Should you withdraw or transfer Provident Fund (EPF) during a job change?
Many of the employees would change the job to move in their career. One financial aspect which would come into mind is whether we should withdraw or transfer an employee provident fund (EPF) during a job change. In this article, I would provide some views on what an employee should do about provident fund when he or she would change jobs?
What is employee provident fund (EPF)?
When you are employed in a company, 12% of basic and dearness would be transferred to employee provident fund. An equal amount of employer share is also transferred to this EPF account. The current interest rate is 8.5% per annum. Means you would be getting 8.5% fixed returns on your EPF balance every year.
Also Read: How to check employee provident fund (EPF) balance online?
What happens to your employee provide fund (EPF) account when you change your job?
- Legally an employee should transfer his EPF account to new company when he changes his job. However, you can withdraw amount based on certain criteria.
- If you want to withdraw EPF amount and if you have completed 5 years of continuous service in single or multiple companies, you are eligible to withdraw EPF amount and the returns are tax free.
- If you want to withdraw EPF amount and if you have NOT completed 5 years of continuous service in single or multiple companies, the employer share including interest is taxable. This amount needs to be treated as “Salary” and pay necessary income tax based on your income tax slab in the year of withdrawal.
Should you withdraw or transfer your EPF account
PF offers 8.5% per annum returns: Good interest rate of 8.5% per annum on your EPF account discourage for you to withdraw.
Good retirement option: EPF could be a good retirement option as you save for long term till retirement. You are forced to make savings.
Tax free returns: You can expect tax free guaranteed returns from EPF account.
Compounding helps to grow money: The compounding interest on the EPF account for the long term would help you to save good amount of money.
Consider withdrawal last option: You should continue to invest in EPF account considering positive factors and withdrawal should be the last option.
Withdraw only after 5 continuous years of service: Your withdrawal option should come only after 5 years of continued service that too in case of emergency only. This way you can get a tax exemption. Even if you are falling in the 20 % tax bracket, all such EPF amounts of employer + interest on that needs to be paid as income tax which would screw up your withdrawn amount.
Withdraw in case of discontinued employment: You can opt for a withdrawal of an EPF amount in case you are discontinued from employment, and take care of any other business activities.
Also Read: Comparison of EPF Vs PPF Vs VPF with Pros and Cons
Conclusion: I feel an employee should continue to invest in EPF and should transfer the EPF amount to new company during change of job. Withdrawal of EPF account should be your last resort.
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Suresh
Should you withdraw or transfer EPF during a job change
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I have worked in Employer-1 for 3.5 years & had PF-1 account. Then I joined Employer-2 & worked there for 1.4 years & had PF-2 account.
Now, I have again joined Employer-1 & have PF-3 active account. PF-1 & PF-2 are inactive now. Pls suggest me best way (transfer/withdrawal) to deal with this situation.
I am not concerned with my retirement sum. Basically want to know best way to pay minimum tax for PF amounts on all 3 accounts.
Pls note that I have not transfered/withdrawal PF-1, PF-2 amounts till now.
Worked in HCL Technologies, Ltd. for more than 2 years. I Left HCL Technologies Ltd. in June 30, 2014, but till now just received partial payment of PF amount.
Since interest rates are more in PPF account, Can I transfer my old company EPF amount to SBI PPF account
Pls respond. Thanks, Nikhi
You cannot transfer EPF amount to PPF account.
Hi,
I need your advise.
I was working in previous organization since 11-Mar-2011 to 5-Sep-2014. I left this job on 5-Sep-14.
But unfortunately due to some issues I could not join new organization and now I am jobless and probably join new organization in December-2014.
So after I left previous origination, there is almost 3 months gap. I don’t want to withdraw PF. I will transfer it to new origination PF account. So my question is, can I transfer previous PF account to new account after service gap of almost 3 months.
I have PAN from my previous company.
Regards,
Dear all. Please provide the answers for above question.same from side ??
As far I know, your PF number (PF Acount) stays alive for 3 years without being credited into. In your case its just 3 months. So ideally the same PF number can be used in your new work-place.
I worked in a private company having approved PF Trust, for 2 years and 8 months. I left this job 18 months back. My present employer ( a new State Govt. PSU), has not yet instituted the EPF scheme. Kindly advise me whether I should go for refund of my PF from the previous company or wait for some more time, so as to save tax ( tax amount will be substantial).
Regards
Anand