Overview

• The Labour Ministry confirmed EPFO members can withdraw 75% of their provident fund immediately after leaving a job, with full withdrawal permitted after one year of unemployment.
• Thirteen partial-withdrawal provisions have been consolidated into a single framework with three broad categories covering essential needs, housing needs and special circumstances.
• Withdrawals now include the employer contribution in addition to the employee contribution and interest, raising the amount accessible under the new rules.
• Eligibility for partial withdrawals is standardized at 12 months, with simpler paperwork under the special circumstances category to reduce claim rejections.
• Final PF settlement is now allowed after 12 months without employment and pension-account withdrawals after 36 months, while the Central Board of Trustees mandates retaining 25% to preserve retirement corpus.