EPFO: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization ( EPFO) has changed several rules for the year 2025. The new rules relate to EPFO 3.0, reducing final PF settlement rejections, and auto-claim settlement . Withdrawing and claiming PF funds has become easier than ever. EPF funds will now be credited to bank accounts without filling out a form. In the coming year, PF funds will also be available for ATM withdrawals.
PF withdrawal rules
Earlier, there were 13 different categories for partial withdrawal, which have now been reduced to three categories.
Essential Needs – for illness, education and marriage
In certain circumstances, members will no longer be required to provide a category. Previously, a reason was required, which often resulted in claims being rejected.
Members can now withdraw 100% of their PF balance, including both employee and employer contributions. Withdrawals will be permitted up to 10 times for education and up to 5 times for marriage. Furthermore , a minimum service period of 12 months has been made mandatory for all partial withdrawals, making the rules much simpler.
PF will be automatically transferred on changing jobs.
EPF members will no longer need to transfer their PF by filling Form 13. When an employee joins a new job and the new employer updates their joining date, the PF transfer will happen automatically.
The reason for this is the Universal Account Number (UAN), which is a permanent PF identification number for every employee . If your UAN is active, KYC is complete, and bank details are linked, PF will be automatically transferred as soon as you receive your first salary in your new job. Previously, this process was manual and required approval from your previous employer.
EPFO 3.0: New time for digital services
EPFO is now launching EPFO 3.0 version, in which many digital facilities are being added.
Auto-claim settlement
ATM and UPI withdrawals will be available. There will be an improved online portal and mobile interface. The online correction system will be enabled with OTP verification. This will allow members to make corrections to their name, date of birth, or other information online, a process that was previously time-consuming.
Relief in final PF settlement
The EPFO has now implemented a part-payment system. Previously, if the employer failed to contribute for a period, the entire claim was rejected. Now, in such a situation, a portion of the claim will be released , and the remaining payment can be made later without submitting a new application . The EPFO has directed that such part-payment cases be reviewed monthly to ensure timely disbursement of the remaining amount.
Auto-claim settlement limit increased to Rs 5 lakh
Now, the auto-settlement of PF advance claims has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. This means that claims up to this limit will be settled within 72 hours without any manual scrutiny.
EPFO has also introduced several other changes, including Passbook Lite and a single login portal . Annexure K transfer certificates will be easily accessible. The Employees Enrolment Campaign 2025 began on November 1. Its goal is to enroll employees who were excluded by employers between 2017 and 2025 in PF coverage . This will benefit 80 million members nationwide .
