No EPF nominee? How PF money will be paid after EPFO member's death

Nomination is an essential part of the investment as they allow nominees to receive benefits and payments in the case of the death of the investor. Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) account allows nominees to receive a portion of PF accumulations, EDLI benefits, and pension payments in the case of a member's death.


Under the EPF scheme, both the employee and the employer contribute 12 per cent of the employee's base salary and dearness allowance. EPF deposits currently earn an annual interest rate of 8.1 per cent.


Members should ensure to nominate their nominees, who would get the PF amount to their credit as well as the pension. Nominations can be made for one or more persons belonging to his family duly mentioning the percentage of share.

Who can an EPF member add as a nominee?

According to EPF guidelines, any member who has a family may designate one or more family members as nominees. Additionally, a member without a family may suggest anyone else. However, this nomination will be void if the individual has a family.

If there is a nomination mentioned in the account, the department will pay the amount based on the percentage mentioned.

EPF e-nomination benefits
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has asked members to include e-nominations. The e-nomination assists in transferring the benefits of Employees' Provident Fund account holders to their dependents in the event of the account holder's untimely death. It enables nominees to access the account holder's EPF, Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) funds online.

If the EPF account has no nomination, how PF amount will be paid after the EPFO member's death?

According to the EPF FAQ page, “It is payable to the family members in equal shares, under Para 70(ii) of EPF scheme, 1952. If there is no eligible family member, it is payable to the person(s)who are legally entitled to it.

On the death of a pension member (before receiving a pension), if there is no eligible family, the pension will be payable to the nominee.

How to submit EPF/EPS nomination online

Step 1: Visit EPFO website >Services> For employees, > click “Member UAN/Online Services”.
Step 2: Log in with UAN and password
Step 3: Select ‘E-nomination’ under the Manage tab’.
Step 4: Provide Details tab will appear on the screen. Click ‘Save’.
Step 5: Click Yes to update the Family declaration.
Step 6: Click Family details to add more than one nominee.
Step 7: Click nomination details to declare the total amount of share. Click on Save EPF nomination
Step 8: Click E-sign to generate OTP and submit the same.

Note that after e-nomination, no further physical documents are required.