Understanding EPFO’s Member ID and UAN System: The Role of Form 13

Every employee under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme is assigned two key identifiers: the Member ID and the Universal Account Number (UAN). When an employee changes jobs, a new Member ID is issued by the new employer, while the UAN remains the same throughout the employee’s working career.

UAN System – A Brief History

Prior to the introduction of the UAN system in 2012, EPFO assigned only Member IDs to employees, which were unique to each employer. This meant that every time an employee switched jobs, they received a new Member ID, complicating the tracking and management of their EPF contributions.

To simplify this process, EPFO introduced the Universal Account Number (UAN), which remains constant throughout an employee's career, regardless of job changes. The UAN links all of the employee’s EPF accounts from different employers, making it easier to manage their EPF balance.

What Happens to Your EPF Account When You Change Jobs?

When an employee joins a new organization, the employer generates a new Member ID for that employee under the same UAN. To transfer the EPF balance and services from the old account to the new one, the employee must submit Form 13. This form ensures a smooth transfer of EPF funds, merging contributions from previous employers with the current EPF account.

Why is Form 13 Important?

• Transfer of EPF balance and service: Form 13 consolidates all EPF accounts, preventing fragmented accounts due to untransferred balances from previous jobs.
• Merging multiple UANs: If an employee has mistakenly been assigned multiple UANs, Form 13 can be used to merge those UANs into a single UAN, consolidating all Member IDs linked to those UANs.

In conclusion, Form 13 is vital for ensuring continuity in EPF contributions and pension benefits while simplifying account management.