievance portal; the old UAN is deactivated and linked |
| Employer not approving | HR inaction | Switch attestation to the other employer and refile, or raise a grievance |
| Name mismatch across employers | Different spellings on records | Correct via Manage → Modify Basic Details before refiling |
| Transfer done but pension years missing | EPS portion handled separately | Check the pension passbook; raise a grievance if EPS service is not reflected |
Do not forget the pension part
EPF and EPS are separate. The transfer request moves both, but EPS service years are what determine your eventual pension, and they occasionally do not reflect correctly. After the transfer completes, verify that your total service period shows correctly. If you are leaving India or moving out of covered employment, ask for a Scheme Certificate instead, which preserves your pension years for the future.
For tracking issues, see our guide on EPF claim status and why claims get rejected, and on checking your EPF balance.
Frequently asked questions
Is transfer automatic when I change jobs?
Check your passbook and transfer status first. Do not assume every job change requires a fresh manual request; submit one if the balance has not transferred and the portal requires it.
Can I transfer if I have already withdrawn?
No. Once withdrawn, the account is settled and there is nothing to transfer.
How many old accounts can I transfer?
All of them, though you file one request per account. Do them one at a time and let each complete before starting the next.
Does transferring affect my interest?
No. The balance continues earning interest through the transfer.
Last updated September 2026. EPFO processes and portal menus change periodically; verify on epfindia.gov.in. General information, not financial advice.
Sources
Checked against: Ministry of Labour — EPFO service reforms. Rules, fees and rates change — check the official page before you act on anything here.
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