Businesses with 20 or more employees must, by law, register with the Employee’s Provident Fund Organization, consistent with the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952. Employees must contribute 12 per cent of their base income to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) plan.

Employers provide every EPFO member with a twelve-digit Number called a Universal Account Number (UAN), which makes it easier for workers to access and manage information about their EPF accounts. When workers switch employers, they’ll have different Member Identification Numbers (Member ID), but their UAN stays the same. Now, let us learn about how to activate the UAN number.

What is a UAN?

Every employee who makes EPF contributions receives a 12-digit account number known as Universal Account Number or UAN. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) generates and distributes it, and the Ministry of Labor and Employment of the government of India authenticates it. No matter how many jobs an individual changes throughout life, their UAN never changes.

When an employee changes jobs, the EPFO issues a replacement member ID or EPF Account linked to the UAN. By giving UAN to the new employer. The link to UAN is always with the member ID, and the UAN will function as a catch-all member ID for the various member IDs given by multiple businesses.

How to activate UAN number from your employer?

Generally, your employer will assign you a Universal Account Number under the EPFO. Some employers also publish the UAN on the pay remainders using the UAN number or Member ID.

Still, you’ll get a UAN number online at the EPFO website. If your business is unfit to produce you with your Universal Account Number, you’ve got to try to do the following.

• Step 1: Head to the EPF portal to pierce the UAN gate.
• Step 2: Attend the” Know your UAN” link and click on it. The posterior runner will appear.
• Step 3: Give your registered mobile number and the captcha for verification. Click the “Request OTP” button at the moment.
• Step 4: It will direct you to add your name, DOB, PAN, Aadhaar, member ID and a captcha for verification. Click on the (Show my UAN button).
• Step 5: You will receive a message on your cell phone. Click the “Validate OTP and produce UAN” button after entering the OTP.
• Step 6: It will add your mobile number to your Universal Account Number.

Needed Documents to Open UAN

If you recently started working for your first registered company, you will need the following to obtain your Universal Account Number.

• The account information includes the account number, IFSC code, and branch name.
• Any scannable public identity card, such as a driving licence, passport, namer ID, Aadhaar, and SSLC Book, qualifies as ID proof.
• Any IDs listed above, as long as it has your current address, including a recent utility bill in your name, a rental or lease agreement, a ration card, or any other document.
• UAN should be connected to your PAN
• Aadhaar card
• ESIC cards

How can I use my UAN to activate and log in to the EPFO member gate?

Use the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization( EPFO) online to activate your UAN if you’ve no way checked your PF balance.

• Step 1: Visit the EPFO homepage and select “For employees” from the list of services on the dashboard.
• Step 2: Select Member UAN/ Online services under Services. You will eventually reach the UAN gate.
• Step 3: Select “Activate UAN” from the vital links list.
• Step 4: Enter the captcha characters, your UAN, member ID, PAN, or Aadhaar number, and your name, DOB, mobile number, and email address (if available). It is necessary to click the Get authorisation PIN button, and it will deliver the PIN to your registered mobile number.
• Step 5: After selecting “I Agree” beneath the disclaimer option, input the OTP you just received on your mobile device and click “Validate OTP and Activate UAN.” When your UAN is active on the cellphone number you’ve provided as your registration, you’ll get a password for your account.

How are Aadhaar and UAN Linked?

You must enter your data in UAN after logging into your EPF account. To connect your UAN to Aadhaar, take the following actions:

Online procedure

• Step 1: Enter the EPFO portal, select “For Employees”, then click “UAN Member e-Sewa.”
• Step 2: To sign in to the portal, enter your UAN, password, and captcha.
• Step 3: Click “KYC” on the top panel’s “Manage” tab.
• Step 4: To save the information, choose the Aadhaar checkbox, then input your 12-digit Aadhaar number and name.
• Step 5: Your information will appear in the “Pending KYC” tab when you submit. Once the employer approves, it will appear under the “Approved KYC” tab (It generally takes 15 days for approval).

Offline procedure

Visit any EPFO branch or Aadhaar Common Service Center to complete the offline process of linking Aadhaar to UAN. You must send a request form and a self-attested copy of the member’s Aadhaar card to the branch. It will be completed after verification, and a notification to the registered Mobile Number will serve as confirmation.

Since its founding in 1952, EPFO has advanced considerably. UAN is one of many vital moves it has made along the way, including offering a social security service and simplifying settling EPF claims.

Features of UAN

• In the nation, UAN aids in the centralisation of employee data.
• It lessens the burden placed on employers and businesses by the EPF organisation’s employment verification process.
• With the use of this account, EPFO was able to obtain the member’s bank account information and KYC without the assistance of the employers.
• Tracking and employees’ numerous employment changes are helpful to EPFO.
• Since the establishment of UAN, the number of early and unlawful withdrawals from EPF has dramatically dropped.

Benefits to Employees from UAN

• There will be a consolidation of all new PF accounts linked to new jobs will be consolidated into a single, unified account.
• It is simple to withdraw (all or partially) PF online with this number.
• Employees can transfer their PF amount from one account to another using this specific account number.
• You can check in with your member ID for UAN or send an SMS any time to receive a PF statement (visa purpose, loan security, etc.).
• Future employers must not verify your profile if your UAN has already been Aadhaar and KYC validated.
• Employers cannot access or withhold PF funds belonging to their employees, according to UAN.

How to Get an EPF UAN?

The employer must take the procedures below to generate a new UAN for the employee:

• Use the ID and password to log in to the employer’s EPF portal.
• Click the Register Individual tab in the Member section.
• Enter the employee’s information, including Aadhaar, PAN, bank information, etc.
• Accept all of the information in the “Approval” section.
• The employer can link the employee’s PF account to the new UAN that EPFO generates.

How Do I Change My UAN Password?

• Go to the EPF portal to access the login page
• Select the “Forgot Password” link
• Type in your UAN
• Please enter the captcha code
• Your registered mobile number will receive the ‘OTP.’
• Enter the received OTP
• Choose “Submit” from the menu
• Change the password.

How to Online Download UAN Cards?

If you have a current EPF number, you can quickly get your UAN card by following the instructions below. Before logging into the EPFO site, ensure you have a valid UAN and password.

• The Member e-Sewa page asks you to enter your UAN number.
• Along with the Captcha Code information shown, enter your password.
• To access the EPF account page, select “Sign in”.
• Choose “UAN Card” from the list of options under “View”.
• It will then display the card associated with your account on the page.
• You can download a soft copy of your UAN card or print a hard copy for future use by selecting “Download” from the menu options in the top right corner of your screen.

How can I update my mobile number on the EPFO website?

• Step 1: Check out the EPFO webpage. Click on (For Employees) in the (Our Services) section of the page.
• Step 2: Next, select the “Member UAN/Online Service (OCS/OTCP)” option found in the “Services” menu.
• Step 3: To sign in, enter your UAN, password, and captcha
• Step 4: Afterwards, select the ‘Manage’ tab and the ‘Contact Details’ option.
• Step 5: You will now have the ability to modify your email address or mobile number. Choose Change mobile no. from the menu.
• Step 6: Additional boxes will be displayed when you choose the “Change Mobile No” option, and you will be asked twice for your new mobile number. After that, click “Get Authorization Pin.”
• Step 7: Enter the OTP after receiving it on your new cell phone number and click “Submit.” After submitting your mobile number on the EPFO portal, it will update.

The reasons behind updating your mobile number on the EPFO portal

• By sending an SMS from your registered mobile number, you can check your EPF balance.
• Using a registered mobile number, you can check the status of your claim.
• You will receive updates regarding contributions to your EPF account through SMS on the registered mobile number.
• A message will be issued via SMS to your registered cellphone number once the procedure of crediting the amount to your bank account commences for an EPF withdrawal.
• Transfer the EPF money from your old member ID to your new one after you submit the OTP delivered to your registered mobile number.

Conclusion

EPF is a significant way to save money for retirement. The development of online technologies has made it simpler to transact, update personal information, and transfer EPF when changing jobs. So, whether you register online or offline, keep your UAN close to hand.

We learned how to activate UAN number; anyone can activate their UAN number. People can keep an account of all of their PF accounts in one place using a UAN number. UAN is universal, so it does need to be changed for different accounts. Moreover, people can transfer their funds hassle-free.