Given the current inflation rate, retirement planning is critical. It is vital to start investing early in life and save enough money for retirement. However, accumulating wealth can be difficult, especially if you are a salaried employee.
An EPF is introduced to address this issue. It is a government-managed scheme in which you and your employer contribute a set amount to secure your retirement. However, people rarely stay in one company their entire lives, and each time they move to a new company, a new PF account is created. Multiple accounts cause incorrect PF account transactions. This is where the UAN role kicks in.
What is UAN?
UAN refers to the Universal Account Number comprising 12-digit assigned by the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The UAN allocation is done for employees contributing to the
EPF scheme.
The UAN remains constant throughout your career. If you switch your job, the EPFO will assign you a new ID that will be linked to your UAN once you have completed the necessary formalities. You will need this number to look up any details about your PF account. Furthermore, you don't need to rely on your employer for funds withdrawal or transfer.
How to generate a UAN number?
The UAN generation process will be conducted by your employer using the following steps.
- Visit the UAN portal and go to the 'Establishment Sign In' section displayed on the Home Page.
- Sign in using the login credentials.
- Navigate to the 'Member' section and under it, tap on the 'Register Individual' option.
- Enter the necessary information related to the employee, such as Aadhar number, banking information, PAN, etc.
- Tap on the 'Approval' section and approve all the pending details for UAN generation.
- Following the generation of your UAN, you must link it to a PF account.
How to activate a UAN number?
You can only activate UAN if you have this number or a valid PF member ID. Here are the steps that you need to follow.
Step 1
Visit the EPFO portal and navigate to the 'Our Services' dashboard on the home page. Select 'For Employees’ option on the portal.
Step 2
Tap 'Member UAN,' and you will be redirected to the UAN portal.
Step 3
Enter your PF member ID, UAN, and mobile number. Next, input the captcha code.
Step 4
Tap on '‘Get authorization PIN’. A pin will be sent to your mobile phone; enter it.
Step 5
Tick the 'I Agree' checkbox under the Disclaimer section. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and then click the 'Validate OTP and Activate UAN' button.
Step 6
UAN activation is now completed and you will receive login credentials to access the UAN portal. It is recommended to change it after logging in to avoid privacy violations.
Also Read: EPF Balance Check Online on Mobile, SMS, Call, Umang App How to check your UAN?
You can check your UAN using either of the two following methods.
-
Via Employer
Simply contact your company's HR department and they will provide you with the UAN. In most organisations, the UAN is printed on the pay slip.
-
Via UAN portal
If your employer failed to provide UAN, don't worry; follow the steps below to obtain it.
- Visit the UAN portal.
- Navigate to the '‘Know your UAN Status' tab.
- Tap on the drop-down menu and choose your state and EPFO centre.
- Input your PF member ID and details like mobile number, date of birth, and other required information. You can find the PF member ID on your salary slip.
- Click on the ‘Get Authorization Pin’. Enter the PIN you have received on your registered number. Next, tap on 'Validate OTP and get UAN.'
- Your UAN will be sent to your registered mobile number.
What documents are necessary to obtain a UAN?
If you are starting your career and this is your first job, keep the following documents and details on hand to get a UAN.
- Banking documents such as the front page of your passbook, a statement, or a cheque leaf that includes your account number, branch details, and IFSC.
- Photo-affixed identity proof such as a driver's license, voter ID, Aadhar card, or passport
- Address proof such as rent or lease agreement, utility bills, or ration card.
Note: PAN and Aadhar are necessary because the former is used to link UAN and the latter is required to link with the bank account. Also Read: What is a company's CIN number and how do I obtain it? Conclude
UAN is a unique number that links your multiple PF accounts. It ensures seamless withdrawals, provides complete information related to your PF contribution and eliminates the risk of faulty transactions. If you do not know your UAN number, contact your company's human resources department or use your PF number to check it through the EPFO portal.
