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In India’s employee benefits system, some of the most important financial safeguards work quietly in the background. EPF Form 10C is one of them. It plays a key role when an employee leaves a job, allowing them either to withdraw certain pension benefits or to preserve those benefits for the future through a Scheme Certificate. At a time when changing jobs has become common, this form ensures that your pension rights are not lost along the way.
Managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Form 10C helps employees stay connected to their long-term retirement security. Understanding how Form 10C works can help you make informed decisions. This guide explains its meaning, benefits, eligibility, and the steps to file it so you can access your EPS benefits smoothly.
Key Takeaways
EPF Form 10C allows employees to claim or preserve benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS)
It is commonly used when changing jobs, withdrawing pension contributions, or obtaining a scheme certificate
Employees with less than 10 years of service can withdraw EPS funds, subject to eligibility conditions
A scheme certificate helps carry forward service history to maximise future pension benefits
The form can be filed online through the EPFO portal or submitted offline with the required documents
What is EPF Form 10C?
EPF (Employee Provident Fund) is one of the most popular retirement savings schemes for salaried employees. It is used by employees to claim benefits under the pension scheme when they leave a job covered by the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
It is issued and processed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and is specifically related to the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS).
Your employer’s EPF contribution is deposited in two parts: EPF and EPS (Employee Pension Scheme). An
EPS is a pension account that receives a contribution from your employer only. Form 10C in EPFO is a form that you will use to receive your benefits from the EPS account. For this, you can either visit the nearest EPFO branch or visit their website to fill out the form online.
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When to Use Form 10C?
You can use Form 10C to either withdraw the pension amount or commute your pension to the next employer. Here are the main situations when Form 10C is used:
When you leave your job before completing 10 years of service: If your total service is less than 10 years, you can use Form 10C to withdraw your pension amount (Withdrawal Benefit).
When you want a Scheme Certificate: Instead of withdrawing, you can apply for a Scheme Certificate. This helps you carry forward your pension service to your next job and use it later for pension benefits.
When you leave a job but plan to work again: If you expect to join another EPF-covered organisation in the future, using Form 10C to get a Scheme Certificate helps protect your pension eligibility.
When an employee reaches age 58 but has less than 10 years of service: In this case, the employee can use Form 10C to claim withdrawal benefits since they are not eligible for a monthly pension.
What is the Eligibility for Form 10C in EPFO?
Eligibility for Form 10C depends on your service tenure, age, and employment status at the time of exit. The categories below outline the different scenarios under which members or their families can apply.
Category 1:
Members who left employment before completing 10 years of service
Members who reached 58 years of age but had not completed 10 years of service
Category 2:
Members who completed 10 years of service but are below 50 years at the time of applying
Members aged between 50 and 58 who choose not to opt for a reduced pension
Category 3: Nominees, family members, or legal heirs of a member who passed away after turning 58 but before completing 10 years of service
How to Submit Form 10C Online?
Here’s a step-by-step process to submit Form 10C online:
Log in to your member account using your UAN (Universal Account Number)
Click on ‘Online Services’ on the menu and select ‘Claim Form 10C, 19 and 31’
The next page shows your member and KYC status. Click on ‘Proceed Online Claim’ on this page
Choose the type of claim you want to make:
Withdraw PF only
Withdraw Pension only
Fill out the online claim form 10C with the required details
Upon completion, you will receive an OTP at your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP on the website to start your withdrawal
You will receive an SMS with the status of your withdrawal, and the amount will be transferred directly to your bank account.
Did You Know?
You can submit Form 10C online using your UAN through the EPFO Member Portal, making EPS claims faster and reducing paperwork
You will need to submit the form through the employer, as the document needs signatures from both the employee and the employer. However, in the case where the employer no longer exists, you can get the form attested by a gazetted officer.
Submit the form along with the following documents at your nearest EPFO branch:
Blank passbook copy/cancelled cheque
Date of birth certificates of children when applying for the scheme certificate
Death certificate if the member is deceased
Succession certificate for the legal heirs of the member
₹1 stamp in case of applying for the withdrawal benefit through a bank
Key Benefits of EPF Form 10C
EPF Form 10C offers multiple advantages depending on your service tenure and eligibility, helping you either preserve or access your EPS benefits effectively.
Scheme Certificate: A Scheme Certificate is useful for employees who have completed 9.5 years or more of service but have not yet reached pension eligibility. Instead of withdrawing the pension amount, you can retain your EPS service record through this certificate, which helps you combine service periods later and claim a higher pension when you become eligible.
Withdrawal Benefit: If your total service is less than 10 years and you are below 50 years of age, you can opt to withdraw the accumulated EPS amount using Form 10C. However, this is allowed only if your EPS membership has been active for at least 180 days, and withdrawing means you forgo future pension benefits for that period.
Family Benefits: In case the member passes away before completing 10 years of service, the nominee or family members can submit Form 10C to claim the applicable EPS benefits. This ensures that the member’s pension contributions are not lost and provides financial support to dependents.
Conclusion
EPF Form 10C plays an important role in ensuring that your pension benefits remain secure and accessible when your employment situation changes. Whether you choose to withdraw eligible funds or preserve your service history through a scheme certificate, understanding how this form works helps you make decisions that align with your long-term financial security. Taking the time to file it correctly ensures that the savings built through your EPS contributions continue to support you or your family when they are needed most.
Glossary
EPS: A government-backed pension program providing retirement income from employer contributions to eligible EPF members
Scheme Certificate: A document issued by EPFO that preserves an employee’s pensionable service for future pension claims
UAN: A unique identification number assigned to EPF members to manage and track their provident fund accounts
Withdrawal Benefit: The option to withdraw accumulated EPS funds when eligibility conditions, such as service tenure, are met
EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation): The statutory body that administers EPF and EPS schemes and processes related claims
FAQs
PF Form 10C is used to claim benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, such as withdrawing eligible pension contributions or obtaining a scheme certificate to retain service history.
PF Claim Form 10C means an application submitted to the EPFO to access or preserve EPS benefits after leaving a job, depending on your service period and eligibility.
You should choose a scheme certificate if you plan to continue working in EPF-covered organisations, as it helps carry forward your pensionable service and increases future pension eligibility.
It is not mandatory, but filing Form 10C is recommended to either withdraw eligible benefits or preserve your EPS record for future claims.
No, EPF Form 10C is not always required after exiting a PF-covered organisation, but it is required if you want to claim or preserve your pension (EPS) benefits.
If you do not submit Form 10C, your EPS contributions remain unclaimed and may not be easily accessed or transferred later, potentially affecting your future pension benefits.
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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