Akaun Fleksibel (Akaun 3): Account Restructuring
EPF Account Restructuring Initiative
Refer to our Press Release to find out more about this initiative:
Introducing Your New Account Structure
& Its Distribution Rate
Introducing Your New Account Structure
& Its Distribution Rate
- Akaun Persaraan, originally Account 1, aims to accumulate and increase the members’ saving level for the long term in order to achieve comfortable life after retirement.
- Akaun Sejahtera, originally Account 2, aims to meet the pre-retirement life cycle needs for the medium term which contributes to retirement wellbeing. Savings in Akaun Sejahtera can be withdrawn for pre-retirement purposes (subject to EPF terms and conditions) such as:
i. Housing
ii. Education
iii. Health
iv. Insurance/Takaful protection
v. Hajj
vi. Age 50 Years Old Akaun Fleksibel is designed to meet members’ short-term financial needs. Savings in Akaun Fleksibel can be withdrawn by members any time, subject to terms and conditions. However, members are encouraged to withdraw only for emergency purposes and immediate needs only.
Introducing Your New Account Structure &
Its Distribution Rate
- Akaun Persaraan, originally Account 1, aims to accumulate and increase the members’ saving level for the long term in order to achieve comfortable life after retirement.
- Akaun Sejahtera, originally Account 2, aims to meet the pre-retirement life cycle needs for the medium term which contributes to retirement wellbeing. Savings in Akaun Sejahtera can be withdrawn for pre-retirement purposes (subject to EPF terms and conditions) such as:
i. Housing
ii. Education
iii. Health
iv. Insurance/Takaful protection
v. Hajj
vi. Age 50 Years Old Akaun Fleksibel is designed to meet members’ short-term financial needs. Savings in Akaun Fleksibel can be withdrawn by members any time, subject to terms and conditions. However, members are encouraged to withdraw only for emergency purposes and immediate needs only.
New Account Structure Effective On 11 May 2024
- Savings balances in Account 1 and Account 2 will remain in Akaun Persaraan and Akaun Sejahtera respectively, while Akaun Fleksibel which is the new account, will start with RM0.
- Savings in the Akaun Fleksibel will increase when new contributions are credited or through the initial amount transfer option.
Option For Initial Amount Transfer
Starting 1 September 2024, the option for initial amount transfer will no longer be available.
What You Need To Know About Initial Amount Transfer
Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal
Requirements:
- Below 55 years old
- Have savings in Akaun Fleksibel
- Can be withdrawn any time with RM 50 minimum withdrawal limit
Withdrawal Application Channel:
Payment Method:
Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal payments will be direct credited into the member's bank account. To ensure ease of receiving Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal payments, please ensure the following conditions are met:
- Bank account (savings or current account) status is active; and
- Bank account is registered under the member's own name (not a joint/ company account).
Members who do not have a bank account are advised to open a bank account before applying for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is EPF account restructuring?
The EPF account restructuring aims to enhance members’ income security after retirement while addressing their life cycle needs.
The account will be restructured from two (2) accounts to three (3) accounts as below:
i. The existing Account 1 is renamed to "Akaun Persaraan" and Account 2 to "Akaun Sejahtera" with no change in the purpose of both accounts.
ii. Introducing the third account which is "Akaun Fleksibel";
iii. Savings in Akaun Fleksibel can be accessed or withdrawn by members, subject to terms and conditions.
iv. After the effective date, new EPF contributions will be credited according to the ratio of 75:15:10, where 75% will go into Akaun Persaraan, 15% into Akaun Sejahtera, and 10% into Akaun Fleksibel.
2. Why did the EPF implement the account restructuring?
The account restructuring seeks to:
- Increase savings adequacy to increase retirement income security for members;
- Align short, medium and long term requirements with members’ life cycle and lifespan;
- Develop EPF Schemes that factor in the evolving employment landscape, demographic shifts, and members’ present and future needs; and
- Address short-term financial needs that may affect members’ wellbeing during retirement.
3. What is Akaun Persaraan?
Akaun Persaraan, originally Account 1, is renamed to suit the purpose or objective of the account. This account aims to accumulate and increase the members’ saving level for the long term in order to achieve comfortable life after retirement.
Savings in Akaun Persaraan cannot be withdrawn before the member reaches 55 years old. However, eligible members can invest a portion of their Akaun Persaraan savings in investments managed by the approved Fund Management Institutions (FMIs), subject to the terms and conditions.
4. What is Akaun Sejahtera?
Akaun Sejahtera, originally Account 2, is renamed to suit the purpose or objective of the account. This account aims to meet the pre-retirement life cycle needs for the medium term which contributes to retirement wellbeing.
Savings in Akaun Sejahtera can be withdrawn for pre-retirement purposes (subject to EPF terms and conditions) such as:
i. Housing
ii. Education
iii. Health
iv. Insurance/Takaful protection
v. Hajj
vi. Age 50 Years Old
5. What is Akaun Fleksibel?
This account is designed to meet members’ short-term financial needs.
Savings in Akaun Fleksibel can be withdrawn by members any time, subject to terms and conditions. However, members are encouraged to withdraw only for emergency purposes and immediate needs only.
6. When will the EPF account restructuring be implemented?
The account restructuring will be implemented on 11 May 2024.
7. Is the EPF account restructuring applicable for all EPF members?
The restructuring of EPF accounts is applicable for all EPF members, including non-Malaysians who have yet to attain the age of 55 on 11 May 2024.
8. What will happen after members attain the age of 55, after the implementation of the EPF account restructuring?
When the members attain the age of 55, the members’ savings balance in all three accounts will be transferred to Akaun 55. New contributions received after age 55 will be credited into Akaun Emas for retirement purposes at the age of 60.
9. What will happen to the existing savings in Account 1 and Account 2 when the account restructuring is implemented?
Savings balances in Account 1 and Account 2 will remain in Akaun Persaraan and Akaun Sejahtera respectively, while Akaun Fleksibel will start with a zero balance.
10. How will the new contributions be credited after the implementation date of the account restructuring?
After the implementation date, new contributions will be distributed as follows:
The distribution of contributions are as illustrated below:
11. Can a member transfer their savings from Akaun Fleksibel to Akaun Sejahtera or Akaun Persaraan?
Members can transfer their savings as follows:
i. Akaun Fleksibel to Akaun Sejahtera
i. Akaun Fleksibel to Akaun Persaraan
iii. Akaun Sejahtera to Akaun Persaraan
Savings can only be transferred in one direction and cannot be reversed back into the original account. There is no limit on the amount that can be transferred between accounts.
Refer to the illustration below:
12. Can members apply to transfer their savings?
At this moment, members may submit a savings transfer application at any EPF Offices by completing the ‘Savings Transfer To Akaun Persaraan/ Akaun Sejahtera Form (KWSP 12)'.
13. Will members’ pre-retirement withdrawal eligibility be affected by the account restructuring?
No, members are still eligible to make existing withdrawals subject to current terms and conditions.
14. What types of withdrawals are allowed after the implementation of EPF account restructuring?
All existing types of withdrawal are still applicable, subject to the terms and conditions. Among the withdrawals allowed are:
Before Age 55 Years
• Akaun Persaraan: Members Investment Scheme
• Akaun Sejahtera: Housing Withdrawal, Education Withdrawal, Health Withdrawal, Hajj Withdrawal, Age 50 years Withdrawal and Member Protection Plan Withdrawals
• Akaun Fleksibel: Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal (new)
• All Accounts: Disability Withdrawal, Death Withdrawal, Leaving the Country Withdrawal and Pensionable Employee Withdrawal
• Withdrawal Exceeding RM1 Million
After Age 55 Years
• Akaun 55: Age 55 years Withdrawal
• Akaun Emas: Age 60 years Withdrawal
• All Accounts: Disability Withdrawal, Death Withdrawal and Leaving the Country Withdrawal
15. When can members apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal?
Members can apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal as soon as Akaun Fleksibel has a minimum balance of RM50 either after the transfer of the initial amount from Akaun Sejahtera has been made or after the crediting of new contributions.
16. What are the conditions for Akaun Fleksibel withdrawal?
The conditions for Akaun Fleksibel withdrawal are as follows:
a. Below 55 years old;
b. Have savings in Akaun Fleksibel; and
c. Minimum withdrawal limit is RM50.
17. Can members cancel the application for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal?
Applications for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal cannot be cancelled once the application has been approved. Members are advised to make an informed decision before applying.
18. How to apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal?
Members can apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal through the following channels:
i. KWSP i-Akaun;
ii. i-Akaun (Member) Web Portal; or
ii. EPF Offices.
19. Do members need to submit any supporting documents when applying?
Members do not need to submit any supporting documents. However, an active bank account number need to be submitted to ensure a smooth payment processing.
20. Do members need to visit EPF Office for thumbprint verification if Akaun Fleksibel withdrawal applications is submitted online?
Generally, members do not need to be physically present for identity verification at EPF Offices as it can be done online; however, it is subject to the member's previous withdrawal history and the withdrawal amount does not exceed RM30,000.
For members who do not have a previous withdrawal history, or their bank account information differs from previous withdrawal records, members need to perform thumbprint verification via Self-Service Terminal (SST) at any EPF office for withdrawal applications exceeding RM10,000.
21. What is the payment method for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal?
Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal payments will be direct credited into the member's bank account. To ensure ease of receiving Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal payments, please ensure the following conditions are met:
- Bank account (savings or current account) status is active; and
- Bank account is registered under the member's own name (not a joint/ company account).
Members who do not have a bank account are advised to open a bank account before applying for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal.
22. Can members who have applied for Age 50/55 Conditional Withdrawals under Facility Support Account 2 (FSA2) apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal?
Yes, members may apply for Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal, subject to the terms and conditions stated in No. 22.
23. When will the Akaun Fleksibel Withdrawal payment be credited into members’ bank account?
Payment will be made within seven (7) working days upon application approval.
24. Is there a difference in the dividend rate between the three accounts?
At this time, the restructuring of EPF account will not change the current policy on establishing dividend rates. The same dividend rate will apply to all three accounts.
25. Does the restructuring of the EPF account have an impact on the member's Simpanan Shariah account status?
The restructuring of the EPF account will not change the account status of members who have switched to Simpanan Shariah.
26. Are Muslim members required to pay zakat on Akaun Fleksibel?
Yes, Akaun Fleksibel meets the zakat requirement of perfect ownership, as no restrictions are imposed on members to make withdrawals.
Members are required to pay zakat on acquired wealth (al-mal al-mustafad) at a rate of 2.5% if:
- The Initial Amount Transfer from Akaun Sejahtera to Akaun Fleksibel opted by members reaches the Nisab without having to wait for a full year (“Haul”); and/or
- New contributions credited to the Akaun Fleksibel within a full year Haul reaches the Nisab (after taking into account all other income during the same period of Haul).
If the Initial Amount Transfer (if any) or new contributions credited to the Akaun Fleksibel within the same period of Haul do not exceed the Nisab, both must be combined to determine whether the amount has reached the Nisab for zakat (after taking into account all other income during the same period of Haul), based on zakat on acquired wealth (al-mal al-mustafad).
However, Akaun Fleksibel (The Initial Amount Transfer and/or new contributions) used by members to cover basic needs of themselves and their dependents such as food, clothing, shelter, education and health, due to insufficient financial resources or impaired income sources, may be exempted from zakat.
Every year, the balance in Akaun Fleksibel by the end of a Haul is subject to zakat on savings at a rate of 2.5% if it reaches the Nisab after considering the member’s other savings that are also subject to zakat (if any), based on zakat of savings.
The EPF Board does not pay zakat on behalf of its members. The responsibility and action of paying zakat on the Flexible Account rests with the Muslim members themselves as the holders of the account. Muslim members can make zakat payments using funds withdrawn or other funds owned by the members to the zakat authority in their respective states.
Muslim members are advised to consult their respective state zakat authorities on matters relating to zakat.