How to Withdraw Your PF (Final Settlement, Partial, Pension)
File an online PF withdrawal claim through the EPFO member portal — Form 19 (final settlement), Form 31 (partial advance), and Form 10C (pension) — including KYC, TDS rules, and when withdrawal is actually allowed.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Permanent
- Issuing Authority
- EPFO
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
Online PF withdrawal happens entirely through the EPFO Member Portal using three forms:
- Form 19 — Final Settlement (withdraw entire PF balance)
- Form 31 — PF Advance (partial withdrawal for specific reasons — illness, education, marriage, home, etc.)
- Form 10C — Pension Withdrawal Benefit (refund of EPS contributions when service is < 10 years)
You can file these online only if your KYC is approved by an employer. KYC means Aadhaar, PAN, and a bank account in your own name — all verified and approved on the portal.
Two crucial rules every applicant misses:
- Final settlement requires 2 months of continuous unemployment (or retirement, or permanent move abroad). Filing within 2 months of resignation gets rejected.
- TDS applies if you withdraw before 5 years of continuous service and your PAN isn't linked. Link PAN first to avoid the higher TDS rate.
If you have ongoing employment, transferring PF to the new employer's Member ID is almost always better than withdrawing.
Eligibility
- Your UAN is activated, and KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank) is approved by an employer.
- For Form 19 (full settlement): you have completed at least 2 months of continuous unemployment, OR retired at 58+, OR moved abroad permanently for employment.
- For Form 31 (advance): your specific advance reason qualifies — illness, education, marriage, house purchase / construction, COVID-period advances, etc.
- For Form 10C (pension withdrawal): you have less than 10 years of EPS service, OR have reached the eligible age, OR meet specific scheme conditions.
Required documents
UAN + activated password
RequiredAuthentication for the EPFO member portal.
Login to the EPFO member portal.
Approved KYC
RequiredRequired before any online claim can be filed.
Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account — verified and approved by an employer.
Bank account in your own name
RequiredDestination for the claim settlement amount.
Joint or third-party accounts are not accepted for EPF claims.
Cancelled cheque or passbook page
OptionalBank account verification for claim settlement.
Some claims require an upload of cancelled cheque showing the account number and your name.
PDFJPGReason-specific documents (Form 31)
OptionalEvidence to justify the partial advance claim under the specific EPFO-recognised reason.
Hospital bill (illness), fee receipt (education), purchase agreement (house), etc. — depending on the advance reason.
PDFJPGForm 15G (if applicable)
OptionalPrevents TDS deduction on PF withdrawal when income is below taxable limit.
Self-declaration for nil TDS — applicable if your total income is below the taxable threshold and you have less than 5 years of EPF service.
PDF
Step-by-step process
- 1
Log in to the EPFO Member Portal
Go to unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/epfo and sign in with UAN + password.
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in ↗ - 2
Confirm KYC is approved
Under 'Manage → KYC', verify Aadhaar / PAN / bank show as 'Approved'. Without approval, you cannot file an online claim.
- 3
Open the Claim form
Go to 'Online Services → Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)'. Confirm the last 4 digits of your bank account.
- 4
Select claim type
Choose Form 19 (Final Settlement), Form 31 (PF Advance), or Form 10C (Pension Withdrawal) — or a combination as applicable.
- 5
Pick the reason (for Form 31)
Select the EPFO-recognised advance reason. Each reason has its own document and eligibility rules.
- 6
Enter the amount
For partial advances, enter the requested amount. EPFO determines the maximum admissible based on rules.
- 7
Upload supporting documents
Upload cancelled cheque, Form 15G (if requesting nil-TDS), and any reason-specific documents.
- 8
Submit with Aadhaar OTP
Generate OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile and submit. A claim reference ID is generated.
- 9
Track the claim
Under 'Track Claim Status', monitor each stage — claim submitted, under process, settled, or rejected.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- Approving Officer
- PF Commissioner
- For Offline Applications
- Nearest EPFO regional office
What happens after applying
- 1
Eligibility confirmed
Check that you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific form (Form 19, 31, or 10C) before filing.
- 2
KYC verified
Confirm that Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account KYC are all in 'Approved' status.
- 3
Claim filed
Submit the claim with Aadhaar OTP from the Online Services section of the member portal.
- 4
EPFO processing
EPFO verifies the claim details, checks eligibility, and processes the settlement.
- 5
Settlement credited
Approved claim amount is credited to your registered bank account. Rejected claims are shown with a reason in Track Claim Status.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Filing final settlement before 2 months of unemployment
Why: Form 19 (final settlement) requires 2 continuous months of unemployment. Filing earlier results in rejection.
Fix: Wait for 2 full months from the last working day before submitting Form 19. Date your last working day carefully.
KYC not approved when filing
Why: The portal blocks claim submission if Aadhaar, PAN, or bank is in 'Pending Approval' status.
Fix: Ensure all three KYC items show as 'Approved' before starting the claim flow.
Not linking PAN before withdrawing
Why: Without an approved PAN in KYC, TDS is deducted at a higher rate (20% vs 10%) on withdrawals before 5 years of service.
Fix: Add and get PAN approved in EPFO KYC before filing any withdrawal claim.
Not uploading Form 15G when eligible
Why: If your total income (including PF withdrawal) is below the basic exemption limit, you can submit Form 15G to avoid TDS. Many eligible claimants skip this.
Fix: If applicable, fill and upload Form 15G during the claim submission. This prevents TDS deduction on the withdrawal.
Choosing the wrong form type
Why: Each form covers a specific purpose — 19 (final settlement), 31 (partial advance), 10C (pension withdrawal). Filing the wrong form leads to rejection.
Fix: Understand what you're applying for before selecting. For unemployment settlement, use Form 19. For a partial medical advance, use Form 31. For pension refund, use Form 10C.
Providing bank details that don't match the approved KYC bank
Why: The portal requires you to confirm the last 4 digits of your approved bank account. If your active account differs from the KYC account, the claim goes to the wrong account.
Fix: Update and get the new bank account approved in KYC before filing the claim. Do not file if KYC bank is different from where you want the money.
Special situations
Claim rejected due to name mismatch▾
Name on EPFO records must match Aadhaar exactly. Correct the name on either system and refile.
Claim pending for more than 20 working days▾
Raise a grievance on epfigms.gov.in with the claim reference ID. EPFO must settle or reject within the prescribed time.
Withdrawal from a very old dormant account▾
Claims from inoperative accounts may require manual verification at the EPFO regional office. Check claim status carefully.
EPS service is exactly 10 years▾
At exactly 10 years of EPS service, you are eligible for monthly pension at retirement age — the pension cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum. Form 10C will be rejected at this threshold.
Partial withdrawal before completing minimum service▾
Each Form 31 advance type has a minimum service requirement (usually 5 or 7 years for house-related advances). Filing before this minimum leads to rejection.
Frequently asked questions
When is TDS deducted on PF withdrawal?▾
When you withdraw before 5 years of continuous service and the withdrawal exceeds the prescribed limit, EPFO deducts TDS — at a higher rate if your PAN isn't linked to your UAN.
Can I withdraw all of my PF anytime?▾
No. Final settlement requires 2 months of unemployment, retirement, or permanent move abroad. Otherwise, only specific advances (Form 31) are allowed.
How long does the claim take to settle?▾
Online claims usually settle in 7–20 working days when KYC and documents are clean. Rejections come faster — within 1–3 days — so monitor closely.
Can I withdraw both EPF and pension?▾
Below 10 years of EPS service: yes, via Form 10C (pension withdrawal benefit). At 10+ years of EPS service, the pension stays in EPS for monthly pension after retirement.
Can I file a withdrawal claim while still employed?▾
Final settlement (Form 19) is only for those who have left employment for 2+ months. However, partial advances (Form 31) can be filed while still employed, for eligible reasons.
What is Form 15G and when do I submit it for PF withdrawal?▾
Form 15G is a self-declaration that your total annual income is below the taxable limit and you request no TDS deduction. It can be uploaded during Form 31 or Form 19 claim submission on the portal. Submit it if your income including the PF withdrawal is below the basic exemption limit.
What are the valid reasons for a partial PF advance (Form 31)?▾
EPFO recognises several advance reasons: medical treatment (self or family), higher education, marriage (self, sibling, or children), purchase or construction of house, home loan repayment, natural calamity, and physical disability. Each has specific eligibility and documentation rules.
Can I file Form 19 and Form 10C together?▾
Yes. The EPFO portal allows you to file Form 19 and Form 10C simultaneously if you qualify for both (unemployed for 2+ months and have less than 10 years of EPS service).
What is the maximum partial advance I can withdraw for a medical emergency?▾
For medical treatment, EPFO allows withdrawal of up to 6 times the monthly salary or total employee share with interest, whichever is lower. This can be done without minimum service requirements.
Will my EPS pension be affected if I withdraw EPF?▾
EPF and EPS are separate. Withdrawing EPF via Form 19 does not affect EPS. However, if you also file Form 10C and withdraw EPS (possible only under 10 years of service), your pension scheme credit is extinguished.
Can I withdraw PF from outside India?▾
Yes. The EPFO member portal is accessible internationally. The claim is processed the same way. Permanent migration abroad is also an eligible reason for final settlement.
What if my claim shows 'Under Process' for more than 20 days?▾
Raise a grievance on epfigms.gov.in mentioning the claim reference ID. EPFO is required to settle claims within 20 working days.
What happens if my claim is rejected?▾
Rejection reasons are shown in the 'Track Claim Status' section. Most rejections are due to KYC mismatch, premature filing, or wrong documents. Address the reason and refile.
Can I withdraw PF without an employer's involvement?▾
Yes. Online claims through the EPFO member portal (with approved KYC) do not require employer intervention. The process is fully member-initiated.
What is the difference between EPF withdrawal and EPS withdrawal?▾
EPF is the main provident fund where both you and your employer contribute. EPS is the pension scheme funded by 8.33% of the employer's contribution. EPF withdrawal via Form 19 gives the full EPF corpus. EPS withdrawal via Form 10C gives the pension contribution back only if you have less than 10 years of service.
Official sources
- EPFO Unified Member Portal ↗
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in
Where Form 19, 31, and 10C claims are filed online.
- EPFO Grievance Portal (EPFiGMS) ↗
epfigms.gov.in
For raising complaints when withdrawal claims stall or are rejected incorrectly.
- EPFO Official Website ↗
epfindia.gov.in
Official EPFO site with withdrawal scheme rules and regional office contacts.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.