Central

Section 19 of The Seamens Provident Fund Act, 1966

Where a seaman leaves the seafaring profession with no present intention of resuming that profession and obtains employment in any establishment to which the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952 (19 of 1952), applies, the amount standing to the credit of such seaman in the Fund shall be transferred, within such time as may be specified by the Board in this behalf, to the credit of his account in the provident fund of that establishment, if the seaman so desires and the rules in relation to that provident fund permit such transfer.

Summary

Seamen can transfer their PF money if they quit the seafaring profession for good.
There must be "no present intention" of returning to work as a seaman.
The new job must be in an establishment covered by the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952.
The transfer is only done if the seaman wants it (if they "so desire").
The rules of the new job's provident fund must allow such a transfer.
The Board sets the timeframe within which the money must be moved.

Practical examples

1In December 2026, Seaman Peter decides to retire from the sea and starts a job at a car factory covered by the 1952 PF Act. He tells the Board he wants to move his seafaring PF balance to his new factory account.

2A ship cook named Sunita leaves her job to work in a land-based hospital. She confirms she has no plan to go back to sea. She requests her Seamen's PF account be transferred to the hospital's PF fund, which allows for incoming transfers.

FAQ

1. Can I move my Seamen's PF money if I take a job on land?

Yes, if your new job falls under the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952, and you don't plan to return to the sea.

2. Is the transfer automatic when I change jobs?

No, it happens only if you desire it and if the rules of the new provident fund permit it.

3. What happens if I plan to come back to the sea in a few years?

The law allows transfer only when a seaman leaves the profession with "no present intention" of resuming it.

4. How long does the transfer take?

The Board specifies the time within which the amount shall be transferred.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 19 of The Seamen's Provident Fund Act, 1966, a transfer is possible only if the seaman obtains employment in an establishment covered by which Act?

Q2.What is a necessary condition for a seaman to transfer their account under Section 19 of The Seamen's Provident Fund Act, 1966?

Q3.Who must "desire" the transfer for it to happen under Section 19 of The Seamen's Provident Fund Act, 1966?

Q4.Under Section 19 of The Seamen's Provident Fund Act, 1966, what must the rules of the new provident fund allow?

Q5.Who specifies the time within which the money must be transferred under Section 19 of The Seamen's Provident Fund Act, 1966?

18PreviousSection 18 Power to recover damages.20NextSection 20 Power to exempt.

←Section 18 Section 20→