What is UAN?
UAN is a 12-digit Universal Account Number that lets EPFO members track and move their PF when they change jobs.
UAN stands for Universal Account Number. It is a single 12-digit number issued by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to every EPF member. UAN stays with the employee for life, even when they change employers. Each time an employee joins a new company, the new employer creates a fresh member ID under the same UAN.
UAN makes it easy to track the total PF balance across jobs. When an employee switches jobs, they can submit a Form 13 transfer request or use the auto-transfer facility if KYC is complete. Because all member IDs are linked, the member can view the combined balance, passbook and claim status on the EPFO portal or the Umang app.
Members should complete their KYC by linking Aadhaar, PAN and bank account to the UAN. This enables faster withdrawals, online claim tracking and auto-transfer of balances when changing jobs.
The UAN is now mandatory for almost all EPF transactions. It appears on the passbook and is used for online claim settlement, KYC updates and transfer requests. Employees can also use the Umang app or the EPFO member portal to download their passbook, check claim status and update personal details.
Worked example
Rahul starts his career at Company A. EPFO issues him UAN 1001 2345 6789. Company A creates member ID ABCDE1234567000 under this UAN. After two years, Rahul joins Company B, which creates a new member ID FGHIJ1234567000 under the same UAN. Rahul can now see both balances and transfer the first one online.
Related reading
Use the PF calculator to see how contributions add up, or read the statutory deductions guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Is UAN the same as PF account number?
- No. UAN is a permanent number. Each employer creates a separate member ID under the same UAN.
- How can I activate my UAN?
- Members can activate UAN on the EPFO member portal using their mobile number and KYC documents.
- Why should UAN be linked to Aadhaar and PAN?
- KYC linkage makes online withdrawals, transfers and passbook access faster and more secure.