KUALA LUMPUR, 14 December 2017: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) today announces four enhancements to its schemes and policies which will take effect on 1 January 2018 as part of the EPF’s continuing effort to improve and meet members’ increasing expectations.

 

Announcing the enhancements at a media briefing today, EPF Chief Executive Officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said, “The EPF anticipates a majority of our members will be facing increasing challenges in preparing for their retirement with the dramatic demographic shift facing both Malaysia and the world, as well as the advent of the next industrial revolution. Therefore, these enhancements are to keep pace with changes in members’ needs and expectations.”

 

The key initiatives that will take effect on 1 January 2018 include:

 

1.     Option to appoint Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) as nominee/administrator trustee

Members will have the option to appoint Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) as the nominee/administrator or trustee to their EPF savings. This would facilitate faster and equitable distribution of their savings to next-of-kin, upon members’ demise.  This would be especially beneficial for members with children below 18 years old. This new option is in addition to members’ existing right to appoint any individual persons as nominees.

 

2.     Enhancement to Age 55 and Age 60 withdrawal payment options

The Age 55 and Age 60 withdrawal policies have been enhanced and simplified to enable members make partial withdrawals of any amount at any time, as opposed to the current policy that only allows withdrawals of a minimum of RM2,000 once every 30 days. In addition, members who choose to make monthly withdrawals will be able to withdraw from as low as RM100 per month, as opposed to RM250 in the current policy.

 

To help members plan their long-term retirement needs and decide on the optimum withdrawal amount and frequency, the EPF urges members to take advantage of its Retirement Advisory Services provided for free at its 18 branches nationwide.

 

3.     Flexible withdrawal policy until age 100

The flexible withdrawal policy, which allows members to withdraw any amount at any time for partial withdrawals, has been extended up to age 100 from the current age cap of 75 years old.  Members may also opt to make a combination of monthly and partial withdrawals. This enhancement is in line with the extension of dividend payment from age 75 to 100.

 

4.     Extension of Death Benefit from age 55 to 60

The current death benefit of RM2,500 claimable if the member dies before age 55, will be extended until age 60. This enhancement is in line with the national retirement age at 60 years old.

 

For more information on the enhancements to EPF policies and schemes starting 1 January 2018, please visit the EPF website at new.epf.gov.my or call the EPF Contact Management Centre at 03-8922 6000.