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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a series of digital upgrades to make provident fund management simpler for millions of subscribers. From checking passbook balances to account transfers and withdrawals, employees will now have smoother access to their PF details without facing the hassles of multiple logins or repeated visits to PF offices.

Direct access to Annexure K for smoother transfers

Until now, transferring a PF account after changing jobs involved multiple steps. Employees had to fill out Form 13, after which their previous employer generated a transfer certificate called Annexure K. This document was then sent to the new employer’s PF office.

Previously, employees had no direct access to this important certificate. They could only obtain a copy by raising an official request at the PF office, which often caused delays.

EPFO has now enabled employees to download Annexure K directly from the member portal in PDF format. With this change, subscribers can instantly check whether their PF balance and service period have been transferred accurately to the new account. This is particularly crucial for pension calculations under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), which comes into effect at retirement.

Experts welcome the move

Financial experts believe this move will significantly benefit employees.
Ketan Das, Manager (Strategy and Operations) at Fineright.in, said:

“This is a convenient step for subscribers. By downloading Annexure K themselves, employees can verify whether their PF balance and service history have been correctly transferred, without running from one PF office to another.”

However, challenges still remain in certain cases. According to Kuldeep Kumar, Partner at Mainstay Tax Advisors, issues may arise when employees move between exempted establishments (with private PF trusts) and unexempted establishments (where contributions are deposited with EPFO). Such transfers often require manual intervention, especially when they also involve a change of state.

‘Passbook Lite’ launched for quick PF access

To further simplify processes, EPFO has rolled out a ‘Passbook Lite’ feature on its member portal. Until now, employees had to log in separately for checking contributions, withdrawals, and transactions. This not only caused delays but also created password synchronization issues.

With the new feature, subscribers can now view a summarized version of their passbook directly on the portal. This includes details of contributions, withdrawals, and the current PF balance — all in one place.

The feature is expected to save time and reduce login-related complications for millions of employees who regularly check their PF contributions and balances.

Faster claim approvals

Another major reform is the delegation of approval powers. Earlier, many PF-related services — such as transfers, refunds, advances, and settlements — required clearance from higher authorities like Regional Provident Fund Commissioners (RPFCs) or Officers-in-Charge. This often led to delays in claim processing.

Now, Assistant PF Commissioners and junior-level officers have been given the authority to approve such claims. This change is expected to ensure faster resolution and quicker disbursement of claims, benefiting employees who need funds urgently.

A step toward employee convenience

EPFO’s latest initiatives — from allowing employees to download Annexure K online, introducing the Passbook Lite feature, to empowering junior officers for quicker claim approvals — reflect the organisation’s ongoing push towards digital transformation and employee-centric services.

While some complications remain in special cases, particularly with private PF trusts, the reforms mark a significant improvement for the majority of EPF subscribers. Employees will now enjoy greater transparency, reduced paperwork, and faster turnaround times for their PF-related requests.

With these steps, EPFO aims to create a more seamless experience for subscribers, ensuring that retirement savings remain secure and easily accessible throughout their careers.