Source: Mint
While changing jobs has always been a typical part of professional life, for many employees, transferring their Provident Fund (PF) balance from one employer to another has been a lengthy, confusing process. Now the government has come out with a reform to make this process quicker, more straightforward, and more transparent.
On September 18, 2025, the Union Labour Ministry released a circular stating that employees may now download Annexure K directly from the EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) Member Portal. This is aimed at removing a significant hurdle in PF transfers.
What is different?
To date, Annexure K—the primary transfer certificate—was only circulated between PF offices. If an employee wanted a copy, they had to make a distinct request, which typically delayed the request.
Under the new regulation, Annexure K will be accessible online in PDF format to all members. This means employees can download the document themselves without relying on the PF office or previous employers. The ministry said the change was made “With a view to enhance transparency and ensure greater convenience for PF members, the Transfer Certificate in Annexure K has now been made available for download in the Member Portal for convenience.”
Why is Annexure K significant?
Annexure K is a legal document utilized in a PF transfer. It verifies that the PF balance and pension service of an employee have been transferred from the old PF account to the new PF account.
The certificate will include:
- Member Details
- PF balance with interest
- Service History
- Job Details, including dates of joining and exit
- Old and New Member IDs
This document is required for the PF field office or trust to accurately complete the transfer.
The previous way
In the past, if employees changed jobs, they had to fill out Form 13 online to commence the PF transfer. Once the PF transfer was initiated, the old PF office was responsible for preparing Annexure K and sending it to the new PF office. The certificate was seldom issued directly to employees, making it difficult to know the status of the transfer.
Advantages of the new rule
The reform brings a number of advantages to PF members:
Immediate access to Annexure K without having to request the document or wait for it.
Immediate transfer since employees can download the required certificate right away.
Transparency as members can check their own balance, service history, and dates.
Convenience as the entire process is available online with a few clicks.
How to download Annexure K
To download Annexure K online, an employee must:
1. Log in to the EPFO Member Portal.
2. Go to Online Services.
3. Select Track Claim Status.
4. Select Download Annexure K.
5. Save as a PDF for reference.
Conclusion
This alteration is a significant enhancement for employees who change jobs and experience delays in transferring their PF. The FAQ section of the EPFO website, which allows members to download their Annexure K while still working at a previous employer, has simplified, expedited, and increased the transparency of the process, thereby facilitating a smoother job transition experience for employees across India.
