If you have a PF account, this one step can save your family from major trouble later.
EPFO advises all members to add a nominee so that loved ones can claim PF, pension, and insurance benefits without unnecessary delays.
Why adding a nominee is important
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is one of the most important retirement savings schemes for salaried employees in India.
Every month, both the employee and the employer contribute to the EPF account, helping build a retirement corpus.
To ensure this money reaches the right person without hassle, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recommends that every member complete the nomination process.
What happens if there is no nominee?
If an EPF member passes away without adding a nominee, the money in the PF account and the insurance benefits are not lost. However, claiming these benefits becomes much more complicated.
In such cases, family members or legal heirs must submit several documents to prove their eligibility. According to EPFO rules, the EPF amount is shared equally among all eligible family members. If there are no eligible family members, the amount is paid to the person who is legally entitled to receive it.
Claim process may take longer
EPFO usually settles claims with complete documents within seven days. But when there is no nominee, the process can take much longer because of additional verification and paperwork.
EPFO also warns that if an EPF account remains unclaimed for three years, it becomes an inoperative account. That is why family members and legal heirs should file claims as soon as possible.
Who is considered a family member?
EPFO has separate definitions of eligible family members for male and female members.
For male members, the family includes the wife, children (married or unmarried), parents, and the deceased son’s widow and her children.
For female members, the family includes the husband, husband’s parents, children (married or unmarried), her own parents, and the deceased son’s widow and her children.
Complete e-Nomination online
EPFO allows members to complete the e-Nomination process online, making it easier for families to claim EPF, Employee Pension Scheme (EPS), and insurance benefits without visiting an EPFO office.
To complete e-Nomination, the member’s UAN should be linked with Aadhaar.
The Aadhaar-linked mobile number, updated personal details, nominee’s Aadhaar, bank account details, and photograph are also required on the EPFO portal.
Completing e-Nomination is a simple step that can save your family from lengthy paperwork and delays in receiving your EPF benefits in the future
