EPFO new rule allows Provident Fund transfer despite overlapping employment period – CNBC TV18

Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) of the employees has issued a new instruction to eliminate confusion on the Provident Fund (PF) transfer claims rejected due to overlapping employment dates.

Earlier, the transfer claims were rejected by several regional provident Fund Office (RPFO) if an employee’s service period overlaps between jobs. Such overlap occurs often when workers officially join a new employer before leaving the previous one.

These were considered as errors, delaying PF transfer.

On 20 May, the EPFO’s Chief Office in New Delhi clarified that the overlapping service period should not lead to automated claim rejection. Despite the circular overlap, it instructs the transfer offices to process claims.

New rules require offices:

• Accept even when the service dates are overlap and accept the transfer claims.
• Just ask for clarification whether the overlap looks suspicious.
• Carefully verify all the details to avoid errors.

EPFO members need:

• Transfer claims (Form 13) normally submit, even if it is a date overlap.
• Give relief to the appointment and letters prepared for any question.
• If there is a delay, track their claim position on the EPFO ​​portal.

The organization emphasizes that the actual overlap is no longer a valid basis for rejection. Providing full document can help in speeding up transfer.

For help, employees can contact the EPFO ​​complaint portal or call 1800–118-005.

The purpose of this step is to simplify the transfer process and reduce the delay for thousands of salaried professionals across India.

Separate, EPFO ​​is preparing to roll its upgrade platform, EPFO ​​3.0 in the coming weeks.

Union Labor and Employment Minister Mansuh Mandavia had earlier announced that the launch is scheduled between May and June 2025.

The new version aims to improve service distribution for over 9 million EPF members through a modern IT system. This will include characteristics such as auto-calm settlement, digital account improvement and ATM-based fund withdrawal.