MALAYSIA:::EPF sets RM196,800 as minimum savings at age 55 starting January 2014 / Kadar simpanan asas baharu KWSP Januari ini

ARITIKEL DALAM BAHASA DIBAWAH ARTIKEL INI.


The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has reminded its members on the new quantum Basic Savings set at RM196,800 as the minimum amount that must be in their EPF account by the time they reach the age of 55, effective next month.
EPF general manager for public relations, Nik Affendi Jaafar said the new rate was benchmarked against the minimum pension for public sector employees, currently at RM820 per month for a period of 20 years from the age of 55 to 75 years.
He said the rate would be reviewed every three years based on retirement needs, inflation rate and the cost of living.

 

"By taking into account the rising cost of living, life expectancy of Malaysians which is long and the rate of inflation, we have decided to increase the Basic Savings to ensure 13 million members have sufficient savings to enjoy a sustainable retirement," he said in a statement today.

He said the current Basic Savings of RM120,000 at the age of 55 (RM500 per month for a period of 20 years) might not be enough to cover the retirement of EPF members as it was below the poverty line income.
He said EPF statistics showed that 71% of EPF members retired at the age of 55 with savings of less than RM50,000 in their EPF account.
Nik Affendi said the revised rate required members to have higher savings in their EPF account to be eligible to participate in the EPF Members Investment Scheme where savings could be invested in unit trusts.
"This is to ensure that members have sufficient savings in their EPF account when they retire in order to support their basic retirement needs before they can choose to invest in other schemes," he said.
Among the initiatives introduced by EPF to boost members' retirement savings is an employer contribution rate of 13% for workers earning RM5,000 and below.
"Besides that, full EPF contribution rate for employees up to age 60 and flexible withdrawal at age 55 allows members to extend their savings for a longer period," he said.
To help members plan for their retirement, Nik Affendi said EPF would introduce financial advisory services for members next year with a pilot project in the Klang Valley before being extended nationwide in the next three years. – Bernama, December 26, 2013.
source:::http://www.themalaysianinsider.com
 
 Kadar simpanan asas baharu KWSP Januari ini
KUALA LUMPUR - Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) mengingatkan ahlinya berhubung kuantum baharu Simpanan Asas, yang menetapkan RM196,800 sebagai amaun minimum ahli yang perlu ada dalam akaun KWSP mereka menjelang umur 55 tahun, berkuat kuasa bulan depan.
Pengurus Besar Perhubungan Awam KWSP, Nik Affendi Jaafar berkata, kadar baharu itu ditanda aras dengan pencen minimum pekerja sektor awam, yang bersamaan RM820 sebulan untuk tempoh 20 tahun dari umur 55 hingga 75 tahun.
Beliau berkata, ia akan disemak setiap tiga tahun berdasarkan kepada keperluan persaraan, kadar inflasi dan kos hidup.
"Dengan mengambil kira faktor kos hidup yang semakin meningkat, jangka hayat rakyat Malaysia yang panjang serta kadar inflasi, KWSP telah membuat keputusan meningkatkan Simpanan Asas untuk memastikan 13 juta ahlinya mempunyai tahap simpanan yang mencukupi bagi menikmati persaraan yang mampan," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Nik Affendi berkata Simpanan Asas semasa ialah RM120,000 pada umur 55 (RM500 sebulan bagi tempoh 20 tahun) mungkin tidak mencukupi bagi menampung persaraan ahli kerana berada di bawah garis kemiskinan.
Selain itu, katanya, statistik KWSP menunjukkan 71 peratus ahli bersara pada umur 55 tahun mempunyai simpanan kurang daripada RM50,000 dalam akaun KWSP mereka.
Nik Affendi berkata, kadar yang disemak semula ini memerlukan ahli mempunyai simpanan yang lebih tinggi dalam akaun KWSP bagi membolehkan mereka layak menyertai Skim Pelaburan Ahli KWSP di mana simpanan mereka boleh dilaburkan dalam unit amanah.
"Ini untuk memastikan ahli mempunyai simpanan yang mencukupi dalam akaun KWSP apabila mereka bersara bagi membiayai keperluan asas persaraan sebelum boleh memilih untuk melabur dalam pelaburan lain," katanya.
Beliau berkata, antara inisiatif yang diperkenal KWSP untuk mempertingkat simpanan persaraan ahli ialah kadar caruman majikan sebanyak 13 peratus untuk pekerja yang bergaji RM5,000 dan ke bawah.
"Selain itu, kadar caruman penuh KWSP untuk pekerja sehingga umur 60 tahun dan Pengeluaran Fleksibel Umur 55 tahun yang membenarkan ahli untuk memanjangkan simpanan KWSP mereka bagi tempoh yang lama," katanya.
Bagi membantu ahli merancang persaraan mereka, Nik Affendi berkata KWSP akan memperkenal perkhidmatan penasihat kewangan kepada ahli mulai tahun depan dengan projek perintis di Lembah Klang sebelum diperluas ke seluruh negara dalam tempoh tiga tahun. - Bernama
sumber:::http://www.sinarharian.com.my