What is a PF Account Number and How to Check It?

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a social security scheme in India that helps salaried individuals save for their retirement. Every employee enrolled in the scheme gets a unique identifier called the PF Account Number. This number is crucial for accessing your EPF account and managing your contributions.

In this blog, we’ll delve into what a PF Account Number is and explore various ways to check it:

What Is a PF Account Number?

Your PF Account Number is a unique 22-digit alphanumeric code assigned by your employer when you join a company that offers EPF benefits. It acts like a key to your EPF account, keeping track of your monthly contributions (by you and your employer), interest earned, and your overall balance.

How to Get the PF Account Number?

With the introduction of UAN (Universal Account Number), it has become significantly easier to find out the PF account number. UAN is a unique identification number that is allotted to every PF account holder and remains valid for his/her entire lifetime. As the name suggests, the UAN remains unique to every employee. Employees can easily find out their UAN by contacting their employers. One can use either of the following options to find out the PF account number-

• Visit the EPFO office – Employees can visit the EPFO office and get their UAN by visiting the EPF office and submitting their details to find their PF number or UAN. It is important to present the identity proof and application form at the office
• Use the UAN Portal – If an employee knows his/her UAN, he/she can easily find the PF account number by simply logging in to the EPFO portal
• Contact the employer – Employees can also directly contact their employer (HR) to request the PF account number
• Look at the salary slip – In most cases, the employers mention the PF account number on the employee’s salary slip

What is the Format of PF Account Number?

The PF (Provident Fund) account number in India follows a 22-digit format, as you mentioned. Here is the breakdown:

1. Region Code: The first two letters represent the region where the PF office is located.
2. Office Code: The next three letters represent the code for the specific PF office within the region.
3. Establishment Registration Code: The following seven digits represent the establishment registration code, which is unique to each organization.
4. Establishment Extension: The next three zeroes are placeholders for the establishment extension.
5. PF Member ID: The last seven digits represent the PF member ID of the employee

Here’s an example of a PF account number format in India:  TN MAS 054110 000 0054321

Here, 

• The first two letters (TN) represent the state; Tamil Nadu, in this case
• The next three alphabets (MAS) represent the regional office; Chennai, in this case
• The first 7 numbers (054110 0) represent the establishment ID
• The next 3 numbers (00 0) represent the extension code of the establishment ID
• The last 7 numbers (054321) represent the actual PF account number

Note that-

• The establishment code can be a maximum of 7 numbers and not more
• For most employers, the establishment ID is unavailable; hence, the extension code would not be present. Only big organizations have an establishment ID; hence they have an extension code
• The PF account number can be a maximum of 7 digits and not more

How to Check Your PF Account Number?

Here are four convenient ways to find your PF Account Number:

1. Check Your Salary Slip: In most cases, your employer includes your PF Account Number on your monthly salary slip. Look for a section dedicated to PF deductions, where the number should be mentioned.
2. Contact Your HR Department: If your salary slip doesn’t have your PF account number or you’re unsure where to find it, reach out to your company’s HR department. They can easily retrieve your PF account number from their records.
3. Utilize the UAN Portal: The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique identifier that links all your EPF accounts under one roof. If your UAN is activated and linked to your PF account, you can log in to the EPFO member portal (https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/) and access your PF account details, including your account number.
4. Visit Your Local EPFO Office: As a last resort, you can visit your nearest EPFO regional office. Carry valid ID proof (like PAN card or Aadhaar card) to help them locate your account details.

Why is Knowing Your PF Account Number Important?

Having your PF Account Number handy is essential for several reasons:

• Track your EPF Balance: You can use your PF account number to check your EPF balance online or through SMS. This helps you stay informed about your retirement savings.
• Manage your EPF Account: With your PF account number, you can access the EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) portal to update your KYC details, nominate beneficiaries, and even initiate withdrawal claims.
• Transfer your PF Account: If you change jobs, knowing your PF account number allows you to seamlessly transfer your accumulated funds to your new employer’s PF account.

What is EPFO Customer Care Number?

The main EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) customer care number is 1800 118 005. This is a toll-free helpline number that is operational 24/7 and can be used by employees to inquire about their PF account, UAN (Universal Account Number), and other related queries.

Some key details about the EPFO customer care number:

• Toll-free number: 1800 118 005
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Can be used to get information on PF account, UAN, claims, and other services 
• EPFO also has a multilingual toll-free helpline number 14470 that is available from 7 AM to 9 PM 
• Employees can also email their queries to the EPFO helpdesk at [email protected] 
• EPFO services are also available through the UMANG mobile app, which can be accessed by giving a missed call to 9718397183 

EPFO Member Portal Services

EPFO provides various services to organisations and their employees, helping them understand different aspects of the fund. Listed below are some of the major services offered by the EPFO-

1. Online Registration: Organizations can easily register their establishments online through the EPFO portal.
2. UAN Generation: Employees can generate their Universal Account Number (UAN) on the EPFO portal, which grants them access to the UMANG application for easy access to all PF-related information.
3. Online EPF Subscription: Organizations can make PF payments/subscriptions online, simplifying the process.
4. Grievance Redressal: EPF members can raise complaints regarding pension settlement, PF withdrawal, PF transfer, etc.
5. Online Claims Status and Passbook: EPF members can check the status of their PF claims and download their PF passbook using their UAN.
6. Missed Call and SMS Service: Users can obtain PF account details, such as balance and previous contributions, by sending an SMS or giving a missed call.
7. EPF Member Passbook: Members can download their EPF Passbook to view detailed transactions related to their contributions and withdrawals.
8. Pensioner’s Portal: Employees can find answers to pension-related queries on the EPFO member portal.
9. One Employee, One EPF Account: EPF account holders can merge their PF accounts under one UAN, even if they have worked for multiple organizations.
10. TRRN Query: Employees can check the status of their PF challan payment using the Temporary Return Reference Number (TRRN).
11. Helpdesk: The EPFO member portal offers a helpdesk for any PF-related queries employees may have.
12. ECR Portal: The Electronic Challan cum Return portal allows employees to register, generate user IDs, and upload the ECR with digital signatures.
13. COC Application Form: Employees can fill out the Certificate of Coverage (COC) application form through the EPFO website.

The PF Number and UAN are essential for managing an employee’s provident fund account. The EPFO provides various channels for employees to access their PF account information and avail of its services, including the toll-free customer care number 1800 118 005. By utilizing these resources, employees can effectively manage their PF accounts and ensure timely settlement of claims.