How to link your EPF UAN with your mobile number? A step-by-step guide

EPF stands as a pivotal financial tool in India, offering retirement savings and financial assurance to employees. For the safeguarding of your EPF account and the receipt of vital notifications, it is imperative to establish a link between your mobile number and your UAN.

 

Risk-averse investors have always preferred to set aside enough money in their employee provident fund (EPF) accounts owing to the comparatively high-interest rates. Since contributions to EPF accounts are decided on the basis of salary structure and nature of employment, it is obvious that salaried people had to go through the hassle of maintaining multiple EPF accounts. To ease the EPF opening, maintenance, claim and withdrawal process, the Universal Account Number (UAN) concept was introduced.

 

The UAN is a distinctive 12-digit identifier allocated to each EPF member. It is associated with all of the member’s EPF accounts, irrespective of the number of employers they may have worked for. This simplifies the process for members to monitor their EPF contributions and account balances, as well as facilitates the transfer of their accounts between different employers.

Listed below are some advantages of utilising the UAN for managing your EPF account:

 

Effortless monitoring: You can conveniently keep tabs on your EPF contributions and account balances from all your previous employers within a single platform.

 

Seamless transfer: When transitioning to a new job, you can effortlessly transfer your EPF account to your new employer, safeguarding your EPF contributions against loss or delay.

 

Digital accessibility: You can conveniently access your EPF account details via the EPFO member portal, allowing you to effortlessly review your balance, retrieve your passbook, and initiate claims.

 

However, many people complain about not getting regular updates regarding credits to their EPF accounts. Some are also unaware of the interest credited to their EPF balance amount. Due to insufficient information, others have raised questions regarding the security of their EPF investments.

Why link your UAN with your mobile number?

To put matters to rest, the government had advised the linking of mobile numbers with employees’ respective UANs. Connecting your mobile number with your UAN is crucial to enhance the security of your EPF account and to receive vital updates. Here are some advantages of associating your mobile number with your UAN:

 

Verification: Utilising your UAN and mobile number for authentication introduces an extra level of security to your EPF account. This approach employs two-factor authentication, necessitating users to furnish two distinct pieces of information to access their accounts. When employing UAN and mobile numbers for authentication, users are required to furnish both their UAN, which is a distinctive identifier assigned to each EPF member and the mobile number associated with their UANs.

 

This significantly raises the barrier for unauthorised individuals attempting to access your EPF account, even if they possess your UAN or password. Besides bolstering security, utilising UAN and mobile number authentication also serves as a deterrent against fraudulent activities. In summary, utilising UAN and mobile number authentication is a reliable and secure method for accessing your EPF account.

 

Enhanced security: Associating your mobile number with your UAN provides an additional level of security for your account. For instance, in case you forget your UAN password, you can reset it via your mobile number. Moreover, you will receive one-time password (OTP) notifications for all significant transactions, including withdrawals and transfers.

 

Notifications: The EPFO dispatches crucial notifications pertaining to your account to your registered mobile number. These notifications encompass details regarding your contributions, account balances, and the status of your claims.

 

Internet-based services: When your mobile number is linked, you gain access to a range of internet-based services concerning your EPF account, which include:

1. Verifying your account balance
2. Retrieving your passbook
3. Initiating withdrawal claims
4. Modifying your contact details
5. Updating your KYCinformation
6. Submitting e-nominations
7. Monitoring the progress of your claims
8. Requesting the transfer of your EPF account between employers

 

How to link your mobile number with your UAN?

To establish the connection between your mobile number and your UAN, please adhere to these steps:

• Visit the EPFO member portal.
• Log in to your account by providing your UAN and password.
• Navigate to the “Manage" section.
• Select the “Contact Details" option.
• Click on the “Change Mobile Number" button.
• Input your new mobile number and confirm it by re-entering it.
• Click on the “Get Authorisation PIN" button.
• An OTP will be dispatched to your newly provided mobile number. Insert the OTP into the designated field and click the “Submit" button.

Your mobile number will be successfully associated with your UAN. You can confirm this by reviewing your contact information within the "Manage" section of the EPFO member portal. It’s vital to ensure that your mobile number remains current in your EPF account. If you happen to change your mobile number, you can promptly update it through the EPFO member portal by following the aforementioned steps.