What Is EPFO UAN, Its Importance, And How To Retrieve UAN Online

For Indian employees, a provident fund (PF) is a significant investment option, that offers quite a high-interest rate (8.5%), and secures the employee's future after retirement. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) offers this investment opportunity and the interest rate is fixed by the union government. To manage the fund, keep track, check balance, and for maintaining transparency, a Universal Account Number (UAN) is provided to all the employees to have a PF account.

Importance of UAN

It is a 12-digit Unique Identification Number, and you can check your EPF details through the number. You can also utilize the number to transfer PF accounts from one employer to another employer without withdrawing the PF balance. In addition to that, you can transfer balances and cancel an old PF account through the UAN. On the EPFO official website, the employee must link the UAN to his/her KYC information.

But what will happen if someone forgets the UAN? There are virtual ways to retrieve the UAN. From the EPFO official website, you can retrieve the number easily, from the comfort of your home.

How to retrieve UAN online

It is an easy job to retrieve the UAN online.

On the official EPFO website, go to the 'know your UAN' section. You need to put your mobile number which is linked with your EPF account. After entering the number you find a captcha code below; put the captcha correctly. You will be asked for an OTP here. To continue with this, you must keep the mobile number with you, active, which is linked with your UAN. You will receive a message in the mobile number and an OTP will be shared with you. Enter the OTP on the website window, where it is asked. After that, you will be asked to put your details like name, date of birth, etc., fill up the window carefully. The next step is a verification procedure. You will be required to put your Aadhaar number, PAN number, and member Id for verification. Then, to check your UAN, click on the 'show my UAN' option. Here your UAN will be displayed on the website.

However, if the UAN is still not activated, then follow the same process till entering the OTP on the website. After that, select the validate OTP, and then activate the UAN on the portal. After that, you will receive a password to your registered mobile number.