How to Easily Check Your EPF Balance Online

In order to check your EPF balance, you need to keep your Universal Account Number (UAN) handy. The UAN is a unique 12-digit number provided by EPF to each employee contributing to the EPF. The UAN of an individual does not change with changing jobs and the EPFO automatically links new EPF accounts to the same UAN whenever you change jobs and open a new EPF account with the current employer.

Below is a step-by-step guide to check EPF balance of your accounts online via the EPF Members portal:

Step 1. Visit the official EPFO website. On the Homepage, you can find the e-passbook button as shown below:

Step 2. The e-passbook link will redirect you to the designated EPFO passbook portal where you can use your UAN and password to log-in to view the different EPFO Accounts linked to your UAN.

Step 3: After logging in, click on the “Member Passbook” button to view the list of different EPF Accounts linked to your UAN.

Step 4: Click on one of these accounts to view you EPF passbook which shows monthly contributions and interest earned, as well as key details such as Establishment ID, MemberID/Name, Date of Birth, UAN, etc., as shown below:

As you can see, the EPF passbook does not only show your EPF balance, you can also view the following:

• - Monthly contribution from you and your employer
• - EPS contributions
• - Interest credited
• - Any withdrawals or advances
• - Balance carried forward and more

Please ensure the following for easy online checking of EPF Account balance:

• Your UAN is active. If not, activate it by visiting the UAN portal and verifying your credentials
• Your KYC details are updated including Aadhaar, PAN, and updated bank details are linked to your UAN
• In case your EPF account is held with an exempt institution such as an EPF Trust you will not be able to view your EPF account balance through the EPFO website. In such cases, you have to log into a designated internal portal to check your EPF Account balance.

Besides using the online EPF portal, there are other easy methods to check your EPF balance using your phone without the need to use the Internet. Here’s how you can check your EPF balance using SMS and Missed Call from registered mobile number:

EPF balances are generally updated monthly, so that you can easily check that your employer is depositing the monthly contributions i.e. both employee and employer contributions into the account.

The treatment of interest payments in your EPF account is a bit different. EPF interest is credited annually at the end of the financial year. However, it reflects in your passbook only after the EPFO processes the transaction, which might take a few weeks after completion of the fiscal.

Knowing your updated EPF balance can help you in the following ways:

• - Track timely deposits by your employer
• - Ensure there are no discrepancies in the credit of your contributions
• - Plan for partial withdrawals during emergencies
• - Check interest credit at the end of each year

Knowing your EPF balance is important for financial planning for the future. It helps you stay aware of how much you have saved for retirement through EPS contributions and whether you are on track to meet your future goals. Regular checks can help you spot discrepancies, track employer contributions, and plan for EPF advances, in an emergency, if needed.

Other details in your EPF passbook can also be helpful during times of job change. You can ensure that the new employer links your existing UAN to the new EPF account which can help transfer the EPF balances from your previous accounts with minimal issues. Finally, knowing the EPF balance can also help you prepare for emergencies and short-term financial needs, such as higher education expenses, unexpected medical bills, or home renovations.