Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) plays a vital role as a retirement savings scheme for eligible employees in the private sector. Both employer and employee contribute 12 per cent of the basic pay every month towards the EPF and the accumulated sum earns interest annually.

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However, there might be occasions when the PF amount shown in your salary slip is not credited to your EPF account managed by Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Here's a guide to what could have happened and what you can do if your PF amount is deducted from your salary but not deposited into the EPF account.

What to Do If the EPF amount is not credited?

If the provident fund (PF) amount mentioned in your salary slip is still not credited to your EPF account after the stipulated time, there are several steps that you can take.

Firstly, visit the EPFO or UAN website to check your EPF balance. This will help you understand whether the amount deducted from your salary has been deposited by your employer. 

If there's a substantial delay in the EPF credit, get in touch with your employer. It's possible that the employer might have deducted but not paid your EPF contributions, which is a criminal offense. If the employer does not deposit the PF amount you can lodge a grievance with the EPFO through the EPF grievance portal.

You'll need to provide your EPF account number, UAN, and personal details. You can describe your issue in detail, and the EPFO will take necessary action.

Employer deductions and legal protections

Employees are protected by the law from any wrongful deductions by their employers. As per the EPF Act, 1952, an employer cannot reduce the wages of an employee for EPF payments. If an employer deducts but does not contribute to the EPF, the law provides remedies for the employee.

Moreover, if there are any delays in employer contributions, employees will receive full interest from the due date. Even a software upgrade delaying the crediting of interest into EPF accounts does not result in a loss of interest rate for the subscribers.

Updating Your EPF Details and PF Transfer

EPF subscribers can update their details, such as name, through the EPFO UAN portal. It is vital to ensure that your details are accurate to prevent issues like claim rejection.

Moreover, the EPFO provides an option for employees to transfer their PF from one company to another when they switch jobs, using their UAN. This helps maintain their long-term savings, and it is a more recommended choice compared to closing the account.