If you’re a salaried employee in India, chances are that you have a Provident Fund (PF) account, which is managed under the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). And if you’ve been contributing to your PF, you likely have a Universal Account Number (UAN). This UAN is a unique identification number that links all of your EPF accounts under one umbrella.

However, sometimes, people forget their UAN due to various reasons—whether they changed jobs, haven’t checked their PF details in a while, or simply misplaced their UAN information. If you've forgotten your UAN, don’t worry! You can recover it easily in just a few steps.

Let’s explore how you can recover your UAN number quickly and conveniently.

1. What is UAN and Why is it Important?

Before jumping into the recovery process, let's first understand what a UAN (Universal Account Number) is and why it's crucial for your Provident Fund (PF):

· UAN is a unique 12-digit number assigned to every employee who is a part of the EPF system.

· It acts as a central identification number that links multiple PF accounts of an individual, even if they change jobs.

· UAN makes it easier for employees to access and manage their EPF balance, track contributions, transfer balances, and withdraw money when necessary.

2. How to Recover Your Forgotten UAN Number?

If you’ve forgotten your UAN number, there are several ways to recover it. Below are the simplest and most reliable methods to get your UAN number back.

3. Method 1: Use the EPFO Member Portal

The EPFO Member Portal is the official website to access all your PF-related information, including your UAN number.

Steps to Recover Your UAN from the EPFO Member Portal:

1. Visit the EPFO Member Portal: Open the EPFO Member Portal.

2. Click on ‘Forgot UAN’: On the login page, there’s an option that says ‘Forgot UAN’. Click on it.

3. Enter Your Details:

o Select your State and EPFO Office.

o Enter your Member ID, which is available on your payslip or any PF statement you’ve received.

o You’ll be asked to fill in a captcha to verify that you’re not a bot.

4. Receive Your UAN Number: Once you submit the details, your UAN number will be sent to the registered mobile number or email ID that you provided when registering with EPFO.

4. Method 2: Use the EPFO UAN Portal

The UAN Portal is a dedicated platform for UAN-related services. You can easily recover your UAN by entering your PF Member ID and personal details.

Steps to Recover UAN from the UAN Portal:

1. Go to the UAN Portal: Visit the EPFO UAN Portal.

2. Click on ‘Know Your UAN Status’: Under the ‘Important Links’ section, you’ll find the ‘Know Your UAN Status’ option. Click on it.

3. Enter Your Details:

o Enter your PF Member ID.

o Provide other personal details such as Name, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, etc.

o Complete the captcha verification.

4. Get Your UAN: After you submit the details, you’ll receive a message containing your UAN number via SMS on your registered mobile number.

5. Method 3: Check Your Payslip or PF Passbook

In many companies, the UAN number is printed on your payslip or is available in the PF passbook. If your employer has already registered your UAN with EPFO, it should appear in the documents.

Steps to Find UAN on Payslip or PF Passbook:

· Check Your Payslip: Your UAN number may be printed on the payslip that you receive every month. Look for a section labeled ‘EPF’ or ‘PF Account’.

· Check Your PF Passbook: You can also log in to the EPFO Portal and check your PF passbook for your UAN. The UAN is typically listed at the top of the passbook.

6. Method 4: Contact Your Employer or HR Department

If you’re still unable to recover your UAN number, the most straightforward method would be to contact your HR department or employer. They will have access to your PF details and should be able to provide you with the UAN linked to your account.

Steps to Contact HR for UAN Retrieval:

· Reach out to your HR department via email or phone.

· Ask them for your UAN number. Ensure that you provide them with necessary information such as employee code and date of joining to help them identify your account.

7. Method 5: Use the EPFO mobile App

The EPFO has a mobile app called ‘EPFO on Mobile’, which provides a range of services for employees. You can check your UAN and other PF details using the app.

Steps to Retrieve UAN via EPFO mobile App:

1. Download the EPFO App: Go to Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search for the EPFO on Mobile app.

2. Login to the App: Use your UAN and password (if available). If you don’t have your UAN, you can use the ‘Know Your UAN’ feature to recover it.

3. Access Your UAN: After logging in, you can view your UAN number, along with all your PF-related information.

8. Method 6: Check Your EPF Member ID on the EPFO Website

If you're unable to remember your UAN number, you can use your EPF Member ID to retrieve it.

Steps to Use EPF Member ID:

1. Visit the EPFO Website: Go to the EPFO Official Website.

2. Check ‘Know Your UAN Status’: Select ‘Know Your UAN Status’ under the ‘For Employees’ section.

3. Enter Member ID: Input your Member ID and personal details as required.

4. Get UAN: Your UAN number will be displayed.

9. Conclusion: Recovering UAN is Easy and Quick

Forgetting your UAN can cause a bit of stress, but there’s no need to worry! As you can see, the process to recover your UAN number is quick and simple. Whether you use the EPFO website, the UAN portal, or contact your HR department, you can get access to your UAN number in just a few minutes.

Make sure to keep your UAN handy for future reference as it will be crucial for managing your Provident Fund (PF) and other retirement savings.

If you have any other queries related to UAN, EPFO, or PF management, feel free to ask!

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.