November 03, 2025
5 mins read
The term itself sounds a little too formal, doesn’t it? Member ID. Almost like you’re being signed into some exclusive club. But really, in the world of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), your Member ID is nothing more than a tag — a unique number that ties your savings to a particular employer.
Every time you switch jobs, this tag changes. New company, new ID. Which means if you’ve worked with four employers over the years, you’ll have four different Member IDs floating around in the system. The part that doesn’t change, though, is your Universal Account Number (UAN). That’s the umbrella under which all your Member IDs neatly sit.
So in a way, your Member ID in EPF is like your seat number on a train — it tells the system where exactly you belong during that journey with a specific employer. The UAN, on the other hand, is the whole railway pass you carry for life.
I’ve met many people who confuse UAN and Member ID. And honestly, I don’t blame them — the jargon can get frustrating. To put it simply, UAN stays the same forever, but the Member ID changes whenever you shift jobs. If you were at Company A, you got one. Move to Company B, and you’ll get another.
Why does this matter? Because each Member ID helps track contributions made by a specific employer. It’s how you check balances, verify your employment history, and eventually move your funds when you change jobs. Even withdrawals and advances need this number. Without it, your retirement savings would feel scattered — like pages from a diary without a date stamp.
Now here’s where it gets a bit technical. A Member ID in EPF isn’t just a random number; it’s a carefully coded 22-digit identifier. At first glance, it looks like a jumble, but break it down, and it makes sense:
State Code: Tells you the state of the EPF office. Example: MH for Maharashtra.
Region/Office Code: Which regional office is handling things, like PUN for Pune.
Establishment ID: Your employer’s registration with the EPFO.
Extension Code: Not always there, but used if the company has sub-units.
Member Number: This is your personal identifier under that employer.
So an ID might look like this: MH/PUN/123456/000/7890. Sounds complicated, but it’s basically an address that directs your EPF money to the right drawer. Change your job, and while your UAN stays the same, the Establishment ID and Member Number parts of this code will change.
This is where many people get stuck — “I don’t even know my Member ID.” But it’s not that hard. A few simple places to check:
Check Your Payslip
Many employers mention it directly in your payslip under ‘PF Number’. That’s an easy place to spot it.
Visit the EPFO Portal
Head to the official site, use the “Know Your UAN” option, and verify with OTP. The system will show you all the Member IDs linked to your UAN.
Use the UMANG App
On UMANG, select EPFO services, log in with UAN and OTP, and you’ll see your list of Member IDs alongside your passbook.
Contact Your Employer
HR usually has these details handy. If the digital route feels messy, a quick check with your employer works.
Call EPF Helpline
Dial 1800-118-005, give your UAN or registered mobile number, and you’ll get your Member ID details.
So why go through the trouble of remembering this number? Here’s why it matters in everyday EPF management:
Tracking Contributions
Each Member ID reflects the deposits made by one employer. It helps you verify that contributions are happening correctly.
Claiming Withdrawals
You’ll need the right Member ID details when applying for partial or full withdrawals.
Employment Verification
It acts like a record of where you’ve worked and for how long.
EPF Transfers
Switching jobs? You’ll need the old Member ID to move funds into the new account.
Resolving Discrepancies
If there’s ever a mismatch in your balance, this ID helps identify which employer’s contribution is missing.
It all sounds neat in theory, but in practice, a few common headaches crop up:
Multiple Member IDs
Frequent job changes mean multiple IDs. The trick is to ensure they’re all linked to your UAN.
Incorrect Member ID
A small mistake in the digits can lead to errors in contributions. Rectification usually needs EPFO or employer help.
Inactive Member ID
Left a job but never transferred your funds? That Member ID just sits inactive until you act.
Forgot Member ID
Happens more often than you think. Thankfully, the EPFO portal and UMANG app make retrieval easy.
Miscommunication with Employer
Sometimes HR and employees aren’t on the same page. Always confirm your ID when you start or leave a job.
Parameter | Member ID in EPF | UAN | Preference Shares |
Definition | Identifies your EPF account with a specific employer. | A unique, 12-digit number is assigned to you for all EPF accounts. | Optional or No Conversion |
Changes with Job | Yes, a new member ID is assigned to each employer. | No, UAN remains the same throughout your career. | Fixed |
Format | Includes region code, office code, establishment ID, and member number. | A simple 12-digit numeric code. | Usually No |
Linked Accounts | Multiple member IDs can be linked to one UAN. | Acts as a central hub for all EPF accounts. | Before equity shareholders |
Tracking | Tracks EPF contributions from a specific employer. | Tracks all EPF accounts under a single number. | Sometimes |
Member Number | A unique number assigned to you under that specific establishment. | High | Low to Moderate |
At the end of the day, your Member ID in EPF is like a bookmark in the story of your career. Every job you take adds another marker, while your UAN is the spine that holds the whole book together. Forgetting or ignoring it may not seem like a big deal at first, but when you need to transfer funds, withdraw savings, or even just check your balance, it becomes crucial. Keeping track of it is simply part of managing your retirement savings responsibly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Bajaj Broking Financial Services Ltd. (BFSL) makes no recommendations to buy or sell securities.
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Your Member ID in EPF is a unique number given to you by your employer to track your EPF contributions. Each time you switch jobs, you get a new member ID. It helps you monitor the contributions made under that specific employer.
Your Member ID in EPF is specific to each employer, while the UAN (Universal Account Number) is a single, permanent number that links all your EPF accounts across different jobs. The UAN stays the same even if your member ID changes.
You can find your EPF Member ID on your salary slip, through the EPFO portal, or by using the UMANG app. You can also ask your employer for the member ID, especially if you have switched jobs recently.
Yes, your Member ID in EPF is often called the PF number. Both refer to the same unique identifier that tracks your EPF contributions under a specific employer. Each job will have a different PF number linked to your UAN.
Yes, each time you change jobs, you get a new Member ID in EPF. However, all these member IDs are linked to the same UAN. This way, you can track all your EPF accounts under one universal number.
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