Your Provident Fund (PF) is more than just retirement savings—it’s money you can use for big life moments. Whether you are changing jobs, facing an emergency, or planning a major milestone like buying a home or funding education, your PF is there to support you.
You can now withdraw your PF online in minutes—securely, digitally, and without needing employer approval. You don’t need to deal with paperwork or long queues anymore.
Before moving ahead with the article, here are important things to know:
- Full PF withdrawal is allowed only after 2 months of unemployment or on retirement.
- Partial withdrawals are permitted for specific needs—medical emergencies, education, marriage, or buying a house.
- You can even withdraw up to 75% of your PF after just 1 month of unemployment.
If you are planning for a big life goal, don’t break your PF, park your additional savings in a Bajaj Finance FD and earn up to 7.30% p.a. returns. Check FD Rates.
Key Highlights
Before moving ahead with the article, here are important things to know:
Full PF withdrawal is allowed only after 2 months of unemployment or on retirement.
Partial withdrawals are permitted for specific needs—medical emergencies, education, marriage, or buying a house.
You can even withdraw up to 75% of your PF after just 1 month of unemployment.
If you are planning for a big life goal, don’t break your PF, park your additional savings in a Bajaj Finance FD and earn up to 7.30% p.a. returns. Check FD Rates.
What is the PF Withdrawal Limit?
There is no fixed upper limit on how much you can withdraw from your EPF. You may withdraw the full amount or only a part of it, depending on the conditions set by the EPFO.
1. Full Withdrawal
You can withdraw your entire EPF balance only in cases of unemployment or retirement.
If you become unemployed, you can withdraw 75% of your PF balance immediately, and the remaining 25% after 12 months of unemployment.
Pension (EPS) withdrawal, however, is allowed 36 months after unemployment.
Condition-wise withdrawal rules:
Condition |
Withdrawal Limit |
Unemployment |
75% of PF after unemployment + remaining 25% after 12 months |
Pension |
Withdrawal allowed after 36 months of unemployment |
Note: To withdraw 100% of your PF, you must be unemployed for at least 2 months. People switching jobs cannot claim the full amount during this transition period.
2. Partial Withdrawal
Partial withdrawals are allowed only for specific purposes, each with set limits and conditions.
Medical Treatment
Limit: Least of (a) 6 months’ basic wages + DA, or (b) employee’s share with interest
Minimum service: 12 months
For: Self or family medical treatment
Education
Limit: Up to 10 withdrawals for children's post-matric education
Minimum service: 12 months
Marriage
Limit: Up to 5 withdrawals for marriage of self, children, or siblings
Minimum service: 12 months
Land Purchase / House Construction / EMI Repayment
Limit: Up to 90% of EPF balance
Minimum service: 12 months
Condition: Property must be in the name of the member, spouse, or jointly owned with spouse
Home Renovation
Limit: Least of:
12× monthly wages + DA
Employee share + interest
Cost of renovation
Minimum service: 12 months
Conditions:
Home must be owned by member/spouse/jointly
Can be used twice: after 10 years of completion and again before retirement
Pre-Retirement Withdrawal
Limit: Up to 90% of balance with interest
Eligibility: After turning 54 years old and within one year of retirement/superannuation
Special Cases
You can withdraw the entire employee share + interest if:
The company has been closed for more than 15 days and employees are jobless without compensation
You haven’t received salary for over 2 consecutive months (for reasons other than strike)
Minimum service: 12 months