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The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is set to introduce a major change for its millions of subscribers. A new mobile app is slated for launch soon, which will make withdrawing PF funds easier than ever before. A key highlight of this new app is the ability to transfer funds directly into a bank account via UPI. This is expected to eliminate the hassles associated with lengthy procedures and waiting periods. Currently, testing for this feature has been completed, and it is expected to be rolled out shortly.

**PF Withdrawals to Become Easier and Faster via UPI**

EPFO's new mobile app will focus on making the PF withdrawal process for users entirely digital and hassle-free. The app will be directly linked to the user's bank account and will integrate with other UPI applications, including BHIM. This will enable users to first transfer funds from their EPF account to their bank account and subsequently withdraw them with ease using UPI. Currently, the only available option for PF withdrawals is the online portal, a process that is both time-consuming and procedurally complex. With the introduction of this new system, the entire process can be completed within minutes, offering significant relief to millions of employees.

**Withdraw Up to 75% of Funds: Know the Rules**

Under this new feature, EPFO subscribers will be able to withdraw a maximum of 75 percent of their PF balance. However, according to the regulations, it will be mandatory to retain at least 25 percent of the amount in the account. This implies that it will not be possible to withdraw the entire balance in a single transaction. If an individual loses their job, the remaining 25 percent of the funds can be withdrawn after a waiting period of 12 months. According to officials, this rule has been implemented to ensure the security and stability of the fund. Currently, the EPFO manages a corpus of approximately ₹26 lakh crore and serves millions of subscribers; consequently, such regulatory measures are deemed essential.

**Claims Can Still Be Filed via the UMANG App**

Until the new EPFO app is fully launched, users can continue to process PF withdrawals through the UMANG app. While the UPI option is not yet available on this app, filing a claim using the traditional method remains a straightforward process. Users are required to register on the EPFO portal and utilize the UMANG app, after which they can submit their withdrawal applications directly from their mobile devices. It does not require logging in on a computer, and the entire process is mobile-friendly. As such, this option will remain quite useful for users until the new app is released.

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