1Malaysia EPF retirement scheme for self-employed

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will launch the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme on Jan 3 next year. The scheme was first announced by the Prime Minister during the tabling of the 2010 Budget in October. The retirement scheme aims to provide a care of the welfare of all strata of the self-employed who had no formal retirement saving scheme.

The scheme is open to self-employed individuals such as hawkers, night-market traders, real estate earl tate agents, freelancers like disc jockeys and fitness instructors, singers and actors and online business owners. It was designed to provide these individuals without a fixed monthly income with a degree of financial security in their old age. The 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme offers this select group of contributors tremendous flexibility in determining how much they could afford to save for their retirement,” he said.

Contributors can opt to set aside a minimum of RM50 or a maximum of RM5,000 per month as their retirement savings. Contribution is voluntary and contributors are also not required to contribute savings on a monthly basis but rather what and when they can afford to.

The contributors would receive annual dividends declared by the EPF, in addition to a 5% contribution from the Government subject to a maximum of RM60 per year over the next five years from 2010-2014. Those interested to apply for the scheme can fill the KWSP 16G (1M) Form which is available at any EPF branch nationwide or download from the myEPF website at www.kwsp.gov.my from Jan 3 onwards. The forms are to be returned at any EPF branch or by mail.

However, individuals who are not EPF members have to register with the EPF first by completing KWSP 3 Form and submitting it to the EPF before applying for the scheme. Existing EPF members, who turn self-employed, are also eligible and may opt for this new scheme. Savings for the scheme can be deposited via cash or cheque using the KWSP 6A(2) Form at any EPF Payment Counter nationwide and withdrawals are governed by the present EPF withdrawal procedures and conditions.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the nearest EPF branch or EPF Call Centre at (03) 8922-6000 or the EPF website. — Bernama

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