If you are a salaried employee in India, a part of your salary goes into the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) every month, and your employer adds a matching contribution. Checking your PF balance regularly helps you make sure contributions are being deposited and lets you plan for big goals and retirement. Here are four easy ways to do it.
First, keep your UAN ready
Your Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit number that stays the same across all your jobs. You can find it on your salary slip or by asking your HR team. Before you can use most of the options below, you need to:
- Activate your UAN on the EPFO Member e-Sewa portal using your UAN, Aadhaar and the mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
- Link your KYC: Aadhaar, PAN and bank account should be seeded and approved by your employer.
- Register your mobile number with your UAN.
Method 1: EPFO member passbook portal
- Visit the official EPFO member passbook website (linked from epfindia.gov.in under "Services" and "For Employees").
- Log in with your UAN, password and the captcha. You may also need to enter an OTP sent to your registered mobile.
- Select the member ID of the employer you want to check.
- View or download your passbook. It shows employee share, employer share, pension contribution and interest credited.
The passbook is usually updated a few days after your employer files the monthly return.
Method 2: UMANG app
- Download the official UMANG app from the Play Store or App Store.
- Register with your mobile number.
- Search for EPFO and open "Employee Centric Services".
- Tap View Passbook, enter your UAN and the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
UMANG also lets you raise claims and track claim status from your phone.
Method 3: SMS
Send an SMS from your registered mobile number in this format:
EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899
Replace ENG with the first three letters of your preferred language (for example, TAM for Tamil or HIN for Hindi). You will receive your latest contribution and balance details by SMS. This works only if your UAN is activated and your KYC is linked.
Method 4: Missed call
Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. The call disconnects automatically and you receive an SMS with your PF details. This service is free, and your UAN must be linked with your bank account, Aadhaar and PAN.
Common problems and fixes
- Passbook not updating: your employer may not have filed the monthly return yet. Check again after a few days and, if it continues, speak to HR.
- Multiple member IDs: if you changed jobs, you may see several IDs. Transfer old balances online through the Member e-Sewa portal so everything sits under one account.
- Name or date of birth mismatch: request a correction online through the portal; your employer will need to approve it.
- Forgot password: use the "Forgot Password" option with your UAN and Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Stay safe
Use only official EPFO websites and the UMANG app. EPFO never asks for your password, OTP or bank details on phone calls or social media. Never share them with anyone claiming to help with withdrawals.
The bottom line
Activate your UAN, complete your KYC, and check your PF passbook every few months. It takes less than five minutes and ensures your retirement savings are on track.
