It is very important for every salaried employee in Malaysia to understand how the EPF works. The EPF helps Malaysians prepare for the future by providing money for their retirement. This guide takes a close look at how much workers are required to contribute to the EPF, the system it uses, involved rates, how it varies by wages and what it could mean for employee finances by 2025.
EPF, operated by KWSP, is required for saving purposes for employees in both the private and non-pensionable sectors in Malaysia. The EPF Act 1991 governs it and it is designed to support Malaysians as they accumulate retirement savings during their jobs.
Employees and their employers are required to make payments into your Social Security account every month, based on the salary of the employee. The money from these contributions goes to the employee’s EPF account which includes two sections: 70% for retirement and 30% for withdrawing early.
Starting in 2025, employees give 11% of their monthly salaries to the National Health Fund. Only Malaysian citizens and permanent residents who are not yet 60 are included in this percentage. Here is how it is used:
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After 60 years of age, employees are not required by law to contribute to EPF. The contribution rate will be lowered if you choose the program.
Contributing more than the required 11% combined by both the employer and employee is voluntary for employees. These savings are referred to as Voluntary Excess Contribution as part of the EPF Self-Contribution scheme. A person can contribute up to RM100,000 per year for voluntary contributions in the following ways:
If you want to increase your retirement savings, this is a good option for you.
You can use the following formula to get the employee’s EPF contribution:
Example:
This amount is taken from the employee’s pay and transferred into their EPF account with the employer’s share.
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Note: The employer’s contribution rate is 13% for employees earning RM5,000 or less, and 12% for employees earning more than RM5,000.
Certain categories of work do not require EPF contributions, only if this is explicitly arranged.
Alternatively, they can choose to pay in extra money to EPF, as this usually yields better results than keeping their funds in a Malaysian fixed deposit.
If workers under fixed-term, part-time or freelance contracts are paid and covered by contracts, they must contribute to CPF too. As with EPF for private sector employees, EPF for civil servants uses the rule of 11% from employees and 13% or 12% from employers.
If a person is employed by more than one company, all employers contribute what they should and the employee contributes 11% of the total earnings from all the jobs.
When employees work at more than one place, their EPF payouts will be managed through one EPF membership account. Employees need to contribute from their pay from each job, while the employer makes separate choices for each employee. Except for alternatives, there is no combined cap for retirement accounts.
Because EPF money is automatically pulled from your earnings, your salary after taxes is 11% less. For example:
Because part of your income goes to EPF, it also acts as a method of saving money for the future.
Annual dividends from the EPF are dependent on how the fund’s investments have performed. In the last few years, dividend rates have been as follows:
Since EPF contributions and their earnings are tax-free and added to over time, it is one of the safest and best places for Malaysians to save.
If a person is on unpaid leave, EPF does not require any contributions from them during that period. Also, EPF deduction occurs before the calculation of SOCSO and income tax, so the 11% is spent on gross salary.
Individuals can check their Employees’ Provident Fund contributions online each month.
Both the employer and employee add contributions, dividends are credited to the account and a person can withdraw funds when eligible.
Making EPF a part of your long-term plan for retirement gives you many benefits.
Do remember to review your EPF balance now and then and consider adding extra amounts if possible.
For business owners or new employers, understanding EPF requirements is key to staying compliant. Learn more about company compliance support at HL Khoo Group.
Employees typically contribute 11% of their monthly wages to the EPF, which is automatically deducted by their employer and paid to the EPF on their behalf.
Yes, employees can choose to voluntarily contribute more than the statutory 11% through additional voluntary contributions (AVC). This can be arranged via the i-Akaun portal or directly through their employer.
Yes, it is mandatory for Malaysian citizens and permanent residents employed in the private sector or non-pensionable public sector positions. Foreign workers and expatriates are generally exempt unless stated in their employment contract.
Employers contribute 13% for employees earning RM5,000 or less monthly and 12% for those earning more than RM5,000.
EPF contributions must be submitted by the 15th of the following month. For example, January salaries must be contributed by February 15.
Employees may request to reduce their statutory contribution rate during special periods announced by the government (such as economic relief periods), but this requires official notification via Form KWSP 17A (AHL).
It is a legal offense. The employer may face penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and late payment charges. Employees should report any discrepancies to EPF immediately.
Yes. Self-employed individuals, freelancers, and those not under mandatory contribution schemes can still contribute to EPF voluntarily under i-Saraan or Voluntary Contribution with Retirement Incentive (VCIP).
Yes, employee contributions are tax-deductible up to RM4,000 per year, combined with life insurance premiums, under individual income tax relief.
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