For Indian salaried employees, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is perhaps the most important corner stone of long-term financial security. While all of us observe monthly deductions from our salaries under the caption “PF,” it is not difficult to miss the significance of monitoring where that money gets utilized. That’s where your PF statement kicks in.
Consider it your retirement passbook — an overall summary of your contributions, earned interest, and any withdrawals or transfers. Whether you’re planning your financial future, changing jobs, or seeking a loan, this document can serve you in more than one way.
In this piece, we’re going to explain what a PF statement is, why you need it, how you can get it, and clarify some frequently asked questions — so you don’t have to guess when you need it the most.
Read more: EPFO KYC: What It Is and How It Powers Employment Verification
What is a PF Statement?
A Provident Fund (PF) statement is an electronic or downloadable document that reflects the transactions in your EPF account. It contains:
Employee and employer contributions for each month
Interest gained on the contributions
Opening and closing balance for every financial year
Transaction history, including partial withdrawals, advances, or transfers
This statement is kept by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) a statutory organization under Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
To avail your statement, you would require a Universal Account Number (UAN) a 12-digit one-of-a-kind number that connects your PF accounts between jobs.
Why Is the PF Statement Important?
Let’s see why this apparently simple document is a significant part of your professional and financial life:
Retirement Planning
Your PF is a long-term savings instrument. Contributions and interest build up over time to form a substantial corpus. The PF statement tells you how this is increasing, allowing you better control over your retirement planning.
Employment Verification
Your PF contributions are linked to your employer directly. This record can assist in confirming your work history — a handy reference at times of job transitions, background checks, or while applying for visas. OnGrid’s Employment History Check can help verify a candidate’s past employment and detect instances of moonlighting.
Tax Benefits
According to Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, your PF contributions are tax-deductible. Your annual statement proves helpful at income tax filing and while calculating overall savings.
Loan Applications
Banks and NBFCs usually accept PF statements during income verification or employment history while you apply for loans or credit cards.
Job Changes
During a change of jobs, the PF statement assists in maintaining continuity and confirming that your new employer is depositing in the same UAN-linked account. It is also convenient to trigger PF transfers if necessary.
How to Download Your PF Statement
There are two easy ways to view and download your PF statement — online through the EPFO website or through the government’s UMANG app.
Method 1: Through the EPFO Member Portal
Visit the EPFO website: https://www.epfindia.gov.in
Under “Our Services,” select “For Employees”
Select “Member Passbook” from the options
You will be navigated to the EPFO passbook website: https://passbook.epfindia.gov.in/MemberPassBook/Login.jsp
Log in using your UAN and password
Choose your Member ID (associated with your employer) and click to download passbook
Note: Your UAN should be activated and associated with your Aadhaar, bank account, and registered mobile number to use all facilities.
Method 2: From the UMANG AppThe UMANG app offers easy mobile access to government services, such as EPFO.
Steps:
Download the UMANG app from Google Play or the App Store
Open the app and navigate to EPFO Services
Click on “View Passbook”
Enter your UAN
You’ll get an OTP on your registered mobile number
Enter the OTP, and your PF passbook will show up, you can download or view it as required
FAQs – Your Questions Answered
Q1: What is a UAN, and why do I need it?
UAN (Universal Account Number) is a 12-digit EPFO number that unifies various PF accounts with different employers into a single unit. It makes tracking PF easy and is required for downloading your statement.
Q2: Do I need to download my PF statement without UAN?
No, your PF passbook can be accessed only with a UAN. If you still haven’t, you may ask your employer or access it through the EPFO site using your PAN/Aadhaar.
Q3: How frequently is the PF statement updated?
It’s normally updated monthly when your employer contributes to it. Interest is credited once a year, towards the close of the financial year.
Q4: I recently changed jobs, will both employers be included in the same statement?
If both Member IDs are linked under your UAN, yes. If not, you’ll have to shift your old account under the new UAN. You can do this through the EPFO portal.
Q5: Can I view my PF statement offline?
EPFO doesn’t send hard copies anymore. You can download and print your statement yourself if necessary.
Q6: What do I do if I spot mistakes in my PF statement?
You can: Contact your HR team
Submit a grievance through the EPFO Grievance Portal
Visit your local EPFO office
Q7: Will the PF statement alone help me claim my money while retiring?
No. For final withdrawals or claims, you will have to apply from the EPFO portal along with supporting documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account details.
OnGrid’s Perspective
At OnGrid, we know that digital documentation is not paper shuffling — it’s the building block of trust, verification, and identity. A PF statement, so easy to overlook, is of immense value in building one’s professional narrative. Whether you are onboarding new hires, enabling financial verification, or ensuring secure access through digital lockers such as eLockr, PF records can be of crucial help in simplifying compliance and building trust.
We exist to guide people and businesses toward a wiser, quicker, and safer digital experience, where documentation is only the start.
Leave a Reply