EPF Scheme 2026: New PF Withdrawal Rules Explained

The government has notified a brand-new Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, which supersedes the decades-old EPF Scheme, 1952. It came into force on 29 June 2026, and it changes how and when you can take money out of your PF account while keeping your monthly contribution rate the same.

Quick answer: Yes, you can still withdraw your PF. The EPF Scheme 2026 keeps contributions at 12 percent from you and 12 percent from your employer. You can take a partial advance after 12 months of membership, but at least 25 percent of your contributions must stay in the account until final settlement at superannuation.

What changed: EPF Scheme 1952 vs EPF Scheme 2026

This is the fastest way to see what is different for your money. The new scheme was notified by G.S.R. 525(E) dated 29 June 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Feature	EPF Scheme 1952 (old)	EPF Scheme 2026 (new)
Governing law	Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 framework	Made under the Code on Social Security, 2020
Contribution rate	12 percent employee + 12 percent employer, 10 percent for notified establishments	Unchanged: 12 percent + 12 percent, 10 percent for notified establishments
When you can take an advance	Different waiting periods tied to each separate purpose	Eligible after completing 12 months of membership
Minimum balance rule	No single across-the-board minimum retention rule	Minimum 25 percent of contributions must stay until final settlement
Withdrawal purposes	Long list of separate advance purposes	Streamlined into broad heads such as illness, education, marriage and housing
Digital access	Mostly portal and form based	UPI-to-bank withdrawal and WhatsApp services being rolled out

Who this affects

Salaried employees who contribute to EPF every month through their employer.
New members who joined in the last year and want to know when they can first take an advance.
People planning a big expense such as a medical treatment, a wedding, a child's education, or buying or building a house.
Members nearing retirement who want to know the exit ages under the new scheme.

If you already have a PF account, your balance and Universal Account Number (UAN) carry forward. The new scheme governs the rules from 29 June 2026 onward.

What you can and cannot withdraw now

You can take a partial advance if:

You have completed 12 months of membership.
Your reason fits one of the specified needs, such as illness or medical treatment, education, marriage, or housing.
At least 25 percent of your contributions will still remain in the account after the advance.

What stays locked:

A minimum of 25 percent of your contributions must remain until final settlement. This is the biggest practical change to remember.
Full and final settlement is tied to the retirement and exit provisions in the scheme.

Final settlement is referenced in the scheme at these points:

Superannuation at age 58.
Early exit provisions from age 55.
On permanent or total incapacity for work.

The 25 percent minimum-balance rule is new. Even when you qualify for an advance, plan the amount so that a quarter of your contributions stays parked until you finally settle the account.

How to check and claim under the new scheme

Log in with your UAN on the EPFO member portal and confirm your KYC details, mobile number and bank account are correct and verified.
Check your PF balance so you know your total contributions and can calculate what 25 percent looks like for you.
Confirm you have crossed 12 months of membership before you apply for any advance.
Pick the correct purpose for your advance, such as illness, education, marriage or housing, and keep supporting documents ready.
Apply online and make sure the advance amount still leaves at least 25 percent of your contributions in the account.
Track the claim through the portal, and if the payment is stuck, follow up in writing and escalate if there is unreasonable delay.

EPFO has announced that PF withdrawals to a bank account through UPI, and member services over WhatsApp, are being rolled out. Use these once they are live in your region, but until then the member portal remains the main route.

If your genuine claim is delayed without explanation, you can use the Right to Information Act to ask your EPFO office for the status and the reason. See The RTI Playbook for how to frame a clear request.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still withdraw my PF under the EPF Scheme 2026?

Yes. The new scheme keeps partial advances and final settlement. You become eligible for an advance after 12 months of membership, and at least 25 percent of your contributions must stay in the account until final settlement.

Did my contribution rate change under the new scheme?

No. The rate is unchanged at 12 percent from the employee and 12 percent from the employer. The existing 10 percent rate continues for establishments notified by the central government.

What is the new 25 percent minimum balance rule?

Under the EPF Scheme 2026 you can take an advance up to your eligible balance, but a minimum of 25 percent of your contributions must remain in the account until you finally settle it, usually at superannuation.

For what reasons can I take an advance?

The scheme allows advances for specified needs such as illness or medical treatment, education, marriage and housing. The earlier long list of separate advance purposes has been streamlined into broad heads.

At what age can I finally settle my PF?

The scheme references superannuation at age 58, early exit provisions from age 55, and settlement on permanent or total incapacity for work.

Can I really withdraw PF using UPI now?

EPFO has announced that UPI-to-bank withdrawals and WhatsApp-based member services are being rolled out. Treat this as coming soon rather than guaranteed everywhere, and keep using the member portal until it is live for you.

Sources

Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, notified by G.S.R. 525(E) dated 29 June 2026, made under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Companion notifications: Employees' Pension Scheme 2026 (G.S.R. 526(E)) and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 2026 (G.S.R. 527(E)), same date.
Government of India announcement via newsonair.gov.in.
KPMG Flash News reading of the gazette notifications.

Reader signal

Was this article useful?

Tap once if it helped you. These counters show other citizens which pages are worth reading.

- views