Employee Provident Fund is a retirement savings plan in which a salaried person contributes a portion of the salary
every month to generate a substantial corpus. EPF Form 11 is important when you're joining a new organisation that
offers the scheme. It acts as a declaration to the employer to confirm whether you are / aren't a member of the EPFO.
What is EPF Form 11?
It is a self-declaration form that every new employee joining an establishment covered under the EPF Act, 1952, must
fill out. Even if you already have a UAN and are an existing member, you still need to complete this form to provide
all details of your previous employment. With the modified EPF Form 11, you can automatically transfer your previous
account's amount to your new one without Form 13.
Reasons to fill out EPF Form 11
- If you are an existing member of the EPF scheme and want to continue receiving scheme benefits with a new member
ID.
- If you were not a member of EPFO previously because you worked for a small company and now you wish to contribute
to EPF / EPS because your new company offers this option.
- If you want to automatically transfer your PF funds from your previous account to the new one.
Purpose of EPF Form 11
- EPF Form 11 ensures that your contributions continue effortlessly.
- By linking your Universal Account Number (UAN) with your new employer, the form helps prevent the creation of
multiple EPF accounts.
- The form serves as a declaration of your previous employment and EPF membership, helping in the accurate
verification of your details.
- For those who were not previously members of EPFO, if your current salary exceeds ₹15,000 per month, you can
choose not to contribute to EPF / EPS, classifying you as an 'excluded employee'.
How to get EPF Form 11 online?
- Go to the official EPFO website and select the 'Miscellaneous' tab.
- From the list that appears, choose 'Downloads'.
- On the left side of the screen, click on the 'Return Form' option.
- Scroll down until you find Form No 11 under The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 and click the 'Download'
button.
Your employer might also provide you with a copy of this form when you join.
How to fill out EPF Form 11?
- Personal information: This includes your full name, father's name / spouse's name as applicable,
date of birth, gender, marital status and contact details.
- Previous employer details: You need to indicate whether you were previously a member of EPF or
EPS. If yes, you'll need to provide additional details, such as your UAN, previous PF account number, date of exit
from previous employment, scheme certificate number (if issued) and Pension Payment Order (PPO) number (if issued).
Submission of EPF Form 11
Once you have filled out EPF Form 11, submit it to your employer. The employer will sign and stamp the form before
submitting it to the regional EPF office. Employers are responsible for uploading the information to the UAN portal
within 25 days from the date of submission. They must activate your UAN, share the details and ensure your KYC details
(PAN, Aadhaar and bank account) are seeded within a month of receiving
the UAN.
Also Read: Know
the difference between EPF and NPS
Conclusion
EPF Form 11 is a crucial document for maintaining the continuity and accuracy of your PF contributions and
facilitating hassle-free management of your retirement savings. EPF is a key financial resource for salaried
individuals in India, offering a safety net for retirement and certain life event.
For a more comprehensive retirement strategy, consider diversifying your investments with products like the Public Provident Fund (PPF) through Axis
Bank. The PPF is an excellent choice for building a robust retirement corpus, offering significant tax benefits,
competitive interest rates and a secure, risk-free savings environment.
Disclaimer:This article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this article
are personal and do not necessarily constitute the views of Axis Bank Ltd. and its employees. Axis Bank
Ltd. and/or the author shall not be responsible for any direct / indirect loss or liability incurred by
the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information. Please consult your
financial advisor before making any financial decision.
