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PF Pension Withdrawal Process 2025 (India) – Step-by-Step, Practical Guide
Quick Summary: This guide explains how to withdraw your EPS pension money from your EPF account in 2025, practical eligibility rules, both online and offline step-by-step processes, typical problems, solutions, and sample passbook cases. Derived and simplified from the latest professional practices and the referenced YouTube video by Online PF Consultant (Oct 2025), verified using official EPFO norms. Whether you are a CMA student, an employee, HR professional, or PF consultant, follow every section for real, actionable guidance.
Note: Pension withdrawal from PF is allowed only under strict scenarios and cannot be done if you are employed anywhere; see eligibility and exceptions below.
Note: Pension withdrawal from PF is allowed only under strict scenarios and cannot be done if you are employed anywhere; see eligibility and exceptions below.
What is PF, Pension & Eligibility?
Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a long-term social security scheme meant for the retirement, unemployment, or death of salaried employees in India. PF account comprises contributions from salary by both employer and employee, out of which the Pension Fund (EPS) portion is managed under a separate rule and withdrawn only on special conditions.
You cannot withdraw pension money unless you meet key eligibility scenarios explained below.
| Component | Main Rule | Can Withdraw? |
|---|---|---|
| Provident Fund (PF) | On job change, unemployment, or retirement | Yes, most cases |
| Pension Fund (EPS) | Only after retirement, job loss, death, or on filling Form 10C | No, if employed; Yes, if eligible |
Who Can Withdraw Pension from PF in India (2025)?
- You must be completely unemployed (not working in any company) for at least 2 months. If you have joined a new job or new PF account, pension withdrawal is not permitted.
- If you retire after age 58, you are eligible for monthly pension, not lump sum withdrawal.
- If the member expires, their nominee or family can claim pension following EPFO norms.
- If you have left your job, not joined any new company, and want your pension out, you must fill Form 10C in addition to Form 19 (PF withdrawal).
Tip: Do not attempt pension withdrawal if you joined a new job/company and your new PF is active.
Common Myths and Confusions Explained
Many employees see pension balances in their old passbook or Umang app and assume it is still withdrawable.
However, if your PF (and pension) has already been transferred to the new company, your old EPS money cannot be withdrawn.
- If you see your pension balance as zero or already transferred, it means your funds are not stuck—they’ve moved to your new PF account.
- Even if the passbook shows pension money, if you already settled/withdrew using correct forms, the display may be outdated due to PF office system error.
- Only under specific scenarios (see below) can you withdraw your pension. Otherwise, monthly pension starts at 58 years.
Practical Example:
Suppose in your passbook, after leaving your company, you see:
Suppose in your passbook, after leaving your company, you see:
- Total PF withdrawn ₹12,000
- Pension balance shown as ₹4,000
- Current balance: zero
If you already transferred funds to new PF or have new employment, this pension cannot be claimed as withdrawal, only as monthly pension after retirement age.
Step-by-Step PF Pension Withdrawal Guide
This section covers all actual steps, procedures, exceptions, and troubleshooting. Read carefully before applying online or offline in 2025.
1. Check your Eligibility and Status
- Log in to your EPF Member Home Portal using your UAN and password.
- Download your PF Passbook and see two balances:
- PF Balance: Withdrawable if not transferred or already claimed.
- Pension (EPS) Balance: Only withdrawable if not claimed and no new employment, or aged 58+ and applying for monthly pension.
- Verify whether you have a new employer/UAN activation or are genuinely unemployed for 2+ months. If not, do not apply for pension withdrawal.
2. Scenarios Where Pension Withdrawal is NOT Allowed
- If you switch to a new company and transfer PF/EPS funds, old pension balance is not withdrawable.
- If you only withdrew PF using Form 19, but did not fill Form 10C, your pension may remain stuck and shown in passbook. You must fill Form 10C (possibly offline) to get the EPS withdrawn.
- If employed, only PF advance can be claimed; EPS cannot be withdrawn.
Tip: Cross-check if your PF/EPS shows as “Transferred” or someone else settled your claim—then withdrawal is illegal and not possible.
3. Online Pension Withdrawal Process (for eligible candidates)
- Visit EPFO Member Portal, login with UAN.
- Go to “Online Services” > “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)”
- Fill complete details, verify KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank details should match EPFO records).
- Select Form 10C (Pension Withdrawal) option with Form 19.
- Submit claim; track status online.
- On successful verification/approval, amount is credited to your bank account.
Note: Only do this if you are genuinely unemployed or retiring, not simply switching jobs.
4. Offline Pension Withdrawal Process (Special Cases)
- If failed to withdraw EPS due to missing Form 10C (passbook shows pension but not withdrawn), visit your previous PF office physically.
- Request Form 10C (EPS withdrawal) from the PF office.
- Fill the form with accurate detail: Old PF ID/UAN, personal details, declaration, nominee, unemployment certificate.
- Attach copies of Aadhaar, PAN, cancelled cheque, declaration that no new employment exists.
- Submit to PF office; obtain acknowledgement slip.
- Track with local PF office after 7-21 days for settlement.
Important Forms for PF Pension Withdrawal
| Form Name | Purpose | Online/Offline |
|---|---|---|
| Form 19 | PF Final Settlement (main corpus) | Online/Offline |
| Form 10C | Pension Withdrawal (EPS portion) | Online / Only Offline if prior claim missing |
| Form 10D | Monthly Pension claim at 58+ years | Offline |
| Unemployment Declaration | Statement for jobless >2 months | Attach with Form 10C |
Practical Case Studies – Passbook & Claims Explained
Case 1 – PF and Pension Already Withdrawn, But Balance Still Shows
Sometimes, after you withdraw your PF and EPS using proper forms, passbook may still show some pension money. This is technically a system display error by PF office, due to delay in updating passbooks. If claim shows “Settled” in claim status, you need not worry—the balance will not be paid again.
Case 2 – PF Withdrawn, Pension Stuck Due to Missing Form 10C
You withdrew PF using only Form 19 but did not submit Form 10C. Now, your passbook shows pension money but you cannot withdraw online. Solution: Visit PF office, fill offline Form 10C, attach unemployment declaration, and claim the stuck amount manually.
Case 3 – Trying to Withdraw Pension While Employed
You are working in a new company; only want old pension withdrawn. This is not allowed under EPFO – you can only claim PF advance, not EPS withdrawal.
Key Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
- Don’t attempt EPS withdrawal while working at a new employer.
- Always fill Form 19 and Form 10C together when leaving the job and remaining unemployed.
- Don’t assume seeing a balance in passbook means money is still withdrawable.
- Cross-verify “settled” status for all claims.
- For monthly pension (at age 58+), use Form 10D, not 10C.
FAQs – Practical Troubleshooting
-
Q: My passbook shows pension balance, but claim says settled. Can I withdraw again?
A: No, it is just a delay in system update; claim is settled and no further withdrawal allowed. -
Q: I left my job, didn’t get new employment, but forgot to fill Form 10C. How do I get my pension?
A: Manually visit your PF office, fill offline Form 10C; attach unemployment declaration/cancelled cheque. -
Q: My pension money seems transferred to new company—can I withdraw?
A: No, once transferred, only monthly pension will be permitted after age 58. -
Q: How long does online pension withdrawal take?
A: Usually 3–21 days, depending on KYC and EPFO workload. -
Q: Can I claim PF advance and pension together?
A: Only if unemployed. If working, only advances permitted, not EPS withdrawal. -
Q: What documents are required for EPS withdrawal?
A: Aadhaar, PAN, UAN, cancelled cheque of bank, unemployment declaration, and accurate KYC.
Useful Links & Resources
- EPFO Member Home Portal (Official)
- PF Passbook Login
- EPFO Official Pension Scheme (EPS)
- Detailed Video Reference – Online PF Consultant (Oct 2025)
Disclaimer & Ethical Use
This article is intended for educational guidance only. Please verify your eligibility and consult local PF offices for practical claims or disputes. Do not attempt illegal withdrawals or submit false unemployment declarations. The guide is based on actual expert practices and legal norms as of October-November 2025.
Conclusion
The EPF/EPS pension withdrawal process is highly regulated and meant to secure your retirement, unemployment, or family protection in case of member death. Follow the step-by-step eligibility, procedural, and troubleshooting guides above to ensure legal, quick, and safe claim processing in 2025. If confused, always consult your local PF office or use official EPFO/Umang app facilities. For monthly pensions post-age 58, use Form 10D.
