EPFO News: A portion of almost every salaried individual's income is deposited into their PF (Provident Fund) account. Employees receive these funds upon retirement. However, under certain circumstances, these funds can also be withdrawn before retirement. But what happens if, for any reason, the bank account linked to your PF becomes inactive? What steps should you take in such a situation?

Why is it Essential to link an Active Bank Account?
Employees contribute to their PF with the expectation that these funds will come in handy should a need arise in the future. Furthermore, upon retirement, these funds serve as a financial support system during their old age. However, under any circumstance—whether for a withdrawal or any other transaction—you can only access the funds deposited in your EPF account if an *active* bank account is linked to it.

If an active bank account is not linked to your EPF, you may encounter difficulties or delays at the time of withdrawal. Therefore, ensure that the bank account linked to your EPF is indeed an active one.

Let's find out how you can check which bank account is currently linked to your EPF and how you can change it.

How to Check Which Bank Account is Linked?
To do this, first visit the EPFO ​​Member Portal for employees.
Log in to the portal by entering your login credentials.
Once logged in, you will be able to easily see which bank account is currently linked to your profile.
If you notice that the linked bank account is inactive, you should change it immediately.
This change can be effected directly through the EPFO ​​website itself.

How to Change the Bank Account?
First, log in to the EPFO ​​Member e-Seva Portal using your UAN (Universal Account Number) and password.
Now, click on the 'Manage' menu option.
Next, select the 'KYC' option.
Here, you will see several options; click on the 'Bank' option.
You can now enter your new bank account number. However, before making the change, ensure that the bank account you intend to link is currently active.
After entering the bank account number, you will need to enter the corresponding IFSC code.
Finally, click on the 'Save' option.

How Long Does It Take for the Account to Change?
The status of your bank details will appear as 'Pending' until both the bank and your employer have approved the request. Your bank account will be updated only after it has been approved.

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