Write News

EPFO: ₹9,300 Crore Unclaimed in 31 Lakh EPF Accounts: Here's How to Withdraw Your PF Money

Posted on 4th Jul 2026 11:54 am by rohit kumar

Thousands of crores of retirement savings are lying unclaimed in India despite the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) making the withdrawal process easier than ever. According to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query, nearly ₹9,330 crore remains unclaimed across 30.91 lakh inactive EPF accounts as of March 31, 2026.

 

The latest figures come even as the government rolls out the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026, aimed at simplifying PF rules and accelerating digital services for over eight crore EPFO subscribers.

 

₹9,330 Crore Still Waiting to Be Claimed

 

Every month, private-sector employees contribute 12% of their basic salary to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), with employers making an equal contribution. Over decades, these savings grow into substantial retirement funds.

 

However, many employees who changed jobs, retired, or lost track of their accounts never claimed their PF balance.

 

According to EPFO data:

 

Unclaimed PF amount: ₹9,330 crore

Inactive EPF accounts: 30.91 lakh

Status as of: March 31, 2026

 

The figures highlight that lakhs of workers are yet to claim money that legally belongs to them.

 

EPF Scheme 2026 Aims to Simplify Claims

 

The Ministry of Labour & Employment notified the EPF Scheme, 2026 on June 29, replacing the 74-year-old EPF Scheme, 1952.

 

The new framework focuses on:

 

Simplifying EPF regulations

Expanding digital services

Speeding up claim settlements

Making withdrawals easier through online platforms

 

Officials say subscribers can now submit claims within minutes using the EPFO portal or the UMANG mobile application.

 

Unclaimed PF Amount Declines, But Problem Persists

 

The RTI data also shows some improvement over the past year.

 

EPFO Data Comparison

Year                    Inactive Accounts      UnclaimedAmount

March 31, 2025        31.83 lakh                 ₹10,181 crore

March 31, 2026        30.91 lakh                 ₹9,330 crore

 

During the year:

 

Nearly 92,000 inactive accounts were reactivated.

Around ₹851 crore was successfully claimed.

 

Despite the progress, almost 31 lakh accounts still hold unclaimed retirement savings.

 

How to Withdraw Your EPF Money Online

 

EPFO allows members to submit claims online through the official portal.

 

Step-by-Step EPF Withdrawal Process

Visit the EPFO Member Portal and log in using your UAN and password.

Go to Online Services and click Claim.

Verify your bank account linked with your UAN.

Accept the declaration and proceed.

Select the appropriate withdrawal form:

Form 19 – Final EPF Settlement

Form 10C – Pension Withdrawal

Form 31 – Partial PF Withdrawal

Fill in the required details.

Upload necessary documents, if applicable.

Verify using the Aadhaar-linked OTP.

Submit the claim.

 

Once approved, the amount is transferred directly to the registered bank account.

 

How to Claim PF Through the UMANG App

 

Subscribers can also withdraw their PF using the UMANG app.

 

Steps:

Download and register on the UMANG App.

Search for EPFO.

Select EPFO Raise Claim.

Log in using your UAN and OTP.

Select the EPF account.

Select the appropriate withdrawal option.

Enter the withdrawal amount.

Complete Aadhaar OTP verification.

Submit the claim.

Why You Should Check Your EPF Account

 

Many employees lose track of old EPF accounts after switching jobs or retiring. Experts advise subscribers to regularly review their EPF passbook and ensure:

 

UAN is active.

Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are correctly linked.

KYC is updated.

Old EPF accounts are merged with the current account.

 

Claiming dormant EPF savings not only secures your retirement corpus but also prevents your money from remaining idle for years.

1 0 Tweet