Last Updated:October 20, 2025, 12:44 IST

EPFO 3.0 allows instant 75% withdrawal for unemployed, 12-month service for partial withdrawals, and more withdrawals for education and marriage.

PF Withdrawal Rules.

EPFO 3.0 Updates 2025 Latest News: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced new partial withdrawal rules under the upgraded EPFO 3.0 system, bringing more uniformity and flexibility for subscribers. The decision to amend the scheme was taken by the apex decision-making body of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the Central Board of Trustees headed by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a meeting held on October 13.

Here’s a detailed look at what’s new:

1. Continuous Unemployment

Under the previous rules, members could withdraw 75% of their EPF balance after one month of unemployment and the remaining 25% after two months.

Now, under EPFO 3.0, members can withdraw 75% of their balance immediately, while the full withdrawal can be made after 12 months of continuous unemployment.

2. Pension Withdrawal After Job Loss

Earlier, pension withdrawal was allowed after two months of unemployment. Under the new rules, the waiting period has been extended. Members can now withdraw their pension amount only after 36 months.

3. Lockout or Closure of Establishment

Previously, withdrawals in case of a lockout or closure were limited to not exceeding the employee’s share or up to 100% of the total share.

Now, 75% of the EPF corpus can be withdrawn, while 25% must be retained as a minimum balance.

4. Epidemic or Pandemic

Earlier, members could withdraw up to three months’ basic wages and dearness allowance (BW + DA) or 75% of their balance, whichever was lower. The new rules maintain similar conditions but align them with the new standardised service requirements.

5. Natural Calamity

Previously, withdrawals were capped at Rs 5,000 or 50% of the member’s own contribution with interest, whichever was less. Under the new framework, minimum service tenure for all partial withdrawals, including this category, is standardised to 12 months.

6. Medical Treatment (Self or Family)

Earlier, members could withdraw up to six months’ BW and DA or the employee’s share, whichever was less, and this could be done more than once. The new rules retain this structure but fall under the uniform 12-month service condition.

7. Education and Marriage

Under the old rules, EPF subscribers could withdraw up to 50% of their contribution after seven years of membership. Withdrawals were permitted three times (for education) and two times (for marriage) during their service.

Under EPFO 3.0, the frequency limit has been increased. Education withdrawals allowed up to 10 times, and marriage-related withdrawals up to 5 times during service.

8. Purchase or Construction of House / Purchase of Site

Earlier, this was allowed after 24-36 months of service, up to the total of BW + DA or the cost of construction, whichever was less, and only once.

Now, with the new standardised rule, a minimum of 12 months of service is required for all partial withdrawals.

9. Addition/ Alteration/ Improvement in House

Previously, members could withdraw up to 12 months’ BW and DA or their employee’s share, whichever was less. The same conditions continue under the new uniform system.

10. Housing Loan Repayment

Earlier, members could withdraw up to 36 months’ BW + DA or total balance or outstanding loan, whichever was less, once during their service. The new EPFO 3.0 system retains the same criteria but simplifies the process for digital requests.

11. Purchase of Dwelling House or Flat

Earlier, up to 90% of the total share with interest or cost of acquisition could be withdrawn once. The same conditions remain, with digital processing expected to make transactions smoother.

Key Highlights of EPFO 3.0 Withdrawal Framework

Uniform Service Tenure: The minimum service requirement for all partial withdrawals has now been standardised to 12 months, replacing the earlier range of 2–7 years, depending on the purpose.

Minimum Balance Rule: Members must now retain at least 25% of their EPF corpus after withdrawal.

Frequency Flexibility: The frequency for withdrawals related to education and marriage has been increased, giving members more flexibility during important life stages.

Instant Withdrawal Facility: Under the new system, members facing unemployment can access 75% of their balance immediately, providing crucial liquidity during job loss.

Mohammad Haris

Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More

Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More

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US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he might reduce tariffs on Chinese goods, but only if Beijing agrees “to do things” for the United States. These concessions include buying more US soybeans, halting restrictions on rare earth minerals, and other security concerns. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “They’re paying us a lot of money, tremendous amount of money in tariffs, and they’d probably like to have it be less. We’ll work on that, but they have to give us some things too.”

These comments come after the US announced an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports to the country, effective from November 1, in response to China’s restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. This took the overall duty to a staggerring 130%.‘No longer a one-way street’ Referring to the 130% tariffs on Beijing, he said, “Right now, China’s paying a tremendous amount of money in tariffs like they’d never paid before. You know, they paid a lot during my first administration, my first term.”China is paying “an unbelievable amount of money” to the United States, Trump said, adding, “they probably can’t pay that much. And I’m okay with that.” “We can lower that, but they have to do things for us, too. It’s no longer a one-way street.” Responding to where the reduced tariffs might land, he said that it “depends. I mean, we’ll have to see what they want.” “One of the penalties we have, because they’re sending in fence and all we have a 20%, as you know, a 20% tariff on that. But they’d be paying about a 157% tariff, which is, you know, record-sending type tariff.”The US president further added that he wants to help China but expects something in return. “I don’t want them to do that. I want to help China. I’m not looking to hurt China. But they have to give us things, too.”What Trump wants in exchange for lower tariffs? In turn for lower tariffs, Trump expects China to buy America’s soybean and “stop with the fentanyl.” “Very, you know, normal things. I don’t want them to play the rare earth game with us.” He highlighted that American soybean farmers have been boycotted by China and hence a deal would not happen if Beijing fails to meet these demands. “Otherwise I’m not going to make a deal. No, I want them to buy. Our farmers have been boycotted by China as a negotiating point. I don’t want that. Our farmers are great. And in particular our soybean farmers. And I want them to start buying soybeans at least in the amount that they were buying before. And I believe they’ll be able to do that.”Fresh negotiations ahead The comments come as the US and China prepare for a new round of trade negotiations “as soon as possible,” aimed at avoiding further damaging tariffs. The announcement followed a video call between Beijing’s chief negotiator, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. State news agency Xinhua said the talks involved “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges.” Tensions have risen since Trump announced the additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods. Taking to social media platform Truth Socialm he said, “Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position… the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying.” Meanwhile, Beijing also warned of retaliation if the US proceeds. “Wilful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said, according to Xinhua. Despite earlier remarks that Trump would not meet Xi Jinping at this month’s APEC summit, a meeting between the two leaders still appears possible. Treasury secretary Bessent said, “He will be meeting with Party Chair Xi in Korea – I believe that meeting will still go ahead.”

More than seven million UK adults have been hit by a scam in the past year, with 20% of them significantly affected by the financial loss, Citizens Advice has found.

Another seven million adults knew of at least one other person who had been deceived by a scam, a survey for the charity suggests.

More than a quarter of those personally scammed were targeted while online shopping (26%), most commonly with fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods.

The findings prompted Citizens Advice to urge consumers to be cautious when taking advantage of shopping deals ahead of Black Friday and Christmas.

Of the 20% of those caught out by a scam who were significantly impacted by the financial loss they suffered, 12% said they fell into debt or had to borrow money, and 10% said they had to use emergency savings.

Some 20% were unable to carry out their work or caring responsibilities as a result of being scammed.

Almost a quarter (22%) transferred money after being pressured or convinced to, and 42% were contacted through social media.

Citizens Advice said those it had supported with online shopping scams in the past year included consumers who had forked out “hundreds of pounds” for items such as clothes, mobile phones and furniture, only to receive products that were counterfeit, not as advertised, unsafe – or nothing at all.

Many of those scammed reported that the company they bought from either took more money from their bank account, did not respond, or disappeared online altogether.

Other common scams included investment fraud (18%), such as “get rich quick” and cryptocurrency schemes, as well as fake loans.

Some 16% of those scammed fell for a friend or family member tricking them into believing they needed money urgently.

Another 14% were scammed into taking out a new mobile contract or paying for a new handset.

One woman helped by Citizens Advice, an 84-year-old from north-east England, was persuaded to pay around £40,000 in cash to scammers claiming to be from her bank’s fraud department.

She used her life savings, pension money and was pressured into borrowing from a friend.

Part of the cash came from Mary being duped into taking out a five year, monthly-repayable loan for £30,000.

The ordeal left her traumatised and she has since received treatment for depression from her GP.

She said: “The scammers said my identity had been stolen by internal bank staff and the issue had to be dealt with in absolute secrecy. It was pressure right from the beginning. They don’t give you time to think.

“Straight away I had to go to the bank, even though the nearest branch is 30 miles away. I had to send the cash in packets of thousands of pounds to four different addresses, they gave me explicit details on how to pack it up.

“They caught me at the most vulnerable I’d been for a long time. I thought I was doing my bank a favour by trying to unearth a mole in their staff. There was always this promise I would get the money back but the phone calls started easing off and of course the money never came.”

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Anyone can be scammed and the impact can be devastating, leaving people not only out of pocket but in some cases unable to go about their daily lives.

“It’s important to be alert. If you’re not sure about something, get advice. If you think someone might be trying to scam you, act straight away.”

Kate Dearden, minister for workers rights and consumer protections, said: “Too many of us know the devastating consequences of scams. As part of our Plan for Change, we have taken decisive action to improve transparency, including cracking down on subscription traps, and banning fake reviews and hidden fees once and for all.”

National Trading Standards chairman Lord Michael Bichard said: “We urge anyone who has been targeted by a scam to report it, however large or small the financial loss.

“By coming forward, people can receive the support they need and their information will be vital in helping to stop these criminals in their tracks.”

Citizens Advice warned consumers to be alert for scams if:

– Someone you do not know contacts you unexpectedly, or you are asked to transfer money quickly– You are being asked to share personal or security information like passwords, pins or codes– You suspect you are not dealing with a real company – for example there is no postal address– You have been asked to pay in an unusual way – paying by debit or credit card gives you extra protection if things go wrong– The golden rule is if something seems too good to be true or does not feel right it might be a scam, so take a moment and get advice

Citizens Advice offers advice online and a consumer service helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Scams or suspected scams should be reported to Action Fraud.

Savanta surveyed 2,222 UK adults between September 5-7.