Last reviewed: 29 August 2026
EPF final settlement and pension claims: which form applies?
Provident fund and pension benefits are different claims. A member leaving employment should first identify whether the claim is for final EPF settlement, EPS withdrawal benefit / Scheme Certificate, monthly pension, or only a partial PF advance.
Final EPF settlement
Form 19 has traditionally been used for final settlement of the provident fund account. EPFO also uses Composite Claim Forms and online claim filing.
EPS withdrawal / Scheme Certificate
Form 10C is used where applicable for withdrawal benefit or a Scheme Certificate under the Employees' Pension Scheme.
Monthly pension
Form 10D is used for monthly pension where the claimant satisfies the applicable pension eligibility requirements.
When can full EPF withdrawal be claimed?
EPFO's existing published FAQ continues to state that final settlement is available on retirement or after the prescribed waiting period following cessation of employment. Historically, paragraph 69(2) of the EPF Scheme, 1952 allowed final withdrawal after two months of unemployment, while paragraph 68HH permitted withdrawal of up to 75% after one month of unemployment.
Full withdrawal can also arise in other circumstances recognised under the applicable scheme framework, including retirement and specified cases such as permanent incapacity, retrenchment, voluntary retirement or permanent migration abroad, subject to current rules and verification requirements.
How to withdraw EPF online through the EPFO Member Portal
- Open the official EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.
- Sign in using your UAN, password and captcha.
- Check your profile and KYC details. Your Aadhaar, bank account, mobile number and service details should be correct for online Aadhaar-authenticated claims.
- If required, verify or update your Date of Exit and reason for leaving employment. EPFO provides a "Manage > Mark Exit" facility for eligible previous employment records.
- Open Online Services and choose the claim option shown by EPFO. The portal currently refers to Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).
- Enter or verify the bank-account information requested by the portal.
- Choose Proceed for Online Claim.
- Select the claim available for your circumstances, such as final PF settlement, EPS withdrawal benefit / Scheme Certificate, pension claim or PF advance.
- Enter the information requested on screen and upload supporting documents or a cheque image where the portal requires them.
- Complete Aadhaar-based OTP verification using the mobile number linked for authentication.
- Submit the claim and retain the acknowledgement / claim reference number to track status.
EPFO Help page - claim forms, Member Portal and claim-status links
Form 10C and Form 10D: pension withdrawal is not the same as PF withdrawal
The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) has separate eligibility rules. The amount standing to a member's credit in EPF should not be confused with pension entitlement under EPS.
| Claim | Typical form / route | General purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Final provident fund settlement | Form 19 / Composite Claim Form / online claim | Settlement of eligible EPF accumulation after leaving service or on another recognised ground. |
| EPS withdrawal benefit | Form 10C / Composite Claim Form | Withdrawal benefit where pensionable-service conditions for monthly pension are not met and withdrawal is otherwise permitted. |
| Scheme Certificate | Form 10C | Preserves pensionable service for future pension / service aggregation where applicable. |
| Monthly pension | Form 10D | Claim for monthly pension under EPS where eligibility requirements are satisfied. |
EPFO's current claim-form guidance states that a person who has completed 58 years of age and at least 10 years of eligible service should use Form 10D to claim monthly pension. Where the required pensionable service has not been completed, the appropriate withdrawal-benefit route may apply instead.
Tax deduction and Form 15G / 15H
EPF withdrawal can have income-tax consequences depending on the member's continuous service, amount withdrawn, PAN availability and other conditions under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The EPFO portal may provide an option to upload Form 15G or, where legally applicable, Form 15H to request non-deduction of tax when the statutory conditions are satisfied.
Legal framework in 2026
The Code on Social Security, 2020 was brought into force through Central Government notifications beginning on 21 November 2025, and subsequent notifications brought the remaining provisions into force. The Code repeals the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 through its repeal-and-savings framework.
At the same time, section 164 contains savings provisions preserving actions, schemes, notifications and benefits under the earlier enactments to the extent provided by the Code. This is important because EPFO continues to administer claims using the existing EPF Scheme, 1952, Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 and related claim architecture during the transition to the new Code framework.
For a withdrawal application filed in 2026, members should therefore read EPFO's live portal instructions together with current notifications, circulars and the continuing scheme provisions applicable on the claim date.
Gazette notification bringing Social Security Code provisions into force
- 21 November 2025
Code on Social Security, 2020
EPFO Acts, schemes and downloads
October 2025 EPFO withdrawal reforms
EPFO announced that its Central Board of Trustees approved a rationalised withdrawal framework in October 2025. The announced changes included a common minimum-service period for partial withdrawals, a 25% minimum-balance concept, expanded withdrawal flexibility and changes to waiting periods for premature final settlement and pension withdrawal.
Because implementation depends on formal scheme amendments, notifications and portal rollout, members should distinguish between a CBT-approved policy decision and a rule already reflected in the operative EPFO portal or published scheme text. Where EPFO's FAQ and a later reform announcement differ, follow the latest legally effective notification and the Member Portal requirements applicable on the filing date.
Official EPFO links for PF withdrawal
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw the full PF amount immediately after leaving a job?
Not necessarily. EPFO has historically applied a waiting period for final settlement after resignation, while allowing specified unemployment advances. The CBT approved revised withdrawal rules in October 2025, but members should verify the latest operative rule and portal eligibility before filing.
Is Form 10D for withdrawing pension money?
Form 10D is primarily the monthly pension claim form under EPS. It should not be described as a general pension-fund withdrawal form.
What happens if I have less than 10 years of pensionable service?
Depending on age and other eligibility conditions, an EPS withdrawal benefit or Scheme Certificate route through Form 10C / Composite Claim Form may apply.
Do I need employer attestation for an Aadhaar-based online claim?
EPFO states that where UAN is activated and Aadhaar and bank details are appropriately linked, a member can use the Aadhaar-based Composite Claim Form / online claim route without the traditional employer attestation requirement, subject to current portal conditions.
Disclaimer: This page is an informational guide and is not an EPFO website. Withdrawal eligibility, pension entitlement, TDS treatment and claim procedures can change through legislation, scheme amendments, notifications and portal updates. Verify the current position on the official EPFO website before filing.