What is PF and EPFO (Provident Fund)?
The Provident Fund (PF) is a retirement savings scheme run by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in India, where employee and employer both contribute a share of pay. Your UAN is the account number that follows you between employers.
How PF shows up in your pay
Part of your pay goes to PF every month as the employee share, and the employer adds its own share. In a salary breakup the employee share is a deduction from your monthly pay, so it lowers in-hand salary. The employer share counts in CTC but does not reach your account each month.
| Item | Where it appears |
|---|---|
| Employee PF share | Deduction on your payslip |
| Employer PF share | Part of CTC, not in-hand pay |
| Balance | Visible through your UAN on the EPFO member portal |
What to check
- Contribution rate. Check the current rate and the wage limit on the EPFO site rather than relying on a figure from an old offer.
- Your payslip. Compare the PF line with the amount in your offer breakup.
- Your passbook. Confirm that each month's contribution has been credited.
Common mistakes
- Comparing offers on CTC without asking how much of it is PF.
- Forgetting to give your UAN to a new employer.
- Assuming a job change closes your PF. The account stays linked to your UAN.
How it shows up for job seekers
When you compare offers, ask for the PF treatment in writing so you can work out your in-hand pay. See in-hand salary and CTC breakup.
Example
Check your UAN when you change jobs. Check the contribution rate on the EPFO site.
Related terms and guides
- CTC
- UAN
- In-hand salary
- ECR Full Form: Electronic Challan cum Return in EPF
- VPF Full Form and Meaning: Voluntary Provident Fund
Sources
- EPFO, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, https://www.epfindia.gov.in, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, page blocks automated reads so no figure is copied from it
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.