EPF Withdrawal Rules 2025
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement savings plan where both you and your employer put money aside regularly. This fund helps you save for your life after retirement. In 2025, EPF withdrawal rules let you use your PF savings under certain conditions like medical emergencies, buying a home, or retirement.
Overview of EPF and Who Manages It
EPF is a government-run saving scheme handled by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). It provides financial security for employees in India’s organized sector. Both employees and employers add to the EPF, which grows with interest over time to support you after you retire.
Main Highlights of EPF Withdrawal Rules 2025
| Scheme Name | Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Withdrawal Rules |
| Governing Body | Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) |
| Who Can Benefit? | Employees contributing to EPF |
| Official Website | https://www.epfindia.gov.in/ |
Important Points About EPF Withdrawal in 2025
- You can’t withdraw money from your EPF account while you’re still working normally. EPF is mainly for retirement savings.
- Partial withdrawals are allowed in emergencies like medical needs, buying or building a home, or higher education.
- If you’re at least 54 years old, you can withdraw up to 90% of your EPF balance one year before retirement.
- You can withdraw your full EPF money only after retirement at age 55 or above.
- If you lose your job due to retrenchment or lockdown, you can withdraw 75% of your EPF after one month of unemployment and withdraw the rest once you get a new job.
- You need to declare you are unemployed before withdrawing EPF under unemployment rules.
- Tax applies on early EPF withdrawal but if the amount is less than Rs. 50,000, there is no tax deduction at source (TDS). Submitting your PAN helps keep TDS low at 10%; otherwise, it’s 30% plus VAT.
- You can avoid TDS by submitting declaration forms like Form 15G or 15H if your income is below taxable limits.
- Linking Aadhaar and UAN makes withdrawal online easier without needing employer permission.
- To get tax exemption on EPF withdrawals, you need continuous membership for at least 5 years.
When Can You Withdraw EPF? Conditions Explained
While Still Working
- You can take an advance from EPF using the Composite Claim Form for emergencies.
- Use Form 14 to pay LIC premium from EPF if needed.
- If you’re over 58 years old and have completed 10 years of service, you can claim monthly pension with Form 10D.
When Changing Job
- You should transfer your EPF account to your new employer using Form 13.
- If you don’t transfer, you can claim withdrawal using the Composite Claim Form.
- Pension claims can also be made with Form 10D if you qualify.
In Case of Disability or Leaving Work
- You can use the Composite Claim Form for PF claims.
- You can claim pension with Form 10D if eligible.
If the Employee Passes Away
- Nominees or family can claim PF using Form 20.
- Monthly pension claims should be made with Form 10D.
- Insurance claims require Form 5IF for Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI).
EPF Withdrawal Limits Based on Purpose
| Purpose | Minimum Service | Withdrawal Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage (self/family) or post-matric education of children | 7 years (84 months) | Up to 50% of your EPF balance |
| Housing (buying, building, rent, or home loan repayment) | 5 years (60 months) | Up to 36 months of basic salary + DA contribution by employee and employer with interest or full cost of the house |
| Medical expenses, natural calamities, disability, or job loss | No minimum service needed | Up to 6 months of basic salary + DA or full EPF contribution |
| One year before retirement | At least 54 years old | Up to 90% of EPF balance |
How to Withdraw EPF Online in 2025
- Go to the EPFO official website.
- Click on ‘Services’ and then select ‘For Employees’.
- Choose ‘Member UAN/Online Service (OCS/OTCP)’.
- Log in with your UAN, password, and Captcha code.
- Under the ‘Manage’ tab, click ‘KYC’ and verify your details.
- If your details are correct, click ‘Online Service’ and select ‘Claim Form-31, 19 & 10C’.
- Enter last four digits of your bank account to verify.
- Click ‘Proceed for Online Claim’.
- Select ‘PF Advance (Form-31)’ to withdraw funds.
- Choose the reason for withdrawal and enter the requested details.
- Upload any required documents based on the withdrawal type.
- Submit your application.
- Your employer needs to approve the request; after approval, funds are transferred to your bank account.
- You will get an SMS once the money is credited.
Remember, linking your Aadhaar with UAN and keeping your KYC details updated helps make the withdrawal process faster and smoother.