How to Update EPF Nominee Online?

Nomination transfers the benefits of EPF account holder’s PF contribution, interest, EDLI and pension to the nominee on the unfortunate demise of the account holder. Once the nomination is done, EPF members can update or change the nomination online.

Pre-requisites for EPFO Nominee Update

The members need to have the following before updating or changing their EPF nominee:

• Activated and Aadhaar-linked UAN (Universal Account Number)
• Mobile number linked with Aadhaar 
• Updated EPF account profile with address and photograph
• Scanned photo of the nominee
• Aadhaar number of the nominee
• Bank account number with IFSC and address of the nominee

How to Update/Change EPF Nominee Online?

The process to update the EPF nominee online is the same as the process to add e-nomination. When a new nomination is added in EPF, it will override the existing nomination. Thus, if a member has already added his spouse as the nominee and also wants to add his child, then he must add both their details again by following the e-nomination process.

If a member wants to change the nominee or update any details of the existing nominee, then the member need not delete the old nomination. He/she can directly add details of the new nominee or update details of the already existing nominee and complete the process.

Every time a member wants to add a nominee, then he/she needs to add the previous nominee details again with the new nominee details to keep both the persons as nominees.

The steps to update EPF nomination or make a new nomination are as follows: 

1. Visit the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.
2. Login by entering the UAN, password, and captcha and click on the ‘Sign in’ button.
3. Select the ‘E-nomination’ option under the ‘Manage’ tab.
4. Click on the ‘Enter new nomination’ option on the next page.
5. The ‘Profile’ details will appear on the screen. Click on the ‘Proceed’ button.
6. Select ‘Yes’ under the ‘Family Declaration’ section to add a new nominee or update the details of the previously existing nominee. If you are appointing a nominee who is not a family, then you will have to update the amount to be settled with the nominee along with specific information required.
7. Provide the nominee details, i.e. the Aadhaar number, name,  gender, date of birth, relation, bank account details, and guardian (if the nominee is a minor), and upload the photo of the nominee. Click on the ‘Save Family Details’ option. Click on ‘Add now’ when more than one nominee is to be added and enter their details.
8. Enter the total amount of shares for the added nominees and click on the ‘Save EPF Nomination’ button.
9. Click on the ‘e-Sign’ option under the ‘Pending Nomination’ section.
10. A dialogue box will appear when the eSign is not registered. Click on the ‘Proceed’ button.
11. A new page will open. Enter the Aadhaar virtual ID and click on the ‘Verify’ button.
12. Tick/select the box to provide your consent for e-KYC services data from Aadhaar.
13. Enter your Aadhaar or Virtual ID and click on the ‘Get OTP’ button. The OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number. Enter the OTP, select the check box to give your consent and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
14. Upon verification of the OTP, the new nominee will be registered with the EPFO. The ‘Nomination History’ can be viewed by clicking on the ‘E-nomination’ option under the ‘Manage’ tab. The ‘Nomination History’ will show the status of the newly added or updated nominee details as ‘Nomination Successful’. It will show all the previous nomination details also. However, only the first nomination is valid as it overrides all other previous nominations.

Note: Only the spouse, children and parents are considered as family. Thus, if a member wants to add his/her siblings (brother or sister) as nominees, he/she should select the ‘No’ option under the ‘Having Family’ section.

Who can be a Nominee?

According to Employee Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 the family is defined as follows:

Family of an EPF Male Member

• Wife
• His children (married or unmarried)
• Dependent parents
• Deceased son’ widow or children

Family of an EPF Female Member

• Her husband
• Her children
• Her dependent parents
• Dependent parent of the husband
• Deceased son’s wife or children

In case of a divorce, the ex-spouse will cease to be a family member as per EPFO rules. In that case, you can update the nomination status to correctly reflect your family in EPFO records.

Final Word

EPF member can easily make or update a nomination for his/her EPF fund online. To complete the nomination, a member need not visit the EPF office or get the employer's approval. However, a member can make or update an EPF nomination online only when the UAN is linked with Aadhaar.