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How To Withdraw Pension Contribution Online

How to Withdraw EPF Contribution?

Learn about EPF withdrawal in online and offline modes, eligibility rules, necessary documents, withdrawal limits, and taxation rules

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-07-31

896 Views

11 minutes read

EPF is a mandatory retirement savings scheme for professionals of private and public sector companies with 20 or more employees. It falls under the EPF Scheme, 2026, that is notified under the Code on Social Security, 2020, and is managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).  A portion of EPF contribution goes towards funding the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), which provides pension benefits once you retire.

The amount of money needed after retirement can vary depending on a person's lifestyle, fixed commitments, and health. Employee Provident Fund (EPF) plays a vital role in retirement planning. The money in the provident fund can be used to purchase an annuity or taken as a lump sum upon retirement.

In this blog, we will discuss what is pension contribution in EPF, how to withdraw pension contributions from EPF, and detailed EPF withdrawal rules.

Key Takeaways

  •  
  • Rules for EPF withdrawal vary for purchasing a home, medical requirements, and even weddings. Know what your rights are

  • Don't let delays and paperwork slow you down; learn how online EPF withdrawals can be speedy and seamless

  • Understand the tax rules and how the timing of your EPF withdrawal can save you money

  • Learn a step-by-step guide for claiming EPF benefits by the nominee, in case of the policyholder’s death

What Are EPF Pension Withdrawal Rules?

The following are some of the EPF pension withdrawal rules that you should remember if you are looking for the answer to how to withdraw PF:

  1. PF withdrawal is not allowed if the employee is in active employment, except for medical emergencies, education, and the purchase of a house. However, withdrawals for such reasons are allowed only after a minimum period of continuous service, which differs depending on the reason for withdrawal.

  2. If an individual has not worked for at least a month, they may withdraw up to 75% of the PF funds, and if they have not worked for two months or more, they may withdraw the entire amount.

  3. Submitting Form 121 (previously called Form 15H/Form 15G) can help prevent the TDS deduction, provided the individual meets the eligibility criteria of having total income below the set taxable limit.

  4. Within five years of opening an EPF account, if a person wishes to withdraw  ₹30,000 or more from the corpus, a TDS of 10% (if the person has a valid PAN Card) or 30% (if the person does not) will be charged.

    Partial withdrawal against PF savings now just requires 12 months of continuous service under the EPF Scheme 2026. These are provided as PF advances and not loans, where the member simply needs to withdraw their accumulated funds, with no repayment or interest involved. 

  5. When a person changes jobs, they are not obliged to transfer the balance from their previous PF account to their new one. The money can be easily transferred if the necessary forms have been filed and your UAN is active.

  6. In case of death of an EPF member, the entire accumulated balance, along with any applicable benefit, is paid to the nominee or the legal heir, with no minimum service requirement.

When Can EPF be Withdrawn?

An employee cannot withdraw their EPF contribution as and when they want. There are certain situations under which EPF withdrawal is allowed.

Conditions Allowed for EPF Withdrawal

Tenure of the Employee’s Service

Employee’s Service Limitations (If Any)

Buying or construction of a house

Continuous service of 5 years


Only the PF account holder or their spouse can apply for withdrawal

Medical emergency

No minimum service year required

PF account holder, their parents, spouse, or children can apply

Repayment of home loan

Continuous service of 3 years


Only the PF account holder or their spouse can apply


Home renovation

Continuous service of 5 years from the date of completion of the construction


Only the PF account holder or their spouse can apply

Wedding

Continuous service of 7 years


Only the PF account holder, their siblings, and/or their children can apply for withdrawal

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Who is Eligible to Withdraw Contribution From EPF?

Although employees generally withdraw the corpus post-retirement, they still have the option to withdraw it in case of emergencies. But certain eligibility conditions must be met to withdraw the contribution.

Listed below are the eligibility criteria for withdrawing EPF:

  • Before one year of retirement, an employee can withdraw 90% of their corpus.

  • After one month of unemployment, an employee can withdraw 75% of the corpus, and the remaining corpus will be transferred to the new EPF upon re-employment. In case they have been unemployed for two months, the entire amount can be withdrawn at once. 

  • Employees should have an active UAN, with their bank details, Aadhaar, and PAN linked to it.

How to Withdraw Employee Provident Fund (EPF)?

Employee Provident Fund (EPF) can be withdrawn both online and offline. However, you can only choose the online mode of EPF withdrawal if your Aadhaar is linked to your UAN.

Let us discuss both the processes of withdrawal: offline and online.

How to Withdraw EPF Offline?

For people who prefer to apply without online verification, EPF can be withdrawn in offline mode, through the steps given below:

Step 1: Download the composite claim form (Aadhaar or Non-Aadhaar ) by visiting the EPF website

Step 2: Users applying through the Composite Claim Form must provide their bank account details and link their Aadhaar number with their primary account number

Note: Activation will be performed through the portal

Step 3: Users applying through the Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar ) need not undergo Aadhaar seeding

Step 4: Submit the form to the jurisdictional EPF Office after filling in the details

Do you know

Did You Know?

Under the 2026 EPF Scheme, the mandatory contribution from employee and employer has been capped at ₹1,800/month
 

Source: Livemint

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How to Withdraw EPF Online?

In case you are looking at a hassle-free paperless experience, EPF can be withdrawn through the online mode by following these steps: 

Step 1: Visit the member e-Sewa portal and log in with your UAN and password

Step 2: Choose a claim form available under the “Online Services” option

Step 3: Provide the bank account number (last 4 digits) linked with your UAN and verify the details

Step 4: Click on “Proceed for Online Claim” and select the reason from the drop-down list

Step 5: Enter the required amount, upload all the necessary documents, and provide the address

Step 6: Click on the “Get Aadhaar OTP” option and then enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number to successfully submit the claim

What are the Benefits of Withdrawing EPF Online?

Withdrawing EPF online is a faster process, and it significantly reduces the paperwork involved in the offline process. There are other benefits for online withdrawals, which have been discussed here: 

  • Less Processing Time: Most claims get credited within 15-20 days of application, though eligible claims up to ₹5 lakh can be settled even faster, within 72 hours, under the enhanced auto-settlement system of EPFO.
  • Easy Withdrawal Process: As the entire process is online, you do not have to step out of the comfort of your home. Also, less paperwork is involved when you apply for it online, along with not making a visit to your previous employer for verification.
  • Real-Time Tracking: Once the form is submitted, the online claim can be directly tracked through the member e-Sewa portal. It gives you the visibility on claim status at each stage instead of doing continuous follow-up by visiting the EPF office. 
  • Fewer Errors and Rejections: The online system auto-validates information such as UAN, linked bank account, and Aadhaar details, before final submission. It reduces the occurrence of claim rejections either due to missing or mismatched information, that is quite common in offline forms submitted. 
  • Paperless Secure Transactions: As the claim gets authenticated through Aadhaar-linked OTP, the online process is paperless as well as fully secure. This reduces the risk of documents getting lost due to mishandling, which can delay the process. 
  • No Employer Dependency: For online withdrawals, with KYC details fully verified, there is no requirement of employer attestation. This resolves the most common dilemma faced by the employees, where they have to wait around for the approval from employees, causing a further delay in withdrawal.

What are the Documents Required to Withdraw EPF?

To withdraw EPF, you need to submit the following documents:

  • An attested copy of the applicant’s KYC documents, which can be any one of the following: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License

  • A cancelled cheque, updated bank passbook or any other document that can be used to verify the applicant’s bank account details

  • ITR Form 2 and ITR Form 3 are required if the employee withdraws the EPF before 5 years of continuous employment

  • Bank account statement

  • A ₹1 revenue stamp if you opt to receive the amount in your bank account by means of a check rather than a direct bank transfer

  • A duly filled EPF claim form

What is the Limit of EPF Withdrawal?

If you decide to withdraw from your EPF account before your retirement, there are certain limitations. During certain exigencies, you will be allowed to withdraw some portion of the EPF. Only after retirement will you be able to withdraw the entire corpus.

Below is the EPF withdrawal limit in certain situations:

Situations When You Can Withdraw EPF

EPF Withdrawal Limit

Medical Emergency

6 months’ basic salary along with  Dearness Allowance (DA) or the employee’s contribution with interest,whichever is lower 

Wedding

50% of the total EPF contributed till date, along with accumulated interest

Repayment of Home Loan

Up to 90% of the EPF contribution

Home Renovation


12 months’ basic salary along with DA or the employee’s contribution with interest, whichever is lower


Unemployment or Job Loss

75% of the EPF contribution after 1 month of unemployment


25% of the EPF contribution after 2 months of unemployment

Retirement

Total corpus

Can You Withdraw EPF Contribution Without an Aadhaar Card? 

Yes. You can withdraw your EPF contribution without an Aadhaar card, but you will need to provide your PAN number, bank account number, and IFSC code to do so. The form will also need the employer attestation before the final submission you make.

The general steps are:

  • Provide your PF number or the UAN

  • Fill out the Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar) and mention the PF number 

  • Get the form attested by the employer

  • Attach 2 copies of Form 121 (previously called Form 15G or 15H), if your total EPF service is less than 5 years and you want to avoid tax deductiont

How to Withdraw EPF for a Deceased Person?

If an individual has passed away during the tenure of their service, the nominee can make a claim. The process is quite straightforward if the nominee details are updated in advance.

They just need o follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Step 1: Visit the EPF website and choose the “Death Claim Filing by Beneficiary” option

  • Step 2: Enter the details such as UAN, name of the nominee, date of birth, and Aadhaar details

  • Step 3: Click on “Authorised Pin” and an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number of the nominee

  • Step 4: Enter the OTP to complete the process and submit the death claim

What are the Taxation Rules on EPF Withdrawal?

The portion of salary that is contributed towards EPF is completely tax-free. However, whenever you withdraw an amount from your EPF, it is liable for tax deduction. The amount of tax that will be deducted depends on the service tenure of the employee at the time of withdrawal.

Below is a detailed table on the taxation rules of withdrawing EPF:

EPF Withdrawal Condition

Taxation Rules

Withdrawal of more than ₹.50,000 before completing 5 years of continuous service

10% TDS is applicable if PAN is provided. Or else, 30% TDS plus tax will be applicable


If you provide Form 121 (previously called Form 15G/15H), no TDS will be deducted, as per eligibility


Withdrawal of EPF after completing 5 years of continuous service

TDS is not applicable


Transferring funds from EPF to NPS


TDS is not applicable


Withdrawal of EPF when the employee doesn’t have 5 years of continuous service

Employer’s contribution and interest are taxable; employee’s contribution loses Section 123 (previously called Section 80C) benefit

Conclusion

Once you understand the rules for withdrawing EPF, starting with eligibility, documents required, and taxation, the process tends to become hassle-free. It will also help you avoid unnecessary deductions and delays. Hence, staying informed about the rules will also help you your retirement corpus while avoiding unnecessary penalties that may be charged. Planning it all out, will help you secure the financial well-being of yourself and your family. 

Glossary:

  1. Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhaar): EPF Form for members whose bank details/ Aadhaar is not linked to UAN, or have inactivated UAN
  2. Form 121 (previously called Form 15G/15H): Self-declaration form submitted to prevent TDS for EPF withdrawal
  3. UAN: A unique 12-digit number that gets allotted to employees contributing to EPF
  4. Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF): Government-backed retirement savings plan, allowing additional contributions by salaried employees
  5. KYC (Know Your Customer): The mandatory verification and identification process used to authenticate a customer’s identity
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The time taken for the claims to be cleared depends on the mode of application chosen by the applicant. If the applicant has claimed the withdrawal online, it may take up to 3 working days. However, with an offline mode of application, the settlement may take up to 20 days.

Yes. You can increase the amount that you are contributing towards your EPF up to 100% of your basic pay. But such contribution goes to the Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF).

Withdrawing EPF before retirement comes with certain conditions and restrictions.Below are some situations  when you can withdraw EPF, along with the number of times each type of withdrawal is permitted: 

Withdrawal Conditions

Number of Times you can Withdraw EPF

Marriage

5 times

Buy a land/Construction of house

5 times

Medical emergency

No defined limit

Funding post-matriculation education

10 times

No. You no longer need your employer’s permission for partial or complete withdrawal from your EPF corpus if you are making online withdrawals. If withdrawals are processed offline using the Non-Aadhaar Composite Claim Form, employer attestation is required.

Under the EPF Scheme, 2026,  you can withdraw the entire PF amount at the age of 55. Is PF withdrawal taxable for NRIs?

Depending on the PF account term, tax laws, and other considerations, NRIs can be required to pay tax on PF withdrawals. Cess and surcharge will be applied to the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) for non-resident members of EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation).

 

If a PF account holder has lost their job and has been unemployed for more than a month, they may be eligible to withdraw up to 75% of the total amount accrued. In addition, this clause permits the account holder to withdraw the remaining 25% if the unemployment period exceeds two months.

A person can keep their membership active even after they leave the establishment. Nevertheless, a PF account will not accrue interest after three consecutive years of no contributions being made.

The retiree doesn't need to open a different pension account. The pension may be credited to the pensioner's current or savings account at any branch of the bank that they have chosen.

The person needs to be a member of EPFO. You must be at least 50 years old to receive an early pension, and you must be 58 years old to receive a regular pension. To be eligible for EPS benefits, you must serve for at least ten years.

Pension contribution under EPF can be withdrawn under specific criteria. If you have less than 10 years of service left, it can be withdrawn as a lump sum using Form 10C. In case 10 year service has been completed, you become eligible for a monthly pension, which can be claimed through Form 10D.

In case you want to withdraw EPF pension contribution as a lump sum, it can be applied through the Form 10C, if you have less than 10 years of service left. If the claim is to be made for the monthly pension, you need to submit the Form 10D, given that you have 10 years of service left, and have reached the age of 50-58 years.

Yes, it is possible to withdraw a part of the pension or th full amount before retirement, but it depends on the rules under the pension scheme you are making a contribution. The withdrawal scheme is different for the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), and the National Pension System (NPS)

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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