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UAN ( Universal Account Number ) : Importance, Benefits, Services & Online Process

Team AckoJun 15, 2023

Traditionally, salaried employees had to maintain a physical record of their provident fund account. Thus, it was difficult to keep track of the contributions made through this method. However, after the process was digitised, things became much more convenient and easy with the help of the Universal Account Number (UAN). In this article, we will shed light on what UAN is and its uses. Take a look

Contents

What is UAN Number?
Importance of UAN in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) scheme
Overview of the process for obtaining a UAN
Who is eligible to obtain a UAN?
Documents required to open UAN
How to apply for a UAN
What are the benefits of having the UAN?
How to use the UAN
Common issues with UAN and how to resolve them
Frequently asked questions

What is UAN Number?

Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to each member of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in India. The UAN is used to facilitate online services such as checking the balance of an EPF account, downloading passbooks, and making claims for benefits such as withdrawals and pensions. It also helps to reduce the administrative burden for employers, as they do not have to maintain separate records for each of their employees' EPF accounts. Employees can get their UAN from their employer or from the EPFO website. Once you have your UAN, you can activate it by linking it to your EPF account and using personal details such as your name, date of birth, and mobile number. The UAN is a permanent number that remains the same throughout the member's working life, regardless of the number of times the member changes jobs.

Importance of UAN in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) scheme

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is an important aspect of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) scheme in India. It serves several important functions, including the following.

1. Facilitating online services

With a UAN, members can easily access their EPF account online and check their balance, download passbooks, and make claims for benefits such as withdrawals and pensions.

2. Linking multiple EPF accounts

A UAN allows an individual to link all their EPF accounts from different employers, making it easy to keep track of their savings and benefits.

3. Improving transparency and reducing administrative burden

The UAN helps reduce employers' administrative burden by eliminating the need to maintain separate records for each employee's EPF account. It also improves transparency by allowing members to access their account details and transactions online.

4. Streamlining the transfer process

When an employee changes jobs, the UAN helps streamline the transfer process by eliminating the need for the employee to keep track of multiple account numbers, which helps easily transfer funds and claims.

5. Enhancing security

UAN helps prevent fraud by ensuring each member has a unique and verified identification number. It also helps to ensure that the benefits of the EPF scheme reach the intended beneficiaries.

Overview of the process for obtaining a UAN

The following table gives an overview of getting a UAN for EPF.

Process	Description
Employer-Employee registration	The employer is responsible for registering employees with the EPFO and obtaining a UAN for each employee. The employer will provide the employee's details, such as name, date of birth, and PAN number, to the EPFO.
Allotment of UAN	Once the employer has registered the employee, the EPFO will allot a unique 12-digit UAN to the employee. This number will be sent to the employer, who will then provide it to the employee.
Activation of UAN	Once the employee has received the UAN, they need to activate it by linking it to their EPF account and personal details such as their name, date of birth, and mobile number. This can be done by visiting the EPFO's member portal and providing the required information.
Linking with EPF account	After activating the UAN, the employee will need to link it to their EPF account by providing their member ID, which the EPFO assigns to each employee. This will enable employees to access their EPF account details, including the balance and transactions, through the UAN.
Verification by Employer	After the employee links UAN to their EPF account, the employer will receive an SMS or email for verification of the employee's details. After that, the employee can access their EPF account online.

Who is eligible to obtain a UAN?

Any individual who is a member of the EPFO and has an active EPF account is eligible to obtain a UAN, regardless of whether they are a formal sector employee, self-employed, or an unorganised sector worker.

Documents required to open UAN

Account Information: You should have the account number, IFSC code, and branch name of your bank account ready.
ID Evidence: You need to provide a valid identification document with a photograph and national identity verification. Accepted documents include a driver's license, passport, voter ID card, Aadhaar card, and SSLC Book.
Proof of Address: You should provide a recent utility bill in your name, a rental/lease agreement, a ration card, or any of the aforementioned ID proofs that display your current address.
PAN Card: It is important that your PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card is linked to your UAN.
Aadhaar Card: Since Aadhaar is linked to a bank account and a mobile phone, it is mandatory to provide your Aadhaar card.
ESIC Card: If applicable, you will need to provide your ESIC (Employee's State Insurance Corporation) card.

Ensuring that you have these documents ready will facilitate the smooth registration process for your UAN, allowing you to manage your employee provident fund effectively.

How to apply for a UAN

Here are the steps to apply for UAN

Visit the EPFO website.
Click on the "Our Services" tab and select "For Employees".
Click on the "UAN Member e-Sewa" option.
Click on the "Activate UAN" button.
Enter your personal details, including your name, date of birth, and Aadhaar number.
Upload a scanned copy of your Aadhaar card and a recent passport-sized photograph.
Click on the "Submit" button.

Your UAN will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number and email address.

What are the benefits of having the UAN?

The benefits of having a Universal Account Number (UAN) for employees in India are as follows.

With the help of your UAN you can view your provident fund (PF) account details online, including your balance and transaction history.
It makes it easier for you to transfer your PF balance from one account to another when you change jobs.
You can apply for advances or withdraw your PF balance online using your UAN.
With the UAN, you will receive all the credit from your previous accounts and can also check your claim status.
You can also update your personal details, such as contact information and bank account details linked to your UAN.
Your UAN will remain the same throughout your working life, so you don't have to apply for a new number every time you change jobs.
By having UAN, you also receive SMS and email alerts of your transaction and balance status.

How to use the UAN

Once you have obtained your UAN from the Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in India, you can access various services related to your provident fund (PF) account online. For example.

Apply for advances or withdraw your PF balance online
Transfer your PF balance from one account to another when you change jobs
Check the status of your claim
Download your e-passbook, which contains all the transactions in your account

Common issues with UAN and how to resolve them

The following table lists the common issues with UAN and their solution.

Issue	Solution
UAN not activated	If your UAN is activated, your employer still needs to verify and update your KYC (Know Your Customer) details. To resolve this issue, you should contact your employer and request them to verify and update your KYC details.
Incorrect personal details	If the personal details linked to your UAN are incorrect, you may not be able to access your account. To resolve this issue, you should contact your employer and request them to correct your personal details.
Incorrect or outdated KYC details	If your KYC details (such as your Aadhaar number or bank account details) are incorrect or outdated, you may not be able to access your account. You should contact your employer to resolve this issue and request for an update of KYC details.
Incorrect UAN or password	If you have entered an incorrect UAN or password, you will not be able to log in to your account. To resolve this issue, you should check that you have entered the correct UAN and password, and if you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using the "Forgot Password" option on the UAN login page.
UAN is not linked to the PF account	If your UAN is not linked to your PF account, you will not be able to view your account details or access other services. You should contact your employer to resolve this issue and request them to link your UAN to your PF account.
Problem with online services	If you are facing any problem with online services provided by EPFO, you can contact EPFO customer care at the toll-free number 1800118005 or email [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about UAN.

Can I change my personal details linked to my UAN?

Yes, you can change your personal details linked to your UAN by visiting the official website of the EPFO and following the instructions provided for updating personal information.

How to retrieve a lost or forgotten UAN?

You can visit the UAN Member e-Sewa portal and click on the "Get UAN" button. The system will check if your details match the records of EPFO, and if it fits, it will send your UAN to your registered mobile number and email address.

How can I activate my UAN?

You can activate your UAN by visiting the official website of the EPFO and following the instructions provided. This typically involves providing personal details and linking your UAN with your EPF account.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.