The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) is a retirement benefit programme provided by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It is specifically created to benefit those who earn a salary. Under this scheme, an employee can invest a percentage of his monthly income and his employer pays an equal amount to his EPS account during the term of the employment.
Two crucial documents to use while changing employment and transferring/withdrawing funds from your pension account are the EPF Form 10C and the scheme certificate.
See also: Form 19 in EPFO: Withdrawal claim form
What is Form 10C?
To submit a claim for benefits under the Employee Pension Plan, use Form 10C. If you switch jobs, you can use Form 10C to transfer the same EPS account to your new employer. Nevertheless, after 180 days of continuous duty but before reaching 10 years of service, you can only withdraw the pension using Form 10C. In conclusion, you must submit Form 10C to continue receiving the scheme’s advantages and being a member of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF).
Form 10C in EPFO: Qualifications for applications
Three categories comprise the requirements for Form 10C applications:
Eligibility requirements I
- You left your employment before serving for ten years.
- You have reached the age of 58 before completing your ten years of service.
Eligibility requirements II
- At the time of application, you have served for 10 years but are under 50 years.
- You are older than 50 but not older than 58 and don’t want to accept a lesser pension.
Eligibility criterion III:
Family members, nominees, and legal heirs of a dead member who passed away after turning 58 but had less than ten years of service left.
Form 10C in EPFO: Benefits
Categories I and III of members are eligible to apply for withdrawal benefits.
A member who falls under category II qualifies for a scheme certificate. If a person falls under category II (b), they may submit an application using Form 10D if they are prepared to accept a lower pension. Using Form 10D, a member who left the military owing to a persistent disability may request a disablement pension.
Form 10C in EPFO: What is an EPS Scheme Certificate?
The EPS amount is transferred to a new account using the EPFO-issued Scheme Certificate upon changing jobs. The certificate includes your job history and is considered a legitimate service record. Also, it contains information about your family and candidates.
Transferring EPS money is optional unless your service time is over 180 days but less than 10 years. Nevertheless, after your service time surpasses 9.5 years and you are under 50 on the application date, you can only transfer your pension from one account to another using the EPS Scheme Certificate.
Form 10C in EPFO: Details
This 4-page document is the EPF Form. In most situations, you just need to fill out the first two forms, but the third page will also need to be completed if you have made any advance claims against your EPF account. The final page is optional because it is only for administrative needs. Let’s go over the portions of the Form 10C:
First page
Name
Born on [date]
If you are married, the name of your father or your spouse
Address of the employer
Your account number with PF
Date of employment with your company
Date and cause of departure
Address in full of your employer
Second page
Information about the nominees’ families
Remittance method
Signature and date
Age and account specifics for remittances information
Third page
Paid in full Salary information
Details on non-contributory services
Signature and date
Form 10C in EPFO: How can I complete the form online?
If you change jobs, you can withdraw your pension using Form 10C or transfer it to an account with your new company. However, after at least six months of continuous work but before completing ten years, you can only take your pension amount while changing jobs. The procedure for this is detailed below:
Step 1: Enter your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password to access the EPF Member Portal.
Step 2: On the site, choose “Claim (Form – 31, 19 and 10C)” from the “Online Services” menu.
Step 3: Check your employment KYC and member data on the next page.
Step 4: Provide your bank account number’s last four digits for validation.
Step 5: Acknowledge the terms and conditions of the “Certificate of Undertaking.”
Step 6: Click “Just Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C)” in the “I Want to Apply For” area at the bottom of the next page.
Step 7: Following the completion of your full address, click the “Get Aadhaar OTP” button.
Step 8: Click “Validate OTP and Submit Claim Form” to validate the OTP you will get on your Aadhaar-registered cellphone number.
Upon EPFO’s verification, you will receive the money in your bank account.
Form 10C in EPFO: How can I fill out the form offline?
You can first download Form 10C if you want to follow an offline method. Then properly complete the form and deliver it to the closest EPFO office.
Procedure for attestation
Depending on the situation, you or your employer must certify the EPF Form 10C:
- If you submitted your application using a form obtained from a centre, your former employer must certify it.
- Both you and your employers must certify the EPF Form 10C if you obtained it online.
- You will require the attestation of one of the authorised officials listed below if your prior establishment is closed and the authorised signatory/employer is not readily available:
- Magistrate
- Gazetted Officer
- Post/Sub-postmaster
- President of village union
- President of the Village Panchayath, if and when Union Board is not present
- Member of the Legislative Assembly or Parliament
- Head of a reputable academic institution
- Manager of the bank where you hold a savings bank account
- Chairman/Secretary/Member of Municipal/District Local Board
- Member of the Employees Provident Fund’s Regional Committee and Central Board of Trustees
Form 10C in EPFO: Documents required for application attachment
- Unused/blank cheque
- If the member is deceased, a death certificate
- Whenever requesting withdrawal benefits through a bank, the legal heirs of the member must submit a succession certificate with an Rs. 1 stamp.
- While applying for a scheme certificate, children must submit birth certificates with their applications.
FAQs
How can I withdraw my EPF pension contributions?
With Form 10C, you can withdraw your EPF pension contribution. Read Form 10 C's eligibility requirements before using it.
When may I submit a form 10C claim?
After attaining the age of 58 years, you can submit Form 10C to seek an EPF withdrawal. You can also withdraw your pension after 180 days of continuous service but before completing 10 years.
Do I need to submit Form 10C each time I change my job?
Yes. While Form 10C is required to transfer and withdraw the EPS amount, you must submit it whenever you change employment, regardless of how many times you do so. It is necessary only when your new firm is covered by the EPF Act of 1952.
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