The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique identification number assigned by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to employees covered under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme. It helps employees manage and link their provident fund accounts throughout their working careers.
What is UAN?
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique number issued by EPFO to employees enrolled in the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme. The UAN acts as a permanent identifier that links multiple PF member accounts created during an employee's career with different employers.
UAN helps employees manage their provident fund records more easily when changing jobs. Instead of maintaining separate provident fund identities with each employer, employees can use a single UAN to keep their EPF records connected.
For employers and payroll teams, UAN supports provident fund administration, statutory compliance and accurate employee record management. Maintaining correct UAN information helps ensure EPF contributions are processed correctly.
Things to know
- UAN is issued by EPFO for employees covered under the EPF scheme.
- Employees generally retain the same UAN throughout their working careers.
- UAN helps link multiple PF member accounts across different employers.
- Accurate UAN records help support EPF administration and statutory compliance.
- Employees can use their UAN to access and manage EPF-related information online.
- Payroll systems can help manage UAN information and statutory contribution records.
FAQs
Is a UAN the same as a PF account number?
No. UAN is a permanent identifier assigned to an employee, while a PF account number is linked to a specific employment relationship and employer. Multiple PF account numbers can be linked to a single UAN.
Can an employee have more than one UAN?
No. Employees should generally have only one UAN throughout their career. If duplicate UANs are created, they should be merged or corrected through the appropriate EPFO process.
What happens when an employee changes jobs?
When an employee changes employers, the new PF member account can be linked to the existing UAN, helping maintain continuity of EPF records and contributions.
What information do employers need to maintain for UAN-related administration?
Employers should maintain accurate employee information, including UAN details and other statutory records, to support EPF administration, payroll processing and compliance requirements.
Can payroll software help manage UAN-related information?
Yes. Payroll and HR systems can help maintain employee UAN records, support EPF administration, improve data accuracy and simplify statutory reporting processes.
How can employees find their UAN?
Employees can obtain their UAN from their employer, salary records, EPFO communications or the EPFO member services portal, subject to applicable access requirements.
