Online transfer of PF accounts by August 15, 2013

Retirement fund body EPFO is likely to start online transfer of PF accounts on changing jobs by this Independence Day on August 15, a move that would benefit over 13 lakh such applicants every year.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started registering digital signatures of employers from Thursday which is a prerequisite for providing the facility and is expecting an overwhelming response from employers.

According to sources, EPFO is hopeful that a sizable number of firms would get their digital signatures registered in the next two weeks and the body can then launch the service.

The source said that the body is planning the launch of service to coincide with Independence day, which would be followed by an awareness campaign to make it popular.

signature in next 2 weeks.

According an an official, it would be very easy for these firms as they are already maintaining digital signatures for compliance like for Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The body had managed about 6.9 lakh establishments in 2011-12.

Once the service is launched, subscribers would be able to apply online for transfer claims through their employers. It has set up a central clearance house for the purpose.

During 2012-13, 107.62 lakh claims were settled, of which 88 per cent were processed within 30 days, as prescribed by the body's citizen charter.

EPFO expects 1.2 crore claims in 2013-14, including around 13 lakh PF transfer claims. It plans online settlements of about 10 lakh transfer claims of tech-savy applicants from industries such as IT, this fiscal.

The body has planned to reduce the time for transfer of PF account to three days through this online service.