EPF Withdrawal 2025: Rules, Eligibility, and How to Apply

EPF Withdrawal Rules 2025: Your Guide to Accessing PF During Unemployment, Retirement, or Debt

If you’re employed, you likely have a Provident Fund (PF) account, with monthly contributions from both your salary and your company. While this fund builds for your future, there are times you might need to access it sooner. Understanding when, how, and how much you can withdraw is crucial.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has specific rules and conditions for PF withdrawals. Let’s break down the key regulations to help you navigate different financial needs.

Important Updates & Key Considerations for PF Withdrawals

EPFO 3.0 (Expected Mid-2025): Get ready for faster and easier withdrawals! EPFO is planning to launch “EPFO 3.0” by mid-2025. This update is expected to allow instant withdrawals of up to ₹1 lakh or 50% of your balance via UPI and ATMs for urgent needs. Full withdrawals will still follow existing rules for retirement or job loss.
Online Process is Key: Most PF withdrawals can be applied for online via the EPFO portal or UMANG app. Just ensure your Universal Account Number (UAN) is active and correctly linked with your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details.
Keep Your KYC Updated: To avoid delays, always make sure your UAN, Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account information are accurate and verified with the EPFO.
TDS Implications:
- Before 5 Years of Service: If you withdraw your EPF before completing 5 years of continuous service, TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) applies. It’s 10% if you provide your PAN, and 30% if you don’t.
- Withdrawals Under ₹50,000: No TDS is deducted if the withdrawal amount is less than ₹50,000.
- After 5 Years of Service: Withdrawals after 5 years of continuous service are generally tax-exempt.

When Can You Withdraw From Your PF?

EPFO offers flexible withdrawal options for various life events. Here’s a detailed look:

1. For Marriage Expenses

Eligibility: Must be an EPF member for at least 7 years.
Amount: You can withdraw up to 50% of your share of contributions (including interest).
Purpose: For your own wedding, your siblings’ wedding, or your children’s wedding.
Frequency: This can be availed 3 times in a lifetime.
Proof: You might need to provide a marriage invitation card.

2. For Children’s Education

Eligibility: Must be an EPF member for at least 7 years.
Amount: You can withdraw up to 50% of your share of contributions (including interest).
Purpose: To fund your children’s post-matriculation higher education.
Frequency: This can be availed 3 times in a lifetime.
Proof: A bonafide certificate stating the fees from the educational institution may be required.

3. For Buying or Building a House

Eligibility: At least 5 years of EPF membership are required.
Purpose: To buy land, or to buy, build, or repair a house. The property must be in your name, your spouse’s name, or jointly owned.
Withdrawal Limits:
- For purchasing a plot: Up to 24 times your monthly basic wages + DA, or the actual cost of the plot, whichever is lower.
- For purchasing/constructing a house: Up to 36 times your monthly basic wages + DA, or your total contributions with interest, or the total cost, whichever is lowest. Up to 90% of your total PF balance is also a common limit cited.
- For home renovation/repairs: Up to 12 times your monthly basic wages + DA, or your share with interest, or the cost, whichever is least.
Frequency: Generally, only one withdrawal is allowed for buying/constructing. For repairs, you can withdraw after 5 years of the house being built/purchased, and again 10 years after the first repair withdrawal, for a total of twice for renovation.

4. For Medical Needs

Eligibility: You can withdraw money at any time, even immediately after joining EPF. There’s no minimum membership period.
Amount: The lesser of six months’ basic salary + dearness allowance or your share with interest. Up to 100% of your employee share is also possible.
Frequency: You can withdraw this amount as many times as needed.
Purpose: For medical treatment of yourself, your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

5. Before Retirement

Eligibility: If you have less than a year left for retirement (i.e., you are 54 years of age or older).
Amount: You can withdraw up to 90% of your total PF fund.
Frequency: This facility is available only once in a lifetime.

6. During Unemployment

Partial Withdrawal:
- If unemployed for at least 1 month: You can withdraw up to 75% of your PF balance.
- If you haven’t received a salary for more than 2 continuous months (not due to a strike), you can still withdraw part of your contribution.
Full Withdrawal:
- If unemployed for more than 2 continuous months: You can apply for a complete EPF withdrawal, including the remaining 25%.
- This also applies if your company closes for over 15 days, leading to your unemployment without compensation, or if you’re moving abroad permanently.

7. To Repay a Loan

Eligibility: At least 10 years of EPF membership.
Amount: You can withdraw up to 36 months’ basic salary + DA or the total of employee-employer contributions with interest, or the outstanding loan amount (principal and interest), whichever is lower.
Purpose: To repay an outstanding home loan taken from a government-recognized lender for buying, building, or repairing a house.
Proof: A certificate from the lender indicating the outstanding principal and interest may be required.

How to Apply for PF Withdrawal

Online Application (Recommended):
1. Log in to the EPFO Unified Member Portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in) with your UAN and password.
2. Confirm your KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, Bank details) are updated and verified.
3. Go to ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)’.
4. Verify your bank account number.
5. Choose the type of withdrawal (e.g., PF Advance – Form 31 for partial, Form 19 for full settlement, Form 10C for pension).
6. Select your reason, enter the amount, and your address.
7. Submit the application and verify using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
8. You can then track your claim status online.
Offline Application:
1. Download the Composite Claim Form (Aadhaar or Non-Aadhaar) from the EPFO website.
2. Fill out the form accurately.
3. If using the Non-Aadhaar form, it needs to be attested by your employer. The Aadhaar form generally doesn’t need employer attestation if your KYC is complete.
4. Submit the form with required documents (ID proof, address proof, bank details, cancelled cheque) to your nearest EPFO office.

Always check the official EPFO website (epfindia.gov.in) for the most up-to-date and accurate information, as rules can change.

Do you have any specific withdrawal scenarios in mind, or would you like to know more about the application process?