How To Find PF Account Number?

EPF, the government-backed retirement scheme, is essential for salaried individuals to secure their financial future after retirement. Each EPF account is assigned a PF account number, a unique identifier that enables employees to track PF contributions, withdrawals, and other transactions. Your PF account number plays a critical role in managing your PF balance effectively.

Key Highlights

Ways to Find Your PF Account Number:

• Your monthly pay slip usually contains your PF number.
• Log in to your UAN portal to view and manage your PF details.
• Visit your nearest EPFO office for assistance in retrieving the PF number.
• Request your current or previous employer for your PF account number.

What is PF Account Number?

The PF account number is a 22-digit alphanumeric identifier assigned by your employer to track your EPF account. It’s essential for checking your balance, managing contributions, and making withdrawals or claims. Employees typically receive their PF account number during employment. 

With the introduction of the Universal Account Number (UAN), it’s now easier to access and manage your PF details, as the UAN acts as a central link to all your PF accounts across different employers.
 

PF Number Format

A PF account number comprises both letters and digits. Here is an example of a PF account number and its structure. 

Let us consider a PF number as “MHMUM00127800000001313”. This number reveals the following information:

• The initial two letters in the number denote the state. For example, UP stands for Uttar Pradesh, KA for Karnataka, MH for Maharashtra, and so on
• The next three letters denote the regional PF office code.
• The first seven numbers show the establishment ID of your employer.
• The next three numbers stand for the extension code of an establishment ID.
• The last seven numbers indicate the actual EPF account number and remain specific to employees.

How to Know PF Account Number?

You can check your PF account number by:

• Checking Your Salary Slip 
• UMANG App
• Using the UAN Portal
• Visiting the EPFO Office
• Asking Your Employer

How to Find PF Account Number

In case your employer fails to inform your PF account number, you can follow the steps below to get the PF number:

By Checking Your Salary Slip 

• Usually, the EPF account number is mentioned on the salary slip of every employee. Hence, you can check your salary slip to find out your PF number.

By Asking Your Employer 

• You can enquire with the Human Resource (HR) Department of your organization or your employer to get the PF account number.

By Visiting the EPFO Office

• To collect the PF account number, you can also visit the EPFO office. Here, you must provide all the necessary details to receive the account number. Additionally, you must carry proof of identity and fill out the application form.

By UMANG App

• You can download the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New Age Governance) app from the Play Store and log in using your mobile number. 
• You can then verify all the details related to your PF account, including your PF account number, with different employers.

By Using the UAN Portal

• Every employee must know their UAN number. This will ease their process of getting the PF account number on the EPFO portal. You will be able to access all PF details, including your PF number, by logging into the EPFO portal.

Difference between UAN and PF Account Number

UAN & PF account numbers are two important yet different identifiers.  

PF Account Number:

• A 22-digit alphanumeric number.
• Assigned by the employer during employment.
• You can have multiple PF account numbers if you’ve worked with different employers.
• It is specific to each job or employer.

Universal Account Number (UAN):

• A 12-digit unique number issued by the EPFO.
• Remains unchanged throughout your career, regardless of how many employers you work for.
• Acts like an umbrella that links all your different PF account numbers.
• With your UAN, you can access and manage all PF accounts associated with your employment history.

EPFO Customer Care Toll-Free Number

To find your PF account number, you can call at toll free number  For any queries, grievances, or any other service related to your EPF account, you can contact the customer care toll-free number 18001-18005 from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM.

Why is it Important to Know Your PF Account Number?

EPF account numbers are an important component of an EPF scheme. Previously, employees were not allowed to borrow or move funds from one member ID to a new one unless and until they were issued an EPF number. However, the implementation of UAN has made this process simpler and easier. Now, the EPF account number acts as the primary identifier, while the UAN is the secondary identifier of EPF accounts.

Apart from this, every employee must know how to get the PF account number for these reasons:

• If you want to withdraw your EPF balance, your PF account number is mandatory.
• Once an employer provides you with the PF account number, you can find out your UAN number easily.
• If you want to check your EPF balance, you must enter the PF account number.
• Employees will be permitted to transfer their EPF balance from the former ID to their new one only if they have a PF account number.

Conclusion

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a vital source of retirement income, and understanding your Universal Account Number (UAN) is key to managing it. Knowing how to find your EPF number allows you to easily check your balance and withdraw funds when needed. It's important to familiarize yourself with your PF account number, as it simplifies withdrawals, especially after leaving your employer. Delaying this could complicate the process later.