EPFO 2025: Major Reforms You Should Know About

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has entered the new year with a series of major reforms aimed at benefiting its crores of members. With a clear focus on convenience, digitization, and transparency, EPFO has introduced important changes that simplify processes like updating profiles, transferring PF when switching jobs, managing pensions, and more. Let’s understand these changes.  

1. Profile Updating Made Easier

Earlier, updating your personal details in EPFO records could be a lengthy and confusing process. Now, it has become much simpler and faster. If your Universal Account Number (UAN) is linked with Aadhaar, you can now update crucial information, such as your name, date of birth, gender, nationality, parents’ names, marital status, spouse information, and employment start and end dates, online without needing to upload any documents. 

However, if your UAN was issued before 1 October 2017, you may still need your employer’s approval to update certain details. 

2. Easier PF Transfer While Changing Jobs

Transferring your Provident Fund (PF) when switching jobs has often been a pain point for many employees. Addressing this, EPFO issued new instructions on 15 January 2025 to simplify the PF transfer process. 

Now, in specific cases, you do not need the approval of either your previous employer or your new employer for transferring your PF. 

This ease applies if: 

• Your Member IDs are linked to the same UAN (linked with Aadhaar and issued after 1 October 2017), or 

• Two different UANs are linked to Aadhaar with matching details (name, date of birth, gender). 

Even if one UAN was issued earlier and the other later, as long as Aadhaar details match, the PF transfer will happen smoothly without needing approvals. 

3. Simplified Joint Declaration (JD) Process

The Joint Declaration (JD) process, which is essential for correcting certain employee details, has also been overhauled. EPFO released new guidelines on 16 January 2025, replacing the earlier SOP 3.0. 

Now, members have been divided into three categories: 

• UAN linked to Aadhaar: Can submit JD online. 

• Old UAN verified with Aadhaar: Also eligible for online JD. 

• Non-verified UAN, no Aadhaar link, or deceased members: Physical JD submission required. 

This categorisation has made the process quicker and more convenient for the majority of active members. 

4. New Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS)

From 1 January 2025, EPFO has launched a Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS). Under this system, pension payments are now processed centrally and sent directly to pensioners’ bank accounts through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) platform. 

This removes the need to transfer the Pension Payment Order (PPO) between regional offices, leading to faster and more transparent pension disbursements. 

Moreover, linking UAN with Aadhaar has now become mandatory for issuing a new PPO. This will make it easier for pensioners to submit Digital Life Certificates (Jeevan Pramaan) online, without physically visiting any office. 

5. Clear Guidelines on Higher Pension

EPFO has also issued clear policies for members who are drawing or wish to draw pension based on their higher salary (above the basic wage limit).
Based on feedback from various regional offices, EPFO has decided: 

• Pension will now be calculated uniformly for all pensioners. 

• Exempted organizations must fully comply with EPFO trust regulations. 

• Recovery of dues and payment of arrears will be handled as two separate processes. 

The objective is to ensure uniformity, transparency, and compliance with legal procedures, removing ambiguity for employees and pensioners alike. 

6. New Form 13 Introduced for Faster PF Transfers and Clear Tax Compliance

The EPFO has introduced an updated version of Form 13 to make the transfer of EPF accounts smoother when members switch jobs. Previously, employees required approvals from both the old (transferor) and new (transferee) employers for PF transfers. With the new system, once the previous employer approves the transfer, the PF balance will automatically move to the new employer.  

In addition to this, EPFO has made another important update to Form 13 by clearly separating the interest deposited in the PF account into taxable and non-taxable categories. This improvement will simplify the tax compliance process for members and EPFO alike, ensuring accurate calculation of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and minimizing errors during future tax filings. 

Also Read: EPFO: Auto Withdrawal Limit May Increase to ₹5 Lakh; Know Tax on Withdrawal! 

Conclusion 

These major changes by EPFO mark a significant step towards modernisation and employee convenience. Whether it’s updating your profile, transferring PF seamlessly when you change jobs, simplifying pension processing, or providing clarity on higher pensions, EPFO is making services faster, digital, and more transparent. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.