EPFO: PF deducted but not deposited? Here's how employees can check and report missing contributions

New Delhi: Employees working in establishments enrolled under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) generally receive their salaries after the PF amount has been deducted. The employer is responsible for submitting its own contribution as well as the employee's contribution to the EPFO. Employees should keep checking their passbooks since a deduction mentioned in the payslip does not necessarily mean the money has reached the PF account.

Though the account may take some time to reflect the deposited amount, it must be ensured that the rightful contribution has been submitted by the employer. If PF contributions are missing, it may impact the employee's retirement savings.

A PF is a government-backed savings scheme that accumulates a corpus for retirement. Contributions to the PF are made by both the employer and the employee. Though the actual contributions made by the two are equal, a portion of the employer's contribution also goes towards the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), wherever applicable. PF is thus a person's earnings and not an additional incentive. Therefore, any miscalculation in the amount or missed contribution should be promptly addressed.

How to check EPF balance

Employees should regularly check their EPF balance and match it with their payslips to track any inconsistency. This can be done by visiting the EPFO member portal and following a few simple steps.

-- Log in to the EPFO member passbook portal using the Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.

-- Select the Member ID linked to the concerned employer.

-- Check your and your employer's contributions.

-- Compare the contributions with the monthly payslips to look for any discrepancy.

Every employer has a unique Member ID. Therefore, employees who have worked at different establishments should check the contributions under different Member IDs. A missed contribution may go unnoticed for a long period, which could be particularly troublesome when a person has changed employment.

Actions to be taken

Establishments generally have until the 15th of the following month to file the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR), which is generated after the deposits have been made to the PF accounts.

It may take some time for the contributions to be updated in the passbook, leading to a delay in reflecting them or there could be potential system related issues. However, if the contributions remain missing after the deadline has passed, the employer must take the necessary action.

• Contact HR: Inquire whether the ECR has been filed and payment has been made to the EPFO. Keep payslips showing the deductions and copies of the EPF passbook with missing contributions as proof.
•  Approach EPFO: In case the HR department's response is not satisfactory, a complaint can be filed on the EPF i-Grievance Management System (EPFiGMS) at https://epfigms.gov.in/.
• Alternate option: An employee can alternatively approach the regional EPFO office or contact the EPFO helpline number 14470.

To avoid any major loss of PF funds, it is crucial to periodically assess one's EPFO passbook and match it with the payslips. Prompt action must be taken when a discrepancy is found.