What is Universal Account Number?
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique identification number issued by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It serves as a single reference for linking multiple Member Identification Numbers (Member IDs) that an employee may have acquired across different jobs. With UAN, employees can access all their provident fund details under one unified platform.
Key Features of UAN
Centralized Access: Links multiple Member IDs (from different employers) under one UAN.
Ease of Tracking: Enables employees to view their complete PF history across various organizations.
Streamlined Process: Simplifies transferring and managing provident fund accounts during job changes.
UAN Requirement for New Employment
If an employee already has a UAN, they must provide it to the new employer during onboarding.
The new employer will link the newly allotted Member ID to the existing UAN for seamless tracking and management.
Steps for Employers to Manage UAN
Distribute UAN to Employees: Share the assigned UAN with employees.
Ensure employees fill out Form-11 to confirm details of previous employment and facilitate linking existing UANs to new member IDs.
Update KYC Details:
Input individual KYC information manually, or
Upload bulk KYC data using a text file formatted according to EPFO guidelines available on their website.
Verify and Activate UAN:
Confirm that the UAN is activated and linked to the employee’s profile for smooth handling of provident fund transactions.
Importance of UAN
Simplifies Provident Fund Management: Employees can monitor their PF contributions, withdrawals, and transfers effortlessly.
Reduces Redundancy: Prevents multiple UANs for the same individual, ensuring accuracy in records.
Promotes Transparency: Both employees and employers can easily access and verify PF-related details.