In a major relief for those EPF subscribers who are struggling to withdraw their PF money due to overlapping service periods in the records of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the retirement fund body has clarified that transfer claim requests made by members cannot be rejected by the regional offices due to the issue of overlap in service periods of members.
Finally, the EPFO has solved this big problem related to PF transfer. So now your claim will not be directly rejected due to overlapping service periods (when the dates of working in two companies clash with each other).
“It has been observed that transfer claim requests are being rejected due to the issue of overlap in service periods by the regional offices. However, overlapping in services can occur due to genuine reasons, and therefore, the same should not be considered to be a disqualification per se in effecting transfers,” the EPFO said in a circular issued on May 20.
Also read: EPFO New Rules 2025: 5 key conditions you have to fulfill to withdraw PF money
How do service overlap periods occur in EPFO records?
Many times it happens that two companies have registered the dates of working at the same time – that is, the service period overlaps. This is not a fraud, but due to a technical glitch or mistake, EPFO used to directly reject such claims. This caused a lot of trouble for the employees.
Most of the time, service overlap in EPFO occurs if a member has two EPF accounts with the same or different companies during the same service period. This leads to confusion and discrepancies in the EPF records of the member.
Reasons for overlapping of service periods in EPF records
There can be multiple reasons for this: Anonymous account being added to UAN mistakenly, wrong joining/exit dates in employer records, member leaving a job without formal resignation, member joins a new company while old company shows him/her as absconding.
What has EPFO done to handle the overlapping service period issue?
In this regard, the pension division has also provided the modalities of EPS entitlement of members having multiple account numbers.
“Therefore, the transfer claim requests are required to be processed by the Transferor (Source) Office even though there may be overlapping services without returning or rejecting the same. Only in cases where a genuine need is felt to clarify the overlapping of service, would the claims be processed after obtaining the requisite clarification,” the EPFO said in its circular.
“Further, the instructions issued regarding the responsibility cast on Transferor (Source) Offices to verify all details to ensure error-free transfer are reiterated,” it added.
Also read: EPFO new rules 2025: 5 major changes all EPF members need to know
What is PF transfer claim?
When an employee changes jobs, he wants that the PF money deposited in the old company should be transferred to the account of the new company. This process is called PF transfer claim.
Why is this important for employees?
This change has brought relief to lakhs of EPFO members. Now there is no fear of their money getting stuck or claim getting rejected just because of small technical mistakes. Simple: Now the process of PF transfer has become more transparent, humane and easy.
If you have recently changed your job or are about to do so, then it is very important for you to understand this rule – so that you can carry forward your PF without any worries.