i-Saraan is a voluntary contribution facility introduced by EPF. It allows self-employed members, individuals with no fixed income, and gig economy sector workers to contribute towards their retirement savings while receiving a government special incentive, subject to the terms and conditions set by EPF.

The government has increased the special incentive rate for i-Saraan from 15% to 20% to encourage more Malaysians, especially those in the informal sector or without a fixed income, to save for retirement.

However, the maximum annual special incentive remains RM500 per year and RM5,000 for a lifetime, or until the member reaches the age of 60, whichever comes first.

To apply for i-Saraan, the member must meet the following requirements:

• Registered as an EPF member
• Malaysian citizen
• Below 60 years of age
• Self-employed individuals with no fixed income, civil service members under a pension scheme, or workers in the gig economy sector

Yes. EPF members who are Malaysian citizens and have not reached the age of 60 can register for i-Saraan.

No. i-Saraan is only open to EPF members who have not reached the age of 60.

Yes. Civil service employees who are under the pension scheme and below the age of 60 are eligible to register for i-Saraan.

Yes. Military members who are still serving can apply for i-Saraan if they are registered as EPF members.

The i-Saraan special incentive rate is 20% of the total voluntary contributions made in the current year, up to a maximum of RM500 per year.

The special incentive is subject to a lifetime maximum of RM5,000 or until the member reaches the age of 60, whichever comes first.

Subject to terms and conditions.

The RM5,000 lifetime special incentive limit takes effect from 2024, based on contributions made from 2024 onwards.

The lifetime maximum limit is calculated based on the cumulative total of annual Special Incentives and is limited to RM5,000 or upon reaching the age of 60, whichever comes first.

Example:
Abu contributes i-Saraan and receives the Special Incentive for the years 2024 and 2025.

The total accumulated Special Incentive he received is RM1,000.

The i-Saraan Special Incentive that he is still eligible to receive is RM4,000 (RM5,000-RM1,000).

Members can make i-Saraan contribution payments through the following channels:

1. KWSP i-Akaun app
2. Internet banking
3. Bank agent counters – BSN, Maybank, Public Bank & RHB Bank
4. Registered bank agent – (EB) BSN
5. Payment by cheque or bank draft at EPF office receipting counters, or
6. Debit Card payments through the EPF Mobile Team/ Relationship & Advisory (RA) services.
7. Self-Service Terminal (SST) – Payment using debit card through a payment terminal at the selected EPF office

To qualify for the maximum annual special incentive of RM500, members need to contribute at least RM2,500 per year under i-Saraan.

Note: Members are eligible to receive the special incentive based on matching contribution of 20% (up to a maximum of RM500) for the total voluntary contributions made for the current year.

Members who contribute under i-Saraan can obtain the following benefits:

• Increase retirement savings with government special incentives
• Earn annual dividends on EPF savings
• Death benefit (subject to EPF terms and conditions)
• Tax relief eligibility (subject to IRB terms and conditions)

The i-Saraan special incentive will be credited to the member’s EPF account twice a year, subject to the receipt of special incentive payments from the Government.

No. All i-Saraan contributions paid to EPF are final. Members should ensure that the payment details are correct before completing the transaction.

All i-Saraan contributions received after the member reaches 55 years old will be credited into Akaun Emas and can only be withdrawn once the member reaches the age of 60.

i-Saraan contributions will be credited into the following EPF accounts according to the distribution ratio below:

For members who have reached 55 years old, 100% of the contributions will be credited to Akaun Emas.

The i-Saraan special incentive will be credited to Akaun Persaraan (Account 1) for members who are below 55 years old.

For members who have reached 55 years old, the special incentive will be credited to Akaun Emas.

The payment methods for i-Saraan contributions are as follows:

1. One-time payment via:

• KWSP i-Akaun app
• Internet banking
• Registered bank agents
• Bank agent counters
• Payment by cheque or bank draft at EPF office receipting counters
• Debit card payment through the EPF Mobile Team / Relationship Advisory (RA) services
• Self-Service Terminal (SST) at the selected EPF office

2. Recurring contribution (Auto Simpan) via:

• KWSP i-Akaun app
• i-Akaun (Member) web portal.

Members can register Auto Simpan through the KWSP i-Akaun app or the i-Akaun (Member) web portal to enable automatic monthly contributions via DuitNow AutoDebit.

1. Log in to the KWSP i-Akaun app or i-Akaun (Member) web portal; 
2. On the Home page, click the Savings tab; 
3. Click on "Increase Your Savings"; 
4. Select “Activate Auto Simpan”; 
5. The Auto Simpan introduction screen will be displayed. Click “Continue”; 
6. Set your contribution amount and monthly deduction date; 
7. Select your bank; 
8. Confirm your contribution details, tick to agree with the Terms & Conditions, and click “Continue”; 
9. Log in to your bank account to authorise the Auto Simpan registration; 
10. A confirmation message will be displayed. Click “Done” to complete the Auto Simpan registration process. 

A visual guide is available here.