
Know your Universal Account Number (UAN) status:
The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has issued around 41.7 million Universal Account Numbers (UANs). Also, the EPFO is expected to launch its scheme on making Provident Fund numbers portable on 23rd,September 2014.
So, it is advisable to know – What is UAN? How to activate UAN registration? What is the procedure to update KYC on UAN? What are the facilities available on UAN member portal?
UAN is a unique identification number issued by EPFO to its members. A universal number is generated for each of the PF (Provident Fund) Account Number at EPFO. This UAN will act as an umbrella for the multiple 'Member Ids' allotted to the same individual (Employee or EPF Account holder).
What are Member-IDs ?
Let's say you have been working for Infosys for the last 2 years. You might be contributing to EPF through your EPF A/C. EPFO treats Infosys as an 'Establishment' and 'You' as a 'Member' of EPFO. Since you are a member of EPFO, Infosys would have created a 'Member-Id' through which you contribute to your EPF a/c. So, Member-ID is nothing but your EPF a/c number.
EPFO will generate 'UAN' and shares it with Infosys. You have to collect UAN from your employer. Your existing member-id will be linked with your UAN.
Next year, if you shift to a different company then UAN remains the same. But, your new company will provide another 'Member Id.' This is linked to your UAN. You just need to disclose your UAN/previous member-id to the new employer through Form-11. Like this, UAN will act as an umbrella for the multiple 'Member Ids' allotted to the same individual.
Once you collect UAN and Member-Id from your employer, you need to activate your UAN.
You may now login to the UAN member portal anytime using the username and password.
If you are employed for the first time then your Employer will collect the completed Form-11 and KYC documents from you. These documents are submitted to EPFO by the employer. Your employer will confirm these details with EPFO. Once it is approved by the employer, this information will be pushed to EPFO for UAN allotment/linkage accordingly.
The total members of EPFO are estimated to be 11.78 crore as on March 31, 2014. UAN member portal is user-friendly and will be beneficial to all the members.