Universal Account Number (UAN) for EPFO members
Meaning of UAN:
The EPFO allots a unique 12-digit number, known as the UAN number, to all the employees who are contributing to EPF. Every time an employee joins a new job employees files a request to EPFO for generating an employee ID. In case employee already possesses an existing UAN and he had already communicated it to his employer, his employer link his employee ID to existing UAN so that employees have a consolidate record with EPFO for his life-long contribution to the fund no matter the number of times he changes his jobs during his life.
An employee can get his UAN from his existing employee or he can apply for the same from unified EPFO portal. Documents like bank details, Aadhaar card, PAN card, Ration card, ESIC card, Passport or driving license is required for generation of UAN. This works on idea of to link multiple Member Identification Numbers (Member Id) allotted to a single member under single Universal Account Number (UAN).
It is suggested that every employee should link his Aadhaar with UAN to activate auto transferring of PF fund to his bank account. This will also help in merging of PF account with one UAN.
Practical issues with UAN:
Issue 1: Auto de-activation of old UAN:
In the process of auto generation of UAN by EPFO it may be noticed that more than one UAN is generated for one employee member. Now after activation of UAN and aadhaar linking of one UAN all other are deactivated. Now the problem arises at the time of withdrawal of fund from employee ID linked to deactivated UAN.
No auto deactivation of other UAN happens. Employee can activate more than UAN in the system and transfer / withdraws amounts in all other accounts and than close the UANs not being used by him.
Issue 2: What precaution should be kept to ensure that two UAN can’t be issued to same employee?
In case of new joining of employee, employer should check whether previous employer had generated the UAN or not with the help of old employee ID.
Secondly, it should be made a regular practice to fill form 11 by employee at the time of joining of employment so that details of previous employment gets captures. Filling of form 13 is no more relevant as the same can be done online by employee in case correct UAN is updated with new employee ID.
Further, After successful submission of ECR and remittance to bank the employee not having UAN is shown under confirm previous employment link for either declaring previous employment or a fresh employment. This must be carefully updated after due confirmation from employee.
Issue 3: What should be done in case UAN is issued to new joinee who is already possessing UAN?
In case you have not made any transaction in new UAN you can link old UAN with new employee ID and surrender the newly generated UAN.
Issue 4: What if an employee is working under two different employment in two different shift at the same time without informing the employers of his other job?
In this case two UAN will be generated and you need to transfer the funds from one of UAN to another active UAN at the leaving job with the help of form 13.
Issue 5: How to merge two UAN nos?
To merge UAN click on One Employee – One EPF account and verify you mobile number registered on the portal. Now enter old EPFO details and submit the form. Your request for merging the EPF a/c will be sent to EPFO.