No EPF nominee? How PF money can be paid after EPFO member's demise

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is one of the largest social security schemes in the world in terms of volume of transactions. Both employees and employers contribute 12 percent of the worker’s dearness allowance and base salary to the EPF. The fund allows members to nominate people to receive Provident Fund accumulations and pension payments in the case of the account holder’s death. In case a member has not nominated anyone, the rules allow for the immediate family or heir to withdraw the accumulated amount.

If there is no nominee, here’s how the PF money will be paid:

In case the EPF member did not choose a nominee, the PF money is “payable to the family members in equal shares, under Para 70(ii) of EPF scheme, 1952. If there is no eligible family member, it is payable to the person(s) who are legally entitled to it,” as per the EPFO’s website.

In case there is no valid nomination and no family, the money will be transferred to the dependent parents (father, followed by mother).

What documents are required to withdraw money after the death of an EPF member?

A nominee needs to submit the EPF Form 20 with all necessary details to claim the money. Apart from that, the applicant must these documents:

• Copy of blank/cancelled cheque.
• Guardianship certificate.
• Death certificate

Form 5(IF) to claim benefits under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme. This is valid if the member had died while in service. It is applicable if the establishment under which the member was working at the time of demise was not exempted under the EDLI Scheme at that moment.

Form 10C for withdrawing benefits if the member had passed away after 58 years of age and had not finished 10 years of service as of the date of reaching the age.

 Form 10D for pension benefits claim if the claimant is a family member (child/spouse below 25 years of age on demise of EPF member). The form can also be submitted by dependent parents in case the EPF member had no family at the time of death and had not put forward any nominees.  

How can a family member/nominee/legal heir withdraw PF money in case of demise of a member?

Step 1: Submit the EPF form 20 along with the other documents.

Step 2: The claimant will receive SMS alerts as their form clears at different stages. They can also visit the EPFO website to check the status of their claim.

Step 3: After the claim is cleared by the EPFO, the money will be deposited in the applicant’s bank account directly.