With more than 69 million contributing members, the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), which is overseen by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, is essential to the social security of the country's organized labor force. In addition to overseeing a sizeable capital of more over ₹17 lakh crores, EPFO makes sure that members and their families have access to necessities like insurance, pensions, and provident funds. Pro Legal HR Payroll Labour Law Compliance Solution by ESI PF Consultant in Ahmedabad.
Essential Elements of the EPF Plan:
Required Contributions: Twelve percent of an employee's base pay plus dearness allowance must be contributed to the EPF by both employers and workers. This double contribution contributes to the development of a sizeable retirement fund.
Insurance and Pension Plans: Members and their families may benefit from extra financial security via the Employees' Pension Plan (EPS) and Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Plan (EDLI), which are features of the EPF plan.
Interest Rate: For F.Y. 24–25 (subject to change yearly), the EPF now provides an interest rate of 8.25%, which is credited to the member's account each year. There is no tax on the interest earned.
Every EPF member is given a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN), which stays the same throughout their employment and makes it easier to trace and manage their EPF accounts—even if they change employers and member IDs.
Tax Benefits: Up to ₹1.5 lakh in tax deductions are available for EPF contributions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. After five years of continuous service, the whole amount accrued, including interest, is also tax-exempt at the time of withdrawal.
Portability: Members may maintain their retirement savings by transferring the amount in their EPF account when they change employment.
Digital Services: Through the EPFO site, members may now access their accounts online, check their balances, and request withdrawals thanks to the organization's many digital services. Pro Legal HR Payroll Labour Law Compliance Solution by ESI PF Consultant in Ahmedabad.
Options for Withdrawal: Members may take their EPF funds out when they retire or in certain situations, such as when they become unemployed, have a medical emergency, or need money for school. Significant life events, such as marriage or the purchase of a property, are also eligible for partial withdrawals.
But would it be really easy for us to obtain these cash when we need them? Unexpected problems, such as missing employer payments or service overlaps, result in the rejection of one-third of claim applications submitted to EPFO. Furthermore, its withdrawal forms may be unclear. To prevent surprises when you need them, be wise and ask a question here to find out how much you may take from your PF!