The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a vital savings tool for salaried employees in India, managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). With the advent of digital services, checking your EPF balance has become incredibly straightforward. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to check your EPF balance after logging in to the EPFO member portal.
Why Check Your EPF Balance?
Before diving into the how-to, it’s essential to understand why you should regularly check your EPF balance:
- Financial Planning: Knowing your EPF balance helps you plan for future financial needs, including retirement.
- Transparency: Regularly checking your balance ensures that your and your employer’s contributions are being correctly deposited.
- Error Detection: Spotting any discrepancies early can help you address them promptly with your employer or EPFO.
- Claim Processing: Being aware of your balance is crucial when you need to make partial withdrawals or full claims.
Prerequisites for Checking Your EPF Balance
Before you can check your EPF balance online, ensure you have the following:
- UAN (Universal Account Number): A unique 12-digit number assigned to each EPF member.
- Activated UAN: You must have activated your UAN on the EPFO portal.
- Registered Mobile Number: Your mobile number must be linked to your UAN.
- Login Credentials: Your UAN and password for the EPFO member portal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your EPF Balance
Step 1: Visit the EPFO Member Portal
Open your web browser and go to the official EPFO member portal at https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/.
Step 2: Log In to Your Account
- Enter Your UAN: On the login page, enter your Universal Account Number (UAN).
- Enter Your Password: Type in the password you created during the UAN activation process.
- Enter the Captcha Code: Fill in the captcha code displayed on the screen.
- Click ‘Sign In’: After entering all the details, click the ‘Sign In’ button to access your account.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘View’ Section
- Dashboard: Once logged in, you will be directed to your account dashboard.
- Select ‘View’: From the menu, select the ‘View’ option.
- Choose ‘Passbook’: Click on ‘Passbook’ to proceed.
Step 4: Download or View Your EPF Passbook
- Select Member ID: If you have multiple Member IDs linked to your UAN, select the appropriate Member ID for which you want to check the balance.
- View Passbook: Your EPF passbook will be displayed on the screen, showing detailed information about your contributions, withdrawals, and interest earned.
- Download Passbook: For offline viewing, you can download the passbook by clicking on the ‘Download’ button.
Alternative Methods to Check Your EPF Balance
In addition to the EPFO member portal, there are other ways to check your EPF balance:
Using the UMANG App
The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app provides a seamless way to check your EPF balance. Here’s how:
- Download the App: Install the UMANG app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register and Log In: Register with your mobile number and log in.
- Select EPFO: Choose the EPFO option from the services menu.
- Enter UAN: Enter your UAN and the registered mobile number to check your balance.
SMS Service
You can check your EPF balance by sending an SMS:
- Compose a New Message: Open the messaging app on your mobile phone.
- Type the Message: Type ‘EPFOHO UAN ENG’ and send it to 7738299899.
- Receive Balance Details: You will receive an SMS with your EPF balance details.
Missed Call Service
Another quick method is the missed call service:
- Dial the Number: Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number.
- Receive SMS: You will receive an SMS with your EPF balance and other details.
Conclusion
Regularly checking your EPF balance is crucial for effective financial planning and ensuring the accuracy of your provident fund account. With the EPFO member portal, UMANG app, SMS, and missed call services, you have multiple ways to access your balance information easily. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly register, log in, and monitor your EPF balance, helping you stay on top of your retirement savings.