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 ↗
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
Login to the EPFO member portal.
Approved KYC
Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account — verified and approved by an employer.
Bank account in your own name
Joint or third-party accounts are not accepted for EPF claims.
Cancelled cheque or passbook page
Some claims require an upload of cancelled cheque showing the account number and your name.
Reason-specific documents (Form 31)
Hospital bill (illness), fee receipt (education), purchase agreement (house), etc. — depending on the advance reason.
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
Common mistakes
- Filing Form 19 (full settlement) within 2 months of leaving a job — EPFO rejects early full settlements.
- Choosing the wrong advance reason — each has unique rules, and a mismatch causes rejection or partial settlement only.
- Missing Form 15G upload when the withdrawal qualifies for nil-TDS — leads to TDS deduction that has to be refunded later via ITR.
- Withdrawing PF instead of transferring it when you have ongoing employment — TDS, lost pension service, and reset contribution history.
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.
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.