Archive · 12 Aug 2026
EPFO announces five big changes for salaried employees in 2026
EPFO is a big savings system in India where workers put aside money for their future.
This year, EPFO is making changes to make it easier and faster to use that money.
People who leave their jobs will soon get their final savings through automatic processing, with less paperwork.
Workers will use the Umang app to get their special account number, using face recognition to prove who they are.
When someone changes jobs, their savings will move to the new employer's account automatically.
Asking for the money will become much faster, usually within one or two days.
If pension payments are late without a good reason, extra interest will be paid for the delay.
Soon people will even be able to get their money through UPI apps like BHIM.
All these changes aim to make the system faster, safer, and simpler for everyone.
EPFO plans to extend auto-settlement to final PF withdrawal claims, a process currently limited to advance claims of up to ₹5 lakh.
UAN activation and generation have moved to the Umang app, which now requires Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.
PF balance transfers after switching employers will become automatic for Aadhaar-linked and KYC-compliant UAN holders.
Most fresh PF withdrawal claims are expected to settle the same day or within two days, while EPS 2026 sets a 20-day timeline for pension claims.
PF withdrawals via the BHIM app are expected to launch within about a month, crediting claims directly to UPI-linked bank accounts.
- Who
- Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO, and salaried employees who use EPF services.
- What
- Five EPFO changes: auto-settlement for final withdrawals, UAN activation via the Umang app, automatic PF transfers, faster claim settlement, and UPI/BHIM-based withdrawals.
- When
- 2026; some changes are already in effect, while BHIM-based withdrawals were announced in July and expected within about a month.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To make EPFO services faster, more digital, and streamlined for its members.
- Organization
- Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- Current auto-settlement limit
- Advance claims up to ₹5 lakh
- Pension claim timeline
- 20 days under EPS 2026
- Interest on delayed pension claims
- 12% annual
- UAN activation channel
- Umang app with Aadhaar Face Authentication
- Withdrawal settlement target
- Same day or within 2 days
- New withdrawal channel
- BHIM app (UPI-linked)
- EPFO Vishwas 2026
- Pending EPF damage cases settleable at reduced rates till 29 Dec