EPFO member alert: Your nominee may lose provident fund, pension, other benefits if you make this little mistake

A lot of Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers might think that their e-nomination process is all set just because they filled out the online form. However, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made it clear that an e-nomination is not valid unless it is e-signed by the EPFO member. If you have submitted your EPF nomination form but have missed e-signing it using your Aadhaar authentication, it won’t be processed if something happens to you.

The e-nomination facility is an important step that helps family members and dependents receive EPF, Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) benefits without unnecessary delays. Here's what EPF members need to know.

In a social media post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the EPFO posted: “Have you also made this big mistake? E-nomination is not valid without e-sign. Complete your e-nomination with e-sign today.”




EPFO has cautioned members many times that e-nominations filed but not e-signed will not be acted upon in the case of an EPFO member's death.

A valid e-nomination allows nominees to claim the accumulated amount in the EPF account, pension benefits under EPS, and insurance benefits under the EDLI scheme. It also allows family members to submit claims online using OTP-based authentication linked to their Aadhaar.

How to file EPF e-nomination

The process involves a few simple steps:
Step 1: Visit https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/ and login to your EPF account using UAN number.
Step 2: Under the 'Manage' tab, select the 'e-nomination' option in order to make a nomination.
Step 3: On the next page, a pop-up window will ask, ‘Having Family?’
Step 3: Select Yes to add a nominee. For each family member, enter the Aadhaar number and other details required along with the share you want to grant him or her.
The details are verified against the name, date of birth and gender entered by the member.
Step 4: Now click on 'Save EPF Nomination'


How to e-sign the EPF nomination document

Go to the 'e-nomination' option under the 'Manage' tab once the details are saved successfully. To e-sign, click on the E-sign link.
After that, a new page will open. Select the checkbox. On the next page, enter an Aadhaar number or Virtual ID and press the verify button. After that, an OTP will be sent to a member's Aadhaar-linked mobile number. On entering the OTP and then pressing the submit button, nomination details will be saved in the database of EPFO.

Things to know about EPF nomination

Profile picture should be added in the EPF account.
Please keep the Aadhaar number and photo of the family member ready with you before you start filing.
Only a member who is not married and is not having any of the family members as mentioned above may nominate any other person irrespective of relation.
Only a member not having a spouse or children can nominate a person for pension contribution.
In case there is no spouse and no children, then only will the pension nomination link open and members can nominate one person.