EPF Calculator — Employee Provident Fund Complete Guide
The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is India's most important retirement savings instrument for salaried employees. Managed by the EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation), EPF is mandatory for employees earning up to ₹15,000/month in establishments with 20+ employees — and highly beneficial even for those earning more.
EPF offers a guaranteed interest rate of 8.25% for FY 2024–25, compounded annually. All contributions and interest enjoy EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) tax status if the account is held for 5+ years — one of the most tax-efficient retirement instruments available in India.
How EPF contributions work — the complete breakdown
Component
Who pays
Rate
Goes to
Notes
Employee EPF
Employee
12% of basic
EPF account
Deducted from salary. 80C deductible.
Employer EPF
Employer
3.67% of basic
EPF account
Added to your EPF balance
Employer EPS
Employer
8.33% of basic (max ₹1,250/mo)
Pension fund
Capped at ₹15K basic. Not in EPF balance.
Employer EDLI
Employer
0.5% of basic (max ₹75/mo)
Insurance
EDLI = Employee Deposit Linked Insurance
VPF (Voluntary)
Employee
Any % above 12%
EPF account
Same rate as EPF. 80C + no LTCG.
Employer admin
Employer
0.5% (admin charges)
EPFO
Administrative overhead
Why VPF is one of India's best investments
VPF (Voluntary Provident Fund) is an extension of your EPF account where you contribute more than the mandatory 12%. It earns the same EPF rate (8.25%) — which is tax-free — making the effective pre-tax return 11.8% for those in the 30% bracket. Add the Section 80C deduction (on contributions up to ₹1.5L/year) and VPF is arguably the best fixed-income instrument for salaried employees. There's no lock-in beyond EPF's standard withdrawal rules.
Full EPF withdrawal is allowed only on retirement (at age 58) or after 2 months of unemployment. Partial withdrawal is allowed for specific purposes during service: home purchase/construction (after 5 years), marriage/education (after 7 years), medical emergency (any time), and pre-retirement (after age 54, up to 90% of balance). Premature full withdrawal before 5 years of continuous service is allowed but the interest becomes taxable and TDS is deducted at 10%.
Is EPF interest taxable?▼
EPF interest is tax-free up to an annual contribution of ₹2.5 lakh per year (employee contribution only). Contributions above ₹2.5L/year earn interest that is taxable. This limit was introduced in Budget 2021 to curb very high VPF contributions by high-income earners. For most salaried employees, their total EPF contribution stays well below ₹2.5L/year, keeping all interest tax-free.
What is the UAN and how do I check my EPF balance?▼
UAN (Universal Account Number) is a 12-digit number assigned to every EPF member. It stays with you throughout your working life, even when you change jobs. Check your EPF balance at: EPFO Member Portal (epfindia.gov.in), UMANG app (download from Play Store/App Store), SMS 'EPFOHO UAN ENG' to 7738299899, or missed call to 011-22901406 (from registered mobile). Your passbook shows monthly contributions and interest credited.
What happens to my EPF when I change jobs?▼
When you change jobs, you can either transfer your EPF balance to your new employer's PF account (recommended) or withdraw it. Transfer is strongly recommended — it preserves the EEE tax status and maintains continuity of service for pension calculation. Transfer is done online via EPFO portal using UAN. If you withdraw and the total service is less than 5 years, the interest becomes taxable. Always transfer, never withdraw prematurely.
What is the difference between EPF, EPS, and EDLI?▼
EPF (Employee Provident Fund): Your savings account. Both you and employer contribute. You get the full balance at retirement or withdrawal. EPS (Employee Pension Scheme): Pension fund. Only employer contributes (8.33% of wages capped at ₹15K). You get a monthly pension from age 58 if you've contributed for 10+ years. EDLI (Employee Deposit Linked Insurance): Life insurance. Only employer contributes (0.5%). Your nominees get a death benefit of up to ₹7L if you die while in service.