PF FAQ

a. In line with the prevalent industry practices, we have finalised to make a decision to transition the General Mills India PF trust operations to EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organisation) managed by Government of India.

This change is due to 2 main reasons:
a. Industry practice: We have an internal PF Trust for Employee benefits and convenience. However, with the changing landscape and pace of EPFO and this being a prevalent Industry practice of hosting the retirals with EPFO, we are encouraged to make this change.

b. Frequent compliance and process changes: The PF landscape in India is constantly evolving owing to frequent regulatory announcements and policy changes. Hence, it is prudent to keep this process with the Government.

a. Yes. This change will happen at the organisation level hence applicable to all employees of General Mills India Pvt Ltd.

a. In case of in-house PF Trust, the PF part of the employees is administered and managed by the Trustees of the General Mills India Staff PF Trust. Accordingly, the PF balance statement is issued by the in-house PF Trust, the NRW or permanent withdrawals are managed by the in-house PF Trust.

b. The funds of the PF Trust are invested by the Trustees as per the statutorily defined pattern of investment as declared by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

c. EPFO i.e. Employees Provident Fund Organisation is an Organisation formed under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 administered and managed by Government of India.

a. For current PF balance, you may log in to go/vpd. Click on Provident Fund Balance.

a. You can login to the VPD Online Retiral Module and fill the NRW form. Refer the manual for details.

a. NRW eligibility will depend on your service period and the reason of the NRW. You may login to the VPD Online Retiral Module for more details.

a. No. Supporting documents are required only in case of repayment of housing loan. You may login to the VPD Online Retiral Module for more details.

a. No. As per the provisions of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the GMI Trust Rules, this withdrawal is permitted only once in lifetime of the member.

a. You can raise a grievance on the EPFO grievance portal for the same or connect with your previous organisation to get a status on the application. Portal Link - PF Grievance portal.

a. Your PF will be transferred to the EPFO as part of the transition. Once the transition is completed you can then transfer to your new organisation or withdraw.

a. There is a waiting period of 60 days from the date of leaving before you can apply for PF settlement. The cutoff for any application is 11^th August 2024, hence you will be able to apply for PF settlement only after the transition process is completed.

a. There is a minimum waiting period of 30 days from the date of leaving before you can apply for PF transfer. The new organisation has to upload your first PF contribution under their Employer PF code. The cutoff for any application is 11^th August 2024, hence you will be able to apply for PF settlement only after the transition process is completed.

a. No, 11^th August 2024 is the last date for any PF related application.

a. The transition process will take approximately 10-12 months and until this time no transactions can be made.

a. UAN is a unique identification number assigned to Employee Provident Fund i.e employees contributing towards PF. It helps in tracking and managing EPF accounts across different jobs and employers.

a. UAN is generated by the employer in the month of joining. It is mentioned on the monthly salary slips.

b. For employees who transfer their PF from previous organisation, they can get UAN from previous organisation.

Follow these steps:
a. Visit the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.

b. Log in using your UAN, password, and captcha.

c. Under the “Manage” tab, select the “KYC” option.

d. Link your PAN, bank account, and Aadhaar details to your UAN.

e. Save your changes, and your request will be displayed as "KYC Pending for Approval".
i. The Employer will then proceed to approve the KYC as uploaded by you.
ii. Detailed Manual is attached – EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal Guide.

No documents are required to be uploaded on the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal for KYC. However, the member must provide the below details –
a. Aadhar number, Name as per Aadhar.
b. PAN, Name as per PAN.
c. Savings Bank Account Number, Name as per Bank Account & IFSC.
d. In case of International Worker, Passport details such as Name as per Passport, Passport Number & Validity period.
Detailed Manual is attached – EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal Guide.

a. Filing nominations is mandatory as per para 61 of the EPF Scheme, 1952. It ensures that your nominated beneficiaries receive the EPF benefits in case of your demise.

a. For nomination related details, kindly login to go/vpd. Click on PF Tracking - PF Nomination Auto.

a. If you shift job after the cut-off date, your PF balance shall continue to remain invested with the General Mills PF Account maintained at EPFO until the transition process is completed. Post that you can make an application for Transfer to your new Employer or for Final withdrawal through the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.

a. General Mills will process all EPF transfer-in requests up to the cut-off date. No such transfer-in will be permitted after the cut-off date, in which case your balance will reside with your former employer and be transferred to the EPFO- linked fund for General Mills employees only after the PF transition process is pronounced complete. If your transfer-in is affected before the cut-off date, it will become a part of the General Mills PF Trust first and then get transferred with all other employee balances to the EPFO. If the transfer-in is received after cut-off date then your transferred amount will be transferred to EPFO with a covering letter and Annexure-K.

a. Interest accumulated on your PF balance up to 31^st August 2024 will be calculated as per the rate of interest declared by the General Mills PF Trust. After the cut- off date, the EPFO will pay interest as per its prevailing interest rate(s).

a. All future contributions from the cut-off date will be deposited with the EPFO.

a. You can continue to contribute Voluntary Provident Fund.

a. No. The same UAN will continue.

a. Once a member is enrolled under the Employees Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the employee will continue to be a member till the time of their retirement.

a. No separate action is required on part of the member.

a. Yes, Interest earned on the employee's contribution to an EPF account exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh in a financial year is taxable. Further, interest on Taxable Member Balance (opening as well as if any taxable transfer-in received) will also attract Tax u/s 194A of Income Tax Act at the rate of 10% if PAN is updated and at the rate of 20% if PAN is not updated with EPFO. Interest upto INR 5000/- is considered as exempted income under this section of Income Tax Act.

a. Post transition, all your PF accumulations (Employee & employer PF Contributions) will be maintained by EPFO, Thane against your UAN. Since UAN is linked with your EPS account number, the same number will be your EPF number then onwards.

a. You can visit the EPFO portal for any grievance filling. (Attached the manual).

a. You can reach out on generalmills.pf@genmills.com