New Delhi, Feb 25: In a move that promises relief to millions of workers across the country, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced an aggressive new initiative to identify and transfer “unclaimed” balances back to their rightful owners. For years, billions of rupees have sat idle in “inoperative accounts”—often the result of employees changing jobs, failing to merge their Universal Account Numbers (UAN), or simply losing track of old deposits from early in their careers.
Current estimates suggest that the total amount lying in unclaimed or inoperative accounts has swelled significantly. While these accounts continue to earn interest for a period, they eventually stop accruing returns if left untouched for over 36 months after retirement or permanent settlement abroad. To combat this, the EPFO’s new directive aims to automate consolidation by using Aadhaar-linked data to trigger transfers between old and current UANs. They are also enhancing digital outreach through targeted alerts and streamlining the KYC update process for beneficiaries or their legal heirs.
The primary culprit behind these “lost” funds is often a lack of awareness during job transitions. Many employees fail to initiate a transfer request when moving to a new firm, leading to multiple fragmented accounts. A senior official from the Ministry of Labour and Employment noted that with the integration of Aadhaar and the digitisation of records, the goal is to ensure every rupee earned by a worker is accessible to them, finally breaking down the wall between subscribers and their forgotten savings.
Subscribers who suspect they have forgotten balances can now log into the Member e-Sewa Portal using their UAN and password. By navigating to the ‘One Member – One EPF Account’ tab, users can view multiple accounts linked to their identity. It is crucial to verify that KYC status—including Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details—is “Verified” before submitting a digital transfer claim to move old funds into an active account.
Looking ahead, the EPFO has instructed its regional offices to conduct “Nidhi Aapke Samaksh” (EPFO at your doorstep) camps to assist those who may not be digitally literate. This initiative is expected to clear a massive backlog of claims and inject much-needed liquidity back into the hands of the Indian workforce.
