Provident Fund and gratuity are two of the most valuable financial benefits that come with employment at Infosys, yet they are also among the most misunderstood. Many Infosys employees who leave the company are uncertain about how to claim their PF, whether to withdraw or transfer, what happens to their gratuity, and what the actual amounts are. Many current employees do not know what their PF balance is or how to access it. And many freshers who have just joined do not understand how the PF deduction from their salary works or why it matters for their long-term financial planning.

Infosys PF Withdrawal Transfer and Gratuity Guide

This guide covers everything: how PF works at Infosys, the UAN system, how to check your PF balance, when and how to withdraw PF, when to transfer instead of withdraw, the complete online and offline PF claim processes, what gratuity is and how to calculate it, the eligibility conditions for gratuity, the gratuity claim process, tax implications of both PF and gratuity, and every common complication that employees encounter in these processes. Each section is written with specific steps rather than vague descriptions, because the actual process involves specific portals, specific forms, and specific sequences that are not obvious without a guide.

Table of Contents

  1. How PF Works at Infosys
  2. Understanding Your UAN: The Foundation of Everything
  3. Checking Your Infosys PF Balance
  4. Withdraw or Transfer? Making the Right Decision
  5. PF Withdrawal: Complete Step-by-Step Process
  6. PF Transfer to New Employer: Step-by-Step Process
  7. Partial PF Withdrawal: When It Is Allowed
  8. PF Claim Status: How to Track Your Application
  9. What Is Gratuity and How Is It Calculated at Infosys
  10. Gratuity Eligibility: The Five-Year Condition
  11. Gratuity Claim Process at Infosys
  12. Tax Implications of PF Withdrawal and Gratuity
  13. Common Problems and How to Resolve Them
  14. PF and Gratuity for Employees Who Were Terminated
  15. Frequently Asked Questions

How PF Works at Infosys

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a statutory retirement savings scheme governed by the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Every establishment with 20 or more employees must register for EPF, and Infosys as one of India’s largest employers is covered.

The Basic Mechanics:

Every month, two contributions go into your EPF account:

Your contribution: 12 percent of your Basic Salary + Dearness Allowance (DA). This is deducted from your salary before you receive it.

Infosys’s contribution: Also 12 percent of your Basic Salary + DA. This is paid by Infosys on top of your salary, not deducted from it. However, Infosys’s 12 percent is split: 8.33 percent goes to the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) and 3.67 percent goes to the EPF account directly.

The cap on EPS contribution: the EPS contribution is calculated on a maximum salary of Rs. 15,000 per month regardless of actual salary. So the maximum EPS contribution is Rs. 1,250 per month (8.33% of Rs. 15,000). Any employer contribution above Rs. 1,250 goes entirely to EPF.

Understanding the Split in Practice:

For a fresher SE at Infosys with a basic salary of approximately Rs. 14,400 per month (rough approximate at the 3.6 LPA package level):

Employee contribution = 12% of Rs. 14,400 = Rs. 1,728 per month, goes entirely to EPF account. Employer EPS contribution = 8.33% of Rs. 14,400 (but capped at 8.33% of Rs. 15,000) = Rs. 1,200 per month, goes to EPS account. Employer EPF contribution = 3.67% of Rs. 14,400 = Rs. 528 per month, goes to EPF account. Total going into EPF account per month = Rs. 1,728 + Rs. 528 = Rs. 2,256. Total going into EPS account per month = Rs. 1,200.

The EPS money is a pension scheme and has different withdrawal rules from EPF. The EPF balance is the sum that can be withdrawn or transferred.

The Interest on EPF:

The EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) declares an interest rate annually. The rate has been in the range of 8 to 8.5 percent per annum in recent years. This interest is credited to EPF accounts annually.

Interest is not credited to EPS accounts. The EPS serves as a pension scheme; the accumulated EPS amount is converted to a monthly pension upon retirement for employees who meet the eligibility criteria.

Why This Matters for Career Decisions:

For a fresher at Infosys, the PF deduction reduces take-home pay but builds a retirement corpus that grows with guaranteed interest. For someone who stays at Infosys for many years, the accumulated PF balance can be substantial. For someone who leaves after two to three years, the amount is modest but should be managed carefully (transferred rather than withdrawn prematurely, to preserve both the corpus and the favorable tax treatment).

Understanding Your UAN: The Foundation of Everything

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is the single identifier that connects all your PF accounts across your entire employment history in India. It is the most important number to know and activate for managing PF.

What the UAN Is:

Before the UAN system was introduced, each employer had a separate PF account for each employee. When an employee changed jobs, they had to either withdraw the previous PF account or apply for a transfer to the new account. The UAN system consolidated this: a single UAN assigned to each employee maps to their current PF member ID at each employer under the UAN umbrella.

Your UAN stays with you throughout your career. Infosys creates a new PF member ID under your UAN when you join, and your next employer does the same when you join them. The UAN connects all these member IDs and allows you to view balances and manage transfers from a single interface.

Getting Your UAN at Infosys:

For employees who are joining Infosys as their first formal employer: a new UAN is generated for you when you join. The UAN is communicated to you through InfyMe or through Infosys’s payroll communication. Your first salary slip or your InfyMe PF details section will show the UAN.

For employees who have a UAN from a previous employer or internship: your existing UAN should be linked to your Infosys PF account during the joining process. The iConnect portal asks for your UAN during pre-joining formalities. Providing your existing UAN ensures continuity of your PF history rather than creating a second, separate UAN.

Activating Your UAN:

A UAN is useful only when it is activated and linked to your mobile number and Aadhar. The activation process:

  1. Visit the EPFO member portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in).
  2. Click “Activate UAN.”
  3. Enter your UAN, member ID (your Infosys PF account number), name, date of birth, and mobile number.
  4. Submit and verify via the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
  5. Create a password for your UAN portal account.

After activation, you can log in to the UAN portal to check balances, download the PF passbook, and initiate withdrawals or transfers.

KYC for UAN:

To withdraw or transfer PF, KYC documents must be linked to your UAN. KYC linking requires:

Aadhar: the most important KYC document. Link Aadhar to UAN through the UAN portal → Manage → KYC. After submission, Infosys (as your employer) needs to approve the KYC within the portal. This approval is processed by Infosys’s payroll team.

PAN: link PAN to UAN for tax-compliant withdrawals. Required for claim processing.

Bank Account: link your savings bank account (the account where PF withdrawal will be credited) to UAN. Submit account number, IFSC code, and bank name.

Without approved Aadhar linking, online PF claims cannot be processed. Ensure Aadhar is linked and approved well before initiating any claim.

Checking Your Infosys PF Balance

Knowing your PF balance is the starting point for any PF-related decision. There are multiple ways to check.

Method 1: EPFO Member Portal (UAN Portal)

  1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in.
  2. Log in with your UAN and password.
  3. Click “View” → “Passbook.”
  4. The passbook shows your month-by-month contribution history, employer contributions, and interest credits.
  5. The balance shown is the total EPF balance. Note: the EPS balance is separate and shown differently.

The passbook is typically updated with a delay of one to two months. The latest entries may not reflect contributions from the most recent payroll cycle.

Method 2: SMS

Send an SMS to 7738299899 from your registered mobile number: Format: EPFOHO UAN ENG (Replace “ENG” with your preferred language code: HIN for Hindi, etc.) The response SMS provides your latest available PF balance.

Method 3: UMANG App

The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app provides EPFO services including PF balance check, passbook download, and claim initiation. The app is available on Android and iOS.

Method 4: InfyMe Portal (for Current Employees)

Current Infosys employees can view their PF details through the InfyMe portal. The PF section in InfyMe shows the member ID, UAN, and in some configurations a link to the PF balance.

Understanding the Numbers:

Your PF statement shows three types of balances:

EPF balance: the sum of your contributions + Infosys’s direct EPF contributions + accumulated interest. This is the primary balance you can withdraw or transfer.

EPS balance: the pension scheme contributions. This does not appear as a direct withdrawal amount in the same way; it is used to calculate pension eligibility.

Employer contribution: Infosys’s total contribution (EPS + EPF) is visible but remember that only the EPF portion adds to your withdrawable balance.

Withdraw or Transfer? Making the Right Decision

When leaving Infosys, the decision between withdrawing your PF and transferring it to your new employer’s PF account is one of the most financially significant decisions you will make. Most employees withdraw when they should transfer.

The Case for Transfer:

Continuity of corpus: transferring preserves the accumulated balance in the PF system where it continues to earn the EPFO interest rate (approximately 8 to 8.5 percent). Taking this money out and depositing it in a savings bank account earns 3 to 4 percent.

Tax advantages: PF is a tax-exempt savings vehicle under the EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) model. Contributions are exempt from tax (deductible under 80C), the interest earned is exempt, and the maturity proceeds (at retirement after 5+ years of continuous service) are exempt. Withdrawing early loses this accumulated tax advantage.

Five-year service counting: for gratuity purposes, PF service period counts. More importantly, if your PF account has been continuously maintained (through transfer, not withdrawal) for five or more years, the entire PF withdrawal at maturity is tax-free. Withdrawing after only two years at Infosys and starting fresh at the new employer resets this clock.

EPS continuity: the Employee Pension Scheme component of your PF is linked to your total years of service across your career. EPS pension eligibility requires 10 years of total service. Transferring preserves this cumulative service count; withdrawing breaks it.

The Case for Withdrawal:

The only genuinely good reason to withdraw PF is financial necessity: you need the money for a specific purpose and have no other means. Even then, partial withdrawal (covered in the next section) may address the need without emptying the account.

The Financial Numbers:

Suppose you have accumulated Rs. 1.5 lakhs in PF at Infosys over two years. If you withdraw and invest in a fixed deposit at 7 percent for 30 years, you accumulate approximately Rs. 11.4 lakhs. If you leave it in the PF system (through transfer) earning 8.25 percent for 30 years, you accumulate approximately Rs. 18.4 lakhs. The difference of Rs. 7 lakhs from a single decision about Rs. 1.5 lakhs is entirely attributable to the higher guaranteed interest rate and the tax advantage of the PF system.

This calculation does not account for the EEE tax advantage, which makes the PF option even more favorable. For most employees making career moves, the transfer decision is the clearly superior financial choice.

When Transfer Is Mandated Over Withdrawal:

If you have contributed to PF for less than five continuous years and withdraw, the entire withdrawal amount (including the interest) is taxable as income in the year of withdrawal. This TDS is deducted at 10 percent if PAN is linked, and at 30 percent if PAN is not linked. For employees with significant PF balances, this tax implication makes premature withdrawal materially disadvantageous.

The only scenarios where withdrawal makes unambiguous sense:

  • You are retiring (no further employment planned).
  • You are emigrating and your PF cannot be maintained from outside India.
  • You are facing genuine financial distress and need the funds immediately.
  • You are becoming self-employed and there will be no future employer EPF contribution.

PF Withdrawal: Complete Step-by-Step Process

For employees who have decided to withdraw their PF after leaving Infosys, the following is the complete online withdrawal process.

Prerequisites Before Starting:

Your UAN must be activated and the password must be known. Aadhar must be linked to UAN and approved by Infosys (or your last employer if you left Infosys previously). PAN must be linked to UAN. Bank account must be linked to UAN with correct account number and IFSC. Your exit from Infosys must be recorded in the EPFO system (employers are required to update exit dates; this sometimes takes 2 to 4 weeks after your last working day).

Step 1: Verify Prerequisites on the UAN Portal

Log in to the UAN portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in). Go to Manage → KYC. Verify that Aadhar, PAN, and bank account all show “Verified” or “Approved” status. If any KYC document shows “Pending” or “Rejected,” resolve it before proceeding.

Step 2: Check Your PF Balance

View the passbook (View → Passbook) and note your EPF balance and EPS balance separately. The EPF balance is the primary amount you can withdraw. The EPS balance may give you a scheme certificate if your service is less than 10 years.

Step 3: Initiate the Online Claim

Go to Online Services → Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C). The portal shows your personal details, employer details, and KYC status. Verify all details are correct.

Step 4: Select the Claim Type

Click “Proceed for Online Claim.” In the drop-down for the type of claim, select:

  • Form 19: for full EPF withdrawal after leaving the job.
  • Form 10C: for EPS withdrawal certificate or pension withdrawal benefit.
  • Form 31: for partial withdrawals (advance).

For a full withdrawal after leaving Infosys, select Form 19 (and Form 10C for the EPS component if applicable).

Step 5: Enter Details and Certify

Enter your current address (for the Infosys employee reading this: your address after leaving Infosys). The portal asks for the last four digits of your Aadhar for verification. Certify the declaration that you have left employment and the details are correct. Submit the form.

Step 6: OTP Verification

An OTP is sent to your Aadhar-registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to authenticate the claim. The claim is submitted successfully.

Step 7: The Wait

Online PF claims are typically processed within 15 to 20 working days. The amount is credited directly to the linked bank account. You receive a confirmation SMS on your registered mobile number when the claim is processed.

Step 8: Tracking the Claim

Go to Online Services → Track Claim Status. Enter your UAN and the claim reference number to check the current status. Statuses: Submitted, Under Process, Settled, Rejected.

If the claim is rejected, the rejection reason is shown. Common rejection reasons: bank account mismatch, Aadhar OTP failed, exit date not updated by employer.

PF Transfer to New Employer: Step-by-Step Process

The PF transfer is the recommended path for most employees moving from Infosys to a new employer. It is simpler than withdrawal and avoids all the tax and financial disadvantages of premature withdrawal.

When to Initiate the Transfer:

Initiate the transfer after you have joined your new employer and your new employer’s PF account has been opened for you (typically within the first month of joining).

Do not initiate the transfer before confirming your new employer’s PF establishment details (EPFO establishment ID and the member ID assigned to you by the new employer).

Prerequisites:

UAN must be activated and linked to both the old (Infosys) account and the new employer’s account. KYC (Aadhar, PAN, bank account) must be linked and approved.

Step 1: Log In to UAN Portal

Access unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and log in with your UAN and password.

Step 2: Initiate Transfer Request

Go to Online Services → One Member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request). The portal shows your current active member ID (your new employer’s PF account) and previous member IDs (including your Infosys member ID).

Step 3: Select the Account to Transfer From

Select the previous member ID (Infosys’s PF account) as the source. The system auto-fills the details from the old account.

Step 4: Choose Who Attests the Claim

The transfer claim needs attestation either by the previous employer (Infosys) or the current employer. Select:

  • Previous employer (Infosys) attestation: Infosys HR reviews and approves the transfer claim. This is slower (Infosys’s payroll team needs to process it) but does not involve your new employer.
  • Current employer attestation: your new employer reviews and approves. Generally faster if your new employer has a responsive HR team.

For most employees, current employer attestation is faster and more practical.

Step 5: Submit and Get Acknowledgment

Submit the transfer request. The portal generates an acknowledgment number. Save this number for tracking.

Step 6: Employer Approval

The selected employer (previous or current) logs in to the EPFO employer portal to approve the transfer claim. This is not something you do; it depends on the HR team’s processing timeline. For previous employer (Infosys) attestation, the Infosys payroll/HR team processes it. For current employer attestation, your new employer’s HR team processes it.

The typical employer approval timeline is 1 to 4 weeks depending on how promptly the HR team processes such requests.

Step 7: EPFO Processing

After employer approval, EPFO processes the transfer. The EPF balance moves from the Infosys PF account to the new employer’s PF account. The EPS account service period is also credited to the new account.

Total timeline from submission to completed transfer: typically 4 to 8 weeks.

Step 8: Verify the Transfer

After the transfer period, check the UAN passbook. The new employer’s PF account should show the transferred amount as a credit. The old (Infosys) account should show the balance as zero or a closing entry.

Partial PF Withdrawal: When It Is Allowed

EPFO allows partial withdrawal from the PF account for specific purposes even while you are still employed. These advances are governed by the EPF scheme rules and require documentation of the specific purpose.

Allowed Purposes for Partial Withdrawal:

Housing (purchase, construction, or repayment of home loan): after five years of PF membership, you can withdraw up to 90 percent of your EPF balance for property purchase or construction. After 3 years, up to 12 times your monthly wages for home loan repayment.

Medical treatment: for treatment of self, spouse, children, or parents for specific major illnesses (hospitalization for more than a month, major surgeries, etc.). Up to six times your monthly wages, withdrawable immediately without service period condition.

Marriage: after seven years of PF membership, up to 50 percent of your own contribution for marriage expenses of self, siblings, or children.

Education: after seven years, up to 50 percent of own contribution for higher education.

Physical disability: for members who become physically incapacitated.

Natural calamities: for members affected by specified natural disasters.

How to Apply for Partial Withdrawal (Form 31):

The process uses Form 31, which can be submitted online through the UAN portal (Online Services → Claim → Form 31) or offline at the EPFO regional office.

Online process:

  1. Log in to UAN portal.
  2. Go to Online Services → Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C).
  3. Select Form 31.
  4. Select the purpose from the dropdown (housing, medical, etc.).
  5. Enter the required amount.
  6. Upload the supporting document (hospital bill, marriage invitation card, etc.).
  7. Submit.

The claim is reviewed and processed within 15 to 20 working days if documentation is complete.

Tax on Partial Withdrawal:

Partial withdrawals for housing (after five years of PF membership), medical treatment, and certain other approved purposes are tax-exempt. Partial withdrawals before five years of continuous service for other purposes are taxable as income.

PF Claim Status: How to Track Your Application

After submitting any PF claim (withdrawal or transfer), tracking the status is important to ensure the claim is progressing and to identify any issues early.

Method 1: UAN Portal

Log in to the UAN portal. Go to Online Services → Track Claim Status. Enter your UAN. The page shows all submitted claims with current status.

Status codes:

  • Claim Submitted: received by EPFO, not yet processed.
  • Under Process: being reviewed by the respective EPFO field office.
  • Settled: claim approved and amount disbursed to bank account.
  • Rejected: claim not approved. Rejection reason shown; address the issue and resubmit.

Method 2: EPFO Website (No Login Required)

Visit epfindia.gov.in → Online Services → Know Your Claim Status. Enter your PF member ID (format: state code + establishment code + member ID) and submit. This works without logging in.

Method 3: SMS

Send SMS to 7738299899: EPFOHO UAN CLAIMSTATUS The response shows the current claim status.

Method 4: EPFO Helpline

Call EPFO’s toll-free helpline: 1800-118-005. Provide your UAN and claim reference number to get a status update from the customer service representative.

Common Delay Causes and Solutions:

Delay due to KYC mismatch: the name on your Aadhar does not exactly match the name in the EPFO record. Solution: update the name in EPFO records through the joint declaration process (Form 11 correction) or correct the Aadhar name through the UIDAI portal.

Delay due to employer not updating exit date: Infosys has not updated your date of leaving in the EPFO system. Solution: contact Infosys HR payroll team and request them to update the exit date in the EPFO employer portal.

Delay due to bank account mismatch: the bank account linked to UAN does not match the account records. Solution: update the bank account details in the UAN portal and allow re-verification.

Delay due to field office backlog: EPFO field offices sometimes have processing backlogs. If the claim has been “Under Process” for more than 25 working days, file a grievance through the EPFIGMS portal (epfigms.gov.in).

What Is Gratuity and How Is It Calculated at Infosys

Gratuity is a statutory payment under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, made by an employer to an employee as a token of appreciation for long service. It is a lump sum paid when the employee leaves after meeting the eligibility condition.

The Gratuity Formula:

Gratuity = (Last drawn salary × 15 × Number of years of service) / 26

Where:

  • Last drawn salary = Basic Salary + Dearness Allowance (as defined in the gratuity formula; not the total CTC).
  • 15 = number of days of salary per year.
  • 26 = working days in a month (standard for gratuity calculation).

Example Calculation:

An Infosys employee who worked for exactly seven years with a last drawn basic salary of Rs. 40,000 per month (approximately TA-level salary):

Gratuity = (40,000 × 15 × 7) / 26 = Rs. 42,00,000 / 26 = Rs. 1,61,538

This means approximately Rs. 1.6 lakhs gratuity after 7 years at TA-level salary.

Service Period Rounding:

Gratuity calculation rounds the service period in a specific way: if the remaining months in the last year of service are six months or more, a full additional year is counted. If less than six months, the partial year is dropped.

Example: 6 years and 8 months of service counts as 7 years for gratuity calculation. Example: 6 years and 4 months of service counts as 6 years for gratuity calculation.

The Maximum Gratuity Limit:

The Payment of Gratuity Act specifies a maximum gratuity amount. The current maximum is Rs. 20 lakhs. Any gratuity amount above this maximum (which typically applies only to very senior employees with high salaries) is paid at the employer’s discretion rather than as a statutory requirement.

Infosys’s Gratuity Practice:

Infosys maintains a gratuity fund administered by a trust or insurance company, which is funded by regular contributions. The gratuity payment to eligible employees is made from this fund. Infosys has consistently paid gratuity to eligible employees as required by law.

Seeing Gratuity in the CTC:

The Infosys offer letter includes gratuity as a component of the total CTC. The annual gratuity accrual is calculated as (Basic Salary × 15/26 / 12) per month. At the SE level with approximately Rs. 14,400 basic salary:

Monthly gratuity accrual = (14,400 × 15 / 26) / 12 = approximately Rs. 693 per month.

This amount appears in the CTC calculation but is not paid monthly; it accumulates and is paid as a lump sum on eligible separation.

Gratuity Eligibility: The Five-Year Condition

The most critical thing to know about gratuity at Infosys and any other employer is the eligibility condition: you must complete a minimum of five continuous years of service to be eligible for gratuity.

The Five-Year Rule:

An employee who leaves before completing five continuous years with the same employer is not entitled to gratuity. This rule applies regardless of why they are leaving: resignation, mutual separation, or any other voluntary departure before five years.

Exceptions to the Five-Year Rule:

Death: if an employee dies while in service, gratuity is paid to the nominee regardless of service period. Disability: if an employee becomes permanently disabled due to accident or disease, gratuity is paid regardless of service period.

What “Continuous Service” Means:

Continuous service does not mean working every single day without absence. The Payment of Gratuity Act defines continuous service to include: paid leave, medical leave, authorized absence, strikes, and layoffs. Periods of unauthorized absence that break the continuity of service can affect the calculation.

The Near-Five-Year Dilemma:

Many employees who are at four years and six to ten months of service face a genuine dilemma: leave for a significantly better opportunity now, or stay until the five-year mark specifically to earn the gratuity?

The financial calculation:

Gratuity at five years with Rs. 40,000 basic salary = (40,000 × 15 × 5) / 26 = Rs. 1,15,385

If the new opportunity offers Rs. 8 lakhs per year more than the current Infosys compensation: Time from current to five-year mark (assume 8 months): forgone income from opportunity = 8/12 × 8 lakhs = Rs. 5.33 lakhs. Gratuity earned at five-year mark = Rs. 1.15 lakhs. Net position: staying costs Rs. 5.33 lakhs in forgone income to earn Rs. 1.15 lakhs in gratuity. The decision to leave early is financially correct in this scenario.

However, if the new opportunity offers only Rs. 1 lakh per year more: Forgone income for 8 months = Rs. 67,000. Gratuity = Rs. 1.15 lakhs. Net position: staying earns Rs. 1.15 lakhs gratuity at a cost of Rs. 67,000 in forgone income. Staying to the five-year mark is financially correct.

This calculation must be done with the actual numbers in each situation. Generic advice to “always wait for gratuity” is incorrect; the decision depends on the specific compensation differential.

Gratuity Claim Process at Infosys

For employees who have met the five-year eligibility condition and are leaving Infosys, the gratuity claim process is largely handled by Infosys rather than initiated entirely by the employee.

During the Resignation and Exit Process:

When an employee completes the resignation and exit process at Infosys (serving the notice period, receiving the experience letter and relieving letter), the gratuity claim is typically initiated as part of the full and final (FnF) settlement. The Infosys HR and payroll team calculates the gratuity amount and includes it in the FnF settlement.

The full and final settlement includes: the last salary, any unpaid leave encashment, variable pay settlement, and the gratuity amount. The FnF settlement is processed within 45 to 60 days of the last working day in most cases.

The Formal Gratuity Claim Form:

Form I: the formal application for gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act. At Infosys, this form is typically integrated into the exit process. The HR team provides the form as part of exit formalities.

Some employees, particularly those who left Infosys time ago or whose gratuity was not processed as part of the FnF, may need to submit Form I separately. The form is submitted to the head of the establishment (the employer) with: name, address, nature of claim, date of termination, period of service, and the amount claimed.

Timelines for Gratuity Payment:

Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the employer must determine the gratuity amount within 30 days of the employee’s separation and pay it within 30 days of determination. Infosys processes gratuity as part of the FnF settlement, which occurs within 45 to 60 days of the last working day.

If gratuity is not received within 30 days of the employer’s determination of the amount, interest accrues at 10 percent per annum on the outstanding amount.

If Gratuity Is Disputed or Not Paid:

If Infosys disputes the gratuity claim (for example, if the employee’s service is disputed as less than five years) or if payment is delayed beyond the legal timeline, the employee can:

File a complaint with the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act (the Labour Commissioner or equivalent authority in the jurisdiction where Infosys’s establishment is located).

The Controlling Authority has the power to investigate, determine the correct gratuity amount, and direct payment.

In practice, Infosys pays gratuity to eligible employees as required. Disputes most commonly arise around whether five years of continuous service has actually been completed, particularly in cases where there were gaps or breaks in service.

Tax Implications of PF Withdrawal and Gratuity

Understanding the tax implications of PF and gratuity is essential for maximizing what you actually receive.

Tax on PF Withdrawal:

The tax treatment depends on when you withdraw:

After five years of continuous PF membership (across employers, with PF transfers counted): the entire withdrawal (principal + interest) is tax-free under Section 10(12) of the Income Tax Act.

Before five years: the employer’s contribution and the interest on employer’s contribution are taxable as salary income in the year of withdrawal. TDS is deducted at 10 percent if PAN is linked. If PAN is not linked, TDS is at 30 percent.

The practical implication: if you are withdrawing PF after only two or three years at Infosys, a portion of the withdrawal is taxable. Transferring instead of withdrawing avoids this tax entirely.

TDS on PF Withdrawal:

TDS is not deducted on PF withdrawals if:

  • The withdrawal amount is less than Rs. 50,000, OR
  • The employee has completed five years of continuous service.

TDS is deducted at 10 percent on PF withdrawals above Rs. 50,000 from accounts with less than five years of service (when PAN is linked). Submit Form 15G (for individuals below the tax bracket) or Form 15H (for senior citizens) to request no TDS deduction if your total annual income is below the taxable limit.

Tax on EPS Scheme Certificate:

When you withdraw the EPS component after less than 10 years of service, you receive a Scheme Certificate rather than a cash withdrawal. The Scheme Certificate preserves your service period and is used to claim pension later. This is not taxable.

If you choose to withdraw the EPS amount directly (only available if service is less than 6 months in the last employer), it is taxable.

Tax on Gratuity:

Gratuity tax treatment depends on the employee category:

Government employees: completely tax-free regardless of amount.

Private sector employees (Infosys employees): tax-free up to the least of:

  • The actual gratuity received, OR
  • Rs. 20 lakhs (the maximum limit), OR
  • 15/26 × last basic salary × number of years of service.

For most Infosys employees at SE, SSE, and TA levels who have worked five to ten years, the gratuity amount will be well below Rs. 20 lakhs, meaning the entire gratuity is effectively tax-free.

If gratuity exceeds Rs. 20 lakhs (which applies to senior employees with high basic salaries and very long service), the excess above Rs. 20 lakhs is taxable as income.

Reporting PF and Gratuity in Tax Returns:

Tax-exempt PF withdrawals (after five years) and tax-exempt gratuity need to be reported in the ITR (Income Tax Return) as exempt income. They are shown in the Schedule for Exempt Income but do not increase the tax liability.

Taxable PF withdrawals (before five years) are shown as income from other sources or as salary income, with the TDS certificate (Form 16A) from the PF trust as supporting documentation.

Common Problems and How to Resolve Them

Problem 1: UAN Not Activated or Password Forgotten

Resolution: Visit the UAN portal and use the “Forgot Password” option. For UAN activation from scratch, visit the EPFO member portal, click “Activate UAN,” and enter your details. If you cannot recall your UAN, it can be found on any Infosys payslip, in the InfyMe portal, or by calling the EPFO helpline with your Infosys member ID.

Problem 2: Aadhar Not Linked or Pending Approval

Resolution: Link Aadhar through the UAN portal (Manage → KYC → Aadhar). After linking, Infosys must approve it in the employer portal. For employees who have already left Infosys, the approval can be requested from the EPFO regional office through a self-declaration process since the previous employer may be unresponsive. Contact the EPFO regional office directly with the issue.

Problem 3: Exit Date Not Updated by Infosys

This is the most common delay cause for former employees attempting to withdraw PF. If you resigned from Infosys and your exit date has not been updated in the EPFO employer portal, the withdrawal application will be held up.

Resolution: Contact Infosys HR/payroll team via the official HR helpdesk (accessible through the Infosys Sparsh system for current employees, or through the official Infosys HR contact for former employees). Provide your employee ID, last working date, and the fact that you need the exit date updated in EPFO. Alternatively, file a grievance on the EPFiGMS portal (epfigms.gov.in) requesting EPFO to take up the matter with the employer.

Problem 4: Name Mismatch Between UAN Record and Aadhar

Resolution: If your name in the EPFO/UAN record does not exactly match your name in Aadhar, KYC linking may fail. Two resolution paths:

Update the EPFO record: submit a joint declaration (employer and employee together) to the EPFO regional office using Form 11 with correct name, supported by Aadhar as the authoritative document.

Update Aadhar: if the Aadhar name is the error, update it through the UIDAI portal (ssup.uidai.gov.in) with supporting documents (school certificate, PAN card).

Problem 5: Bank Account IFSC Changed After Linking

Many banks have consolidated branches and changed IFSC codes. If the IFSC code linked to your UAN is outdated, the PF credit will fail.

Resolution: update the bank account details in the UAN portal (Manage → KYC → Bank Account). The new bank account details need employer approval to be verified. For former employees, self-approval may be available through Aadhar OTP-based verification depending on the EPFO system status.

Problem 6: PF Not Showing in New Employer’s Account After Transfer

After initiating a transfer, the balance typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to appear in the new employer’s account.

Resolution: wait at least 8 weeks. If after 8 weeks the transfer has not completed, check the UAN portal for the transfer claim status. If the status is still “Under Process,” raise a grievance on EPFiGMS with the transfer acknowledgment number.

Problem 7: Gratuity Amount Not Received After FnF Settlement

If your full and final settlement has been received but the gratuity component is missing:

Step 1: Review the FnF calculation sheet sent by Infosys HR. Verify whether gratuity was included.

Step 2: If gratuity was intentionally excluded by Infosys (for example, because they assert that you have not completed five years), review your service period carefully. If you believe five years are completed, calculate using the continuous service definition.

Step 3: Send a formal written claim (Form I under the Payment of Gratuity Act) to the establishment head at Infosys requesting payment within the statutory timeframe.

Step 4: If not resolved within 30 days, file a complaint with the Controlling Authority for Gratuity in the state where your Infosys office was located.

PF and Gratuity for Employees Who Were Terminated

Employees who were separated from Infosys through retrenchment, layoff, or termination (rather than voluntary resignation) have specific rights with respect to PF and gratuity.

PF for Terminated Employees:

PF withdrawal rights are identical for terminated employees and resigned employees. The PF belongs to you regardless of the circumstances of separation. The UAN-based withdrawal process is the same.

One practical difference: if you were terminated without full notice pay settlement, and Infosys has not updated your exit date promptly in the EPFO system, the withdrawal application will face the same employer exit date update issue described in Problem 3 above. Raise this through the EPFO grievance mechanism if Infosys HR is unresponsive after termination.

Gratuity for Terminated Employees:

The gratuity entitlement for terminated employees depends on the reason for termination:

Termination due to redundancy or company restructuring (not for cause): gratuity is payable if the five-year eligibility condition is met. Infosys must pay gratuity in this case.

Termination for misconduct (willful omission, riotous or disorderly conduct, crime involving moral turpitude): under the Payment of Gratuity Act, gratuity can be forfeited partially or fully for termination on grounds of willful omission or misconduct. This is an exceptional provision.

Performance-based separation (mutual separation, performance improvement plan exit): these are typically treated as agreed separations rather than terminations for cause, and gratuity is payable if the five-year condition is met.

Layoffs and Retrenchment:

If you were laid off by Infosys (covered under the Industrial Disputes Act), retrenchment compensation is a separate statutory payment (15 days’ wages for each completed year of service) that is in addition to PF and gratuity. Retrenchment compensation applies to employees who have been laid off, not to those who resigned voluntarily.

PF and Gratuity Planning for Current Infosys Employees

For employees currently at Infosys who want to think about their PF and gratuity strategically, the following planning points are worth internalizing early in the career.

Keep Your UAN Active and KYC Updated:

Activate your UAN from the first payslip. Link Aadhar, PAN, and bank account. This takes one hour and prevents significant complications later.

Know Your PF Balance:

Check your PF balance at least quarterly through the UAN portal or SMS. The balance should be growing each month; if contributions are missing for multiple months, raise a concern with Infosys HR.

Update Your UAN Nominee:

Log in to the UAN portal and verify the nominee details under Manage → e-Nomination. The nominee is the person who receives the PF balance in the event of your death. Update this whenever your family situation changes (marriage, children).

The Four-Year Decision Point:

At four years and six months of service at Infosys, you enter the zone where the gratuity eligibility decision becomes relevant for career moves. Do the calculation (as shown in the gratuity eligibility section) before making your move decision, rather than discovering the gratuity calculation after you have already handed in your resignation.

Maintain a PF Passbook Archive:

Download and save your UAN passbook annually. This creates a record of your contribution history that is useful if there are ever disputes about the total accumulated amount or if the EPFO records have gaps.

The Long Service Calculation:

For employees who plan to stay at Infosys for ten or more years, the gratuity at various salary levels accumulates to significant amounts:

At TL level (approximate basic salary Rs. 70,000): 10 years of service → gratuity = (70,000 × 15 × 10) / 26 = Rs. 4,03,846.

At DM level (approximate basic salary Rs. 1,20,000): 15 years → gratuity = (1,20,000 × 15 × 15) / 26 = Rs. 10,38,461.

These amounts are tax-free (below the Rs. 20 lakh limit). Knowing these figures makes the financial value of service tenure visible as a concrete long-term benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to receive PF after withdrawal from Infosys?

Online PF withdrawals processed through the UAN portal are typically settled within 15 to 20 working days (3 to 4 calendar weeks) from submission. The timeline can extend if there are KYC issues, exit date update delays, or EPFO field office backlogs. If not settled after 25 working days, file a grievance on EPFiGMS.

2. Can I withdraw my PF while still employed at Infosys?

The full PF balance can only be withdrawn after leaving employment. However, partial advance withdrawals (Form 31) are available while still employed for specific purposes: housing, medical emergency, marriage, education, and natural calamities, subject to conditions.

3. What happens to my PF if I do not withdraw or transfer after leaving Infosys?

Your PF balance remains in the EPFO account under your UAN. As of the EPFO’s current rules, accounts that have not received contributions for three consecutive years are classified as “inoperative accounts.” Inoperative accounts still earn interest until age 58, but the interest for inoperative accounts was at a lower rate historically. The balance does not disappear; it can be claimed at any time. However, leaving it unclaimed indefinitely is not ideal; either withdraw or transfer within a reasonable period.

4. I worked at Infosys for only 2 years. Is my PF still accessible?

Yes. PF belongs to you regardless of how long you worked. You can withdraw the EPF balance after leaving. Note that the withdrawal will be partially taxable (since you have not completed five years of continuous service), and TDS will be deducted at 10% if the amount exceeds Rs. 50,000 and PAN is linked.

5. How do I know my Infosys PF member ID?

Your PF member ID is printed on your salary slip (payslip) every month. It is also visible in the InfyMe portal under the PF section. The format is typically: state code + EPFO regional office code + establishment code + member number.

6. What is the difference between EPF and EPS, and can I withdraw both?

EPF (Employee Provident Fund) is the main PF account that accumulates your contributions plus Infosys’s direct EPF contribution plus interest. This is the primary withdrawable amount.

EPS (Employee Pension Scheme) accumulates the pension contributions. For employees with less than 10 years of service: you can either receive an EPS Scheme Certificate (which preserves the service period for future pension calculation) or take a lump sum withdrawal if you have between 6 months and 10 years of service. For employees with 10 or more years: the EPS is converted to a monthly pension starting from age 58.

7. Is the gratuity paid by Infosys based on last basic salary or total CTC?

Gratuity is calculated on last drawn basic salary plus dearness allowance, not on total CTC. At Infosys, dearness allowance is typically zero or negligible for most employees (it is more relevant in government employment). The relevant salary for gratuity calculation is the basic salary component of your payslip.

8. Can I claim gratuity if I resigned from Infosys after four years and eleven months?

No. The five-year eligibility condition must be completed. Four years and eleven months of service does not qualify. However, if your service was four years and six months or more, the rounding rule applies to the calculation period (not the eligibility threshold). The eligibility condition is five years; only the years calculated for the amount uses the six-month rounding rule.

9. My Infosys exit date is wrong in the EPFO system. How do I fix it?

Contact the Infosys HR/payroll team (through Sparsh for former employees who still have access, or through the official Infosys contact for those who do not). Provide your employee ID and the correct last working date. If Infosys HR is unresponsive, file a grievance on the EPFO grievance portal (epfigms.gov.in) describing the issue. EPFO can take up the matter with the employer.

10. How do I link my previous employer’s PF to my Infosys PF account if I joined Infosys with a prior employer’s UAN?

If you have the same UAN from a previous employer and Infosys has added a new member ID under the same UAN, the accounts are already linked under the same UAN. You can transfer the previous employer’s PF balance to the Infosys account through the UAN portal transfer process (Online Services → One Member - One EPF Account).

11. What is the maximum amount of PF I can withdraw?

You can withdraw the entire EPF balance (100%) when leaving employment after meeting the waiting conditions. For full withdrawal after resignation, the full amount including all contributions and accumulated interest can be withdrawn. Partial withdrawals have specific limits based on purpose (see the partial withdrawal section).

12. If I die while employed at Infosys, what happens to my PF and gratuity?

PF: the full EPF balance plus accrued interest is paid to the nominee registered in the UAN portal. If no nominee is registered, it is paid to the legal heir.

EPS: a family pension is payable to the spouse and children under the EPS scheme, regardless of service period.

Gratuity: paid to the nominee (or legal heir) regardless of service period (no five-year condition applies in case of death during service).

13. Can I withdraw PF while waiting for a job after leaving Infosys?

Yes. There is no requirement to have a new job before withdrawing PF. The standard condition is that you must have been unemployed for at least two months (for full withdrawal). If you are between jobs, you can initiate the withdrawal process after two months from your last working day at Infosys.

14. How is interest calculated on PF?

PF interest is calculated on the running balance each month but credited annually at the end of the financial year. The rate is declared by the EPFO Central Board of Trustees annually. In recent years the rate has been approximately 8 to 8.5 percent per annum. Interest is not compounded quarterly; it is simple interest on the monthly running balance and credited as a lump sum annually.

15. Does Infosys’s employer PF contribution affect my in-hand salary?

Infosys’s employer PF contribution (12% of basic salary) is not deducted from your salary; it is paid by Infosys on top of your salary. The only PF-related deduction from your take-home is your own employee contribution (12% of basic). The employer contribution is part of the CTC figure but does not reduce your monthly gross salary.

The Full and Final Settlement at Infosys: What to Expect

The full and final (FnF) settlement is the complete financial reconciliation that happens after an Infosys employee’s last working day. Understanding what it includes, how it is calculated, and what the typical timeline is prevents the surprises that many departing employees encounter.

What the FnF Settlement Includes:

Salary for last working month: calculated on a per-day basis for the actual days worked in the final partial month.

Leave encashment: Infosys allows encashment of accumulated leaves (PL - Privilege Leave) at the time of separation. The number of leaves that can be encashed is subject to company policy limits. The formula is typically: (Basic Salary / 26) × Number of leaves encashed.

Variable pay settlement: if the last appraisal cycle is pending at the time of separation, the variable pay is either included in the FnF or paid separately once the appraisal cycle is closed.

Gratuity: if five years of service are completed, the gratuity amount calculated as described in the gratuity section.

Recovery of notice pay shortfall (if applicable): if the employee did not serve the full notice period and notice pay recovery was agreed, this deduction appears in the FnF.

Recovery of any salary advance or outstanding loans from Infosys (if applicable).

Reimbursement of pending expense claims.

The FnF Timeline:

Under Indian labour law, the full and final settlement should be completed within 30 to 45 days of the last working day. Infosys’s standard FnF processing timeline is typically 45 to 60 days from the last working day, which is within the generally accepted industry practice range.

Delays in FnF can occur if: the final appraisal is pending, there are open expense claims that need approval, there is a dispute about notice period or leave balance, or there are documentation issues.

The FnF Tax Certificate:

With the FnF settlement, Infosys issues the Form 16 for the complete financial year (for the portion of the year worked) and a separation letter confirming the last date of employment, gratuity paid, and leave encashment. These documents are needed for the income tax return and for background verification by the next employer.

Reviewing the FnF Calculation:

When the FnF calculation sheet is received from Infosys HR, review it specifically for:

  • Is the salary calculation correct for the partial month?
  • Is the leave balance accurate (matches what was shown in InfyMe before resignation)?
  • Is the variable pay included or explained as pending?
  • If five years are completed, is gratuity included?
  • Are there any deductions that were not expected?

If any component is incorrect or missing, raise the concern with Infosys HR payroll team in writing (email) with specific details. Keep a record of the communication.

The NPS at Infosys: How It Relates to PF

Some Infosys employees are enrolled in the National Pension System (NPS) as an additional retirement savings vehicle. Understanding how NPS and EPF coexist helps employees manage both benefits.

What NPS Is:

The National Pension System is a voluntary, long-term retirement savings scheme regulated by the PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority). Unlike EPF (which is mandatory), NPS enrollment is optional. Infosys may offer NPS as part of a flexible benefits plan where employees can choose to direct a portion of their salary into NPS instead of receiving it as taxable income.

How NPS Differs From EPF at Infosys:

EPF: mandatory for all eligible employees, managed by EPFO, fixed contribution percentage, government-guaranteed interest rate, fully withdrawable at separation (with tax implications).

NPS: optional (where offered), managed by pension fund managers, market-linked returns (you choose from equity, corporate bonds, and government securities), primarily designed as a retirement product (partial withdrawal allowed but with restrictions).

NPS Tax Benefits:

NPS contributions are deductible under Section 80CCD(1) up to 10 percent of salary (within the Rs. 1.5 lakh 80C limit) and additionally under Section 80CCD(1B) for up to Rs. 50,000 over and above the 80C limit. This Rs. 50,000 additional NPS deduction is one of the few remaining tax deductions available in both the old and new tax regimes.

Withdrawing NPS on Leaving Infosys:

Unlike EPF, NPS is not tied to employment. When you leave Infosys, the NPS account continues under your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) regardless of employment status. You can continue contributing individually, your new employer can contribute, or the account can remain dormant.

Withdrawing NPS before age 60 is allowed (technically it is called premature exit) but with significant restrictions: you must annuitize at least 80 percent of the corpus (purchase a pension annuity) and can take only 20 percent as a lump sum. This makes NPS less flexible than EPF for mid-career financial needs.

For Infosys employees with NPS, the recommendation is the same as for EPF: do not prematurely exit the NPS at job change; maintain the account under your PRAN and continue or transfer contributions through your new employer.

PF and Gratuity for Infosys Freshers: Building the Foundation

For freshers who have just joined Infosys, the PF deduction on the first payslip may seem like a loss of take-home pay. The correct perspective is that it is a forced savings with significant long-term compounding value and tax advantages.

The Fresher SE PF Calculation (Approximate):

At 3.6 LPA, approximate basic salary = Rs. 14,400 per month.

Your PF contribution = 12% of Rs. 14,400 = Rs. 1,728 per month. Infosys PF contribution = 3.67% of Rs. 14,400 = Rs. 528 per month. Total EPF per month = Rs. 2,256.

After one year: Rs. 27,072 in EPF contributions. With 8.25% interest: approximately Rs. 28,200. After two years: approximately Rs. 59,000 in EPF. After five years (at the same salary level): approximately Rs. 1.5 lakhs in EPF.

In practice, salary grows with increments and promotions, so the EPF balance grows faster than a flat salary projection suggests.

Why This Matters for the Fresher:

The EPF balance at five years provides both gratuity eligibility and a meaningful emergency fund alternative. While EPF should not be the primary emergency fund (liquid savings are better for that purpose), knowing that Rs. 1.5 to 2 lakhs is accumulating in a government-backed account at 8.25% is financial security that has value.

The Fresher Action Items for PF:

In the first week at Mysore:

  1. Find your UAN in InfyMe or on your first payslip.
  2. Activate the UAN on the EPFO portal.
  3. Link Aadhar, PAN, and bank account through the UAN portal.
  4. Submit for employer (Infosys) KYC approval.
  5. Register a nominee in the UAN e-Nomination.

These five steps take approximately one hour and prevent months of complications later.

Infosys PF Trust vs EPFO: Does It Matter for You?

Some large Indian companies operate their own PF trusts rather than depositing employee PF contributions with EPFO directly. Understanding whether Infosys uses a PF trust affects the withdrawal and transfer process.

Infosys PF Trust:

Infosys operates a company-managed Provident Fund Trust that is exempt from depositing contributions with EPFO (this is an “Exempt Trust” arrangement available to companies that can meet certain EPFO requirements). This means Infosys maintains and manages the PF contributions internally through the Infosys Provident Fund Trust rather than through the EPFO system directly.

What This Means for Employees:

PF Passbook: the passbook view through the UAN portal may not show real-time data for employees at companies with exempt trusts; the data is updated periodically by the trust.

Withdrawal Process: for employees at Infosys under the exempt trust arrangement, the withdrawal claim may be processed through Infosys’s own HR/payroll system rather than entirely through the EPFO online portal. The Infosys HR team can provide specific guidance on the current withdrawal process for the trust.

Transfer Process: transferring PF from an Infosys exempt trust to an EPFO-administered account at a new employer, or vice versa, follows a specific process. The EPFO transfer mechanism (Form 13) works for these transfers but may involve additional steps.

Interest Rate: EPFO-exempt trusts are required to offer at least the interest rate declared by EPFO. In practice, some trusts offer the same rate; some offer marginally higher rates. Infosys’s PF trust interest rate policy is communicated through payroll/HR channels.

Practical Impact:

For most employees, the exempt trust arrangement does not materially change the experience. The UAN remains the primary identifier, KYC linking works the same way, and the overall process for withdrawal or transfer is structurally similar. The main practical difference is that for specific issues (contribution updates, exit date updates, claim processing), you interact with Infosys’s internal PF team rather than with EPFO directly for the initial resolution.

If the Infosys PF team is unresponsive, the EPFO grievance mechanism is the escalation path.

Using EPFIGMS: The Grievance Portal That Solves Most Problems

The EPF Internet Grievance Management System (EPFIGMS) is the most important resource for resolving PF-related issues that cannot be resolved through normal channels. Every former Infosys employee with a PF issue should know how to use it.

What EPFIGMS Can Resolve:

Exit date not updated by employer: lodge a grievance specifying your employee ID, last working date, PF member ID, and the fact that the exit date has not been updated. EPFO takes up the matter with the employer.

Claim not settled within 25 working days: file a grievance with your claim reference number requesting expedited processing.

Aadhar linking issues that Infosys HR has not resolved: some issues can be escalated to EPFO regional office level through the grievance system.

Transfer not processed despite employer approval: grievance lodged with the transfer acknowledgment number.

Contribution discrepancies: if your passbook shows contributions missing for specific months, file a grievance identifying the months and requesting investigation.

How to File a Grievance on EPFIGMS:

  1. Visit epfigms.gov.in.
  2. Click “Register Grievance.”
  3. Enter your PF member ID or UAN.
  4. Select the grievance category (KYC, settlement, transfer, other).
  5. Describe the grievance in the text field: be specific about what the issue is, what you have already tried, and what you need EPFO to do.
  6. Attach supporting documents (employer communication if relevant, claim acknowledgment number, etc.).
  7. Submit and note the grievance registration number for tracking.

EPFIGMS Response Time:

EPFIGMS grievances are typically acknowledged within 3 to 5 days. Resolution timelines vary by issue type: employer-related issues (exit date updates) may take 2 to 4 weeks to resolve. Processing delays on in-flight claims may be resolved faster.

For unresolved grievances, escalation to the EPFO Regional Commissioner or further to the Central PF Commissioner is available through the grievance hierarchy.

The EPFIGMS Strategy for Former Infosys Employees:

If your Infosys exit date is not updated and the Infosys HR team is unresponsive (this sometimes happens for employees who left under difficult circumstances or whose HR contact has changed), the EPFIGMS grievance is the most reliable resolution mechanism. EPFO has authority to require employers to update records and can impose penalties for non-compliance, which gives the grievance mechanism genuine enforcement power.

PF Contributions and the Higher Wage Option

A lesser-known aspect of EPF is the option for higher contributions, which some Infosys employees may consider as a tax planning tool.

The Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF):

Employees can contribute more than the mandatory 12 percent of basic salary through the Voluntary Provident Fund. The additional contribution (above 12%) goes into the same EPF account and earns the same interest rate.

VPF contributions are deductible under Section 80C up to the Rs. 1.5 lakh annual limit. For employees who have not fully used their 80C deduction through other instruments (PPF, ELSS, life insurance, home loan principal), contributing more through VPF is one way to use the remaining 80C headroom.

Limitations of High PF Contributions Post-Budget:

The Union Budget 2021 introduced a change affecting high PF contributors: interest earned on employee PF contributions above Rs. 2.5 lakhs per year (Rs. 5 lakhs per year for government employees) is now taxable. For most Infosys employees at SE and SSE levels, annual EPF contributions are well below Rs. 2.5 lakhs, so this change has no impact. It primarily affects very high-salary employees who were using VPF as a tax-sheltered savings vehicle.

At SE level: annual EPF contributions = Rs. 1,728 × 12 = Rs. 20,736, far below the Rs. 2.5 lakh limit. At TL level (approximate basic Rs. 55,000): annual EPF = Rs. 6,600 × 12 = Rs. 79,200, still below the limit. Only at very high salary levels (basic salary above approximately Rs. 1.74 lakhs per month) does employee EPF contribution exceed Rs. 2.5 lakhs annually.

How to Enroll in VPF at Infosys:

VPF election is done through the InfyMe portal or through the payroll team by submitting a form specifying the additional percentage contribution desired. Changes to VPF contributions are typically processed for the next payroll cycle.

EPS Pension: What Happens After Retirement

For Infosys employees planning long-term, understanding the EPS (Employee Pension Scheme) pension entitlement provides a complete picture of the retirement benefit package.

The EPS Pension Calculation:

Monthly Pension = (Pensionable Salary × Pensionable Service) / 70

Where: Pensionable Salary: the average monthly salary in the last 60 months before retirement (capped at Rs. 15,000 for employees who did not opt for the higher pension scheme). Pensionable Service: years of EPS contributions, capped at 35 years.

For an Infosys employee who contributes to EPS for 25 years and retires with a pensionable salary of Rs. 15,000 (the standard cap): Monthly Pension = (15,000 × 25) / 70 = Rs. 5,357 per month.

This is a modest amount in retirement planning terms, but it is a guaranteed, inflation-linked (partially) monthly income for life.

The Higher Pension Option:

The Supreme Court of India’s ruling in 2022 and the subsequent EPFO circular gave eligible employees the option to contribute to EPS on their actual salary (not capped at Rs. 15,000) if they had joined EPFO membership before September 2014 and their employer (Infosys) was willing to contribute the additional amount.

For employees who opted for the higher pension, the pensionable salary for EPS calculation is the actual basic salary, which significantly increases the monthly pension at retirement. However, this also means a larger EPS contribution during working years (funded by the employer), reducing the EPF balance.

The higher pension option has a specific eligibility window and application deadline. Employees who were not informed of this option or who missed the deadline may have limited recourse at this point.

EPS Benefit for Shorter Service:

For employees who leave Infosys with less than 10 years of EPS service:

  • Less than 6 months: the EPS amount is refunded directly.
  • 6 months to 9 years 11 months: you receive a Scheme Certificate that preserves the service period and pensionable salary for future EPS pension calculation when you reach retirement.

The Scheme Certificate is the correct path for most career-mobile employees: preserve the service period across employers, even if you change jobs multiple times, and accumulate toward the 10-year minimum for EPS pension eligibility.

The Financial Planning Perspective: PF as Part of Your Retirement Portfolio

For Infosys employees who think about their overall financial planning, PF and gratuity fit into a broader picture that is worth understanding explicitly.

PF as Fixed Income Component:

Your EPF balance is essentially a fixed-income investment at government-guaranteed 8 to 8.5 percent per annum with full tax exemption (under the five-year condition). This is among the best risk-adjusted returns available for a guaranteed instrument in India. For comparison: bank FDs offer 6.5 to 7.5 percent and are fully taxable.

In a diversified retirement portfolio, EPF serves as the fixed-income, low-risk anchor. Equity investments (ELSS, direct equity, equity mutual funds) should complement the EPF, not replace it.

The Three-Pillar Retirement Framework:

A sound retirement strategy for an Infosys employee might look like this:

Pillar 1 (Government-backed guaranteed): EPF + NPS (if opted) + PPF (self-funded separately). These instruments provide a stable, tax-advantaged retirement corpus with government backing.

Pillar 2 (Market-linked long-term equity): equity mutual funds through SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) started early. For a 25-year-old Infosys fresher who starts a monthly SIP of Rs. 5,000 in an equity fund, the 30-year corpus at 12 percent CAGR exceeds Rs. 1.75 crores.

Pillar 3 (Emergency and medium-term): liquid savings in a high-yield savings account or liquid mutual fund for immediate needs, distinct from the retirement corpus.

PF and gratuity together represent Pillar 1 for most Infosys employees. The better the career outcome (longer tenure, higher salary, careful PF management through transfers rather than premature withdrawals), the stronger Pillar 1 becomes over time.

The Cost of Premature PF Withdrawal:

The most common financial mistake Infosys employees make is withdrawing PF at every job change rather than transferring. Over a 30-year career with 5 job changes and PF withdrawal each time rather than transfer:

Assume each withdrawal is Rs. 2 lakhs. Five withdrawals = Rs. 10 lakhs received over 30 years.

If instead the same Rs. 10 lakhs had remained in the EPF system throughout (through transfers), growing at 8.25% for an average of 15 years: approximately Rs. 34.2 lakhs.

The difference of Rs. 24 lakhs represents the cost of five premature withdrawals. This calculation, understood once, changes the PF management behavior for life.

Quick Reference: PF and Gratuity at Infosys

The following reference table covers the most commonly needed PF and gratuity facts for Infosys employees.

Question Answer
Your contribution to EPF 12% of basic salary
Infosys EPF contribution 3.67% of basic salary
Infosys EPS contribution 8.33% of basic salary (capped at Rs. 15,000 basic)
PF interest rate ~8.25% per annum (declared annually by EPFO)
Minimum service for gratuity 5 continuous years
Gratuity formula (Basic × 15 × Years) / 26
Gratuity max tax-free Rs. 20 lakhs
Tax on PF withdrawal before 5 years Taxable; TDS at 10% if PAN linked
Tax on PF withdrawal after 5 years Fully exempt
Standard PF claim processing time 15-20 working days
Standard PF transfer time 4-8 weeks
FnF settlement timeline 45-60 days from last working day
UAN portal address unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
EPFO grievance portal epfigms.gov.in
EPFO helpline 1800-118-005
PF balance SMS number 7738299899
EPS minimum service for pension 10 years
EPS minimum monthly pension Rs. 1,000

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your PF and Gratuity

PF and gratuity are automatic benefits that require deliberate management to yield their full value. The employees who get the most from these benefits are those who: activate their UAN from day one, never withdraw prematurely (always transfer), understand the five-year gratuity threshold and factor it into career timing decisions, file grievances promptly when there are issues, and think of PF as a long-term fixed-income asset rather than an emergency fund.

The steps are specific and actionable. The financial outcomes over a 30-year career are substantial. The difference between an employee who manages these benefits deliberately and one who ignores them until they need to deal with them is measured in lakhs of rupees.

This guide provides everything needed to be in the first category. Use it at each relevant stage: at joining, at each career move, at the five-year mark, and at eventual retirement or pre-retirement planning.

The money is already being set aside each month through your payslip deduction. The only remaining variable is whether you manage it well enough to let it grow to its full potential.

Step-by-Step: The First Month After Leaving Infosys

Many employees focus heavily on their last day at Infosys and the notice period but do not have a clear plan for the first month after leaving. This section provides that plan specifically for PF and gratuity management.

Day 1-7 After Last Working Day:

Confirm with Infosys HR that your exit has been recorded in their system and that the EPFO exit date update has been initiated. Get a written confirmation email.

Download your final payslip and any available PF passbook data for your records.

Obtain the experience letter and relieving letter from Infosys HR. These are needed for your new employer’s background verification.

If you received gratuity as part of the FnF (if five years of service were completed), verify the amount against your own calculation and confirm receipt to bank.

Day 8-14:

Log in to the UAN portal and verify your PF balance and passbook. The exit date may not yet be reflected.

If you have a new employer, confirm with their HR team that a new PF member ID has been created for you under your UAN. Get the new member ID.

Decide: transfer or withdraw? If transferring (the recommended choice), identify whether you will use previous employer attestation or current employer attestation.

Day 15-30:

If transferring: initiate the transfer request on the UAN portal (Online Services → Transfer Request) selecting the appropriate attestation party.

If withdrawing: verify all prerequisites (Aadhar approved, PAN linked, bank account linked, exit date updated). If the exit date is not updated, follow up with Infosys HR. File EPFIGMS grievance if unresponsive.

Keep the transfer acknowledgment number or claim reference number for tracking.

Day 30-60:

Track the transfer or withdrawal status through the UAN portal.

If the status has not progressed, follow up with the attesting employer’s HR team (for transfers) or file an EPFIGMS grievance (for withdrawals with exit date issues).

Verify that the FnF settlement has been processed and received completely. If any component is missing, raise a formal written query with Infosys HR payroll.

If you are eligible for gratuity and it has not been included in the FnF, send the formal Form I claim to Infosys.

Day 60-90:

Transfer should be fully completed by this point. Verify the new employer’s PF passbook reflects the incoming transfer.

If withdrawal was initiated, it should have been settled by now. Verify the bank credit.

Ensure Form 16 for the current financial year (covering the Infosys employment period) has been received. This is needed for the annual income tax return.

Summary: The 10 Most Important Things to Know About Infosys PF and Gratuity

  1. Your EPF balance is yours: it accumulates monthly and belongs to you regardless of how long you work at Infosys. It does not expire and does not revert to Infosys.

  2. Activate your UAN on day one: the UAN portal, KYC linking, and nominee registration take one hour and prevent months of complications.

  3. Always transfer, rarely withdraw: premature PF withdrawal is taxable and destroys long-term compounding. Transfer to the new employer’s account unless you genuinely need the funds immediately.

  4. The five-year gratuity threshold is a real financial variable: factor it into career move timing decisions rather than discovering it after the fact.

  5. Gratuity is calculated on basic salary, not CTC: the calculation uses basic salary divided by 26 multiplied by 15 days per year.

  6. Tax-free PF applies after five years: PF withdrawn after five continuous years of service (across employers with PF transfers counted) is completely tax-free.

  7. EPFIGMS is the solution to most stuck PF issues: when Infosys HR is unresponsive on exit date updates or other PF matters, the EPFO grievance portal has enforcement power.

  8. The EPS component is separate: the pension component of your PF accumulates separately and converts to a monthly pension if you have 10+ years of total EPS service across your career.

  9. The FnF settlement should arrive within 45-60 days: if it has not, follow up in writing. Get a calculation sheet and verify every line item.

  10. Infosys operates an exempt PF trust: the UAN is still the primary identifier, but specific issues may require coordination with Infosys’s internal PF team rather than EPFO directly.

These ten points summarize everything that matters most for managing PF and gratuity effectively throughout and after an Infosys career. Acting on them from the first day at Infosys produces the best possible financial outcome from these statutory benefits.

Troubleshooting the UAN Portal: Common Technical Issues

The EPFO UAN portal is a government system that works well when all prerequisites are in order but can be confusing when errors occur. The following troubleshooting guide covers the most common issues.

Issue: “Invalid Credentials” on UAN Portal Login

The most common cause is using the wrong password. The UAN portal password must be at least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, and number. If you have forgotten the password, use “Forgot Password” on the login page. The OTP is sent to the mobile number registered with your UAN (which may be your Infosys-registered number if you activated UAN while at Infosys).

If you cannot receive OTP on the registered mobile (number changed, lost access), contact the EPFO helpline to update the mobile number through identity verification.

Issue: Claim Option Not Available (Greyed Out)

The online claim option is available only when all three conditions are met: Aadhar is linked and approved, bank account is linked, and the exit date is updated in EPFO. If any of these is pending, the claim options are greyed out or show error messages. Resolve all three prerequisites before attempting to submit a claim.

Issue: “Member ID Not Found” During Transfer Initiation

This occurs when the old member ID (Infosys PF account) is not visible in the UAN portal as a previous account. Causes: the old member ID may not have been linked to your UAN properly during Infosys onboarding, or the data has not synced.

Resolution: contact EPFO regional office with your UAN and old Infosys member ID, requesting that the old member ID be linked to your UAN. This requires submitting a written request with identity proof to the regional office.

Issue: KYC Shows “Pending Approval” Indefinitely

For current Infosys employees, Aadhar KYC pending approval means the Infosys payroll/HR team has not yet approved it in the employer portal. Submit a request through Sparsh (InfyMe HR helpdesk) specifically asking for KYC approval. For former employees, former employer approval may not be possible. In this case, the EPFO has an Aadhar-based self-verification option for some KYC updates. Contact the EPFO regional office to understand the available path.

Issue: OTP Not Received During Claim Submission

The OTP during PF claim submission is sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhar (not necessarily your UAN-registered mobile). If your Aadhar mobile number is different from your UAN mobile number, the OTP goes to the Aadhar-linked mobile. Ensure you have access to both numbers during the claim submission process.

If the OTP consistently fails even with the correct number, try:

  • Submitting the claim during off-peak hours (EPFO systems can be slow during business hours).
  • Clearing browser cache and cookies.
  • Trying a different browser.
  • Waiting 30 minutes and retrying.

Issue: Passbook Shows Old Balance and Missing Contributions

The UAN passbook typically has a 30 to 60 day update lag. If contributions for the most recent one to two months are not visible, wait for the next update cycle. If contributions from three or more months ago are missing, it may indicate a contribution shortfall by the employer. File an EPFIGMS grievance specifying the months with missing contributions.

PF for Employees on International Deputation

Some Infosys employees are deputed to client sites abroad for extended periods. Understanding how PF works during international deputation prevents surprises upon return or separation.

PF Contributions During Deputation:

PF contributions continue during international deputation as long as the employee remains on Infosys’s Indian payroll. If the employee is on a local payroll at the international location rather than the Indian payroll, PF contributions may cease during that period.

The standard Infosys deputation structure for shorter stints maintains the Indian payroll, meaning PF continues. For longer assignments, the payroll structure depends on the specific arrangement.

The Social Security Agreement:

India has bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSA or Totalization Agreements) with several countries including the USA, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and others. Under these agreements, Indian employees on deputation to these countries are typically exempt from paying into the host country’s social security system (since they are already contributing to India’s EPF/EPS).

A Certificate of Coverage (COC) is required to prove this exemption. The COC is obtained from EPFO. Infosys’s global mobility team typically handles the COC application for deputed employees.

Returning from International Deputation:

Upon returning to India, if the employee’s payroll reverted to local for the international period, there may be a gap in PF contributions. The total service period for gratuity is typically not affected by authorized international deputation even if PF contributions were not made for the period, but the specific calculation should be confirmed with Infosys HR.

This Article Is Part of the InsightCrunch Infosys Series

This guide is Article 20 in the InsightCrunch Infosys Series, the most comprehensive collection of guides covering every stage of an Infosys career. The full series includes articles on hiring process, salary structure, InfyTQ, Power Programmer and DSE, Mysore training, career growth, IT company comparison, work culture and exit, HackWithInfy, product company transitions, aptitude questions, technical interview, HR interview, offer letter and joining, background verification, placement papers, non-IT branches, Springboard, ASE and Specialist Programmer, and this PF and gratuity guide.

Together, the 20 articles provide the depth and specificity that was previously only available from experienced HR professionals or financial advisors. Every article is written with the same standard: specific, honest, actionable, and comprehensive.

PF Nomination: The Step Most Employees Skip

The UAN e-Nomination is one of the most important but least completed steps in PF setup. The nomination determines who receives your PF balance if you die while the account is active. Without a registered nomination, the claim process for your family becomes significantly more complex, requiring legal heir certificates and potentially long delays during an already difficult time.

Who Can Be a Nominee:

Any family member can be nominated: spouse, children, parents, or siblings. If you have a spouse, they should be the primary nominee for PF. Parents can be nominees if you have no immediate family dependents.

How to Register the e-Nomination:

Log in to the UAN portal. Go to Manage → e-Nomination. Enter nominee details: name, relationship, date of birth, Aadhar number, and share percentage (if multiple nominees). Confirm with Aadhar OTP. The nomination is registered and can be updated at any time.

When to Update the Nomination:

Marriage: update immediately after marriage to add or make your spouse the primary nominee.

Children born: add children as secondary nominees.

Death of a nominee: remove the deceased nominee and add a replacement immediately.

The nomination update takes five minutes and should be reviewed annually alongside other financial documents.

What Happens Without a Valid Nomination:

If no e-Nomination is registered and the employee dies, the family must claim the PF balance through a legal succession certificate process. This can take months or years and involves court proceedings. For a young Infosys employee with a relatively modest PF balance, the legal process to claim it can cost more in time and fees than the balance itself. Completing the nomination in the first week at Infosys eliminates this risk entirely.