Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme (EPF)
Ministry Of Labour and Employment
EPF builds a retirement corpus for salaried employees through mandatory 12% contributions from both employer and employee, with partial withdrawal allowed for home purchase, medical needs and education. Manage your account via the EPFO member portal or UMANG app.
Key facts
- Nodal ministry
- Ministry Of Labour and Employment
- Level
- Central
- Launched
- 1952
- Last date
- Ongoing / No fixed deadline
- Helpline
- 1800-118-005
What you get
Salaried employees build a retirement corpus through mandatory monthly contributions (12% of basic salary each from employer and employee), earning compound interest, with partial withdrawal allowed for specific purposes like home purchase, medical emergency and education.
Who is eligible
Employees of establishments with 20 or more employees are mandatorily covered; employees earning above the wage ceiling can opt in with employer consent, and voluntary coverage is available for smaller establishments too.
Documents you need
UAN (Universal Account Number), Aadhaar card, bank account, and KYC documents for partial withdrawal claims.
How to apply
Your employer registers you with EPFO and deducts monthly contributions; check your balance and file claims through the EPFO member portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in) or UMANG app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EPF contribution rate?
12% of basic salary and dearness allowance from both employer and employee, subject to notified rules.
How do I check my EPF balance?
Through the EPFO Unified Member Portal, UMANG app, or by sending an SMS/missed call to the registered EPFO number.
Can I withdraw EPF before retirement?
Yes, partial withdrawal is allowed for specific purposes like home purchase, medical treatment, education and marriage, subject to service-period conditions.