How to Get i-Saraan Incentive from EPF (KWSP)?
You can register for an EPF (
KWSP) account
from age 14 up to before turning 75, with mandatory contributions generally starting when you begin working, but voluntary options (like
i-Saraan for self-employed or
i-Suri for housewives) allow earlier participation, encouraging savings from a young age for better retirement outcomes.
Students can use
i-Saraan scheme to save for retirement,
even if they are not formally employed, by contributing voluntarily and receiving a 20% government incentive (up to RM500 annually) on their savings, making it a great way for young Malaysians to start building their future funds early, just like housewives or gig workers.
To
open an EPF account online in Malaysia, download the
KWSP i-Akaun App, use the e-KYC process (electronic Know Your Customer) with your MyKad/MyPR, complete identity verification via face recognition, and provide your details to activate your membership instantly, requiring a front camera phone and good lighting.
i-Saraan is a voluntary contribution initiative by EPF, designed to help self-employed individuals and gig economy workers without fixed incomes obtain Government incentives to grow their retirement savings.
Receive a special incentive of 20% (up to a maximum of RM500) for the total voluntary contributions made to your EPF account for the current year. *
* Note: Lifetime incentive limit of RM5,000 or when the member turns 60, whichever is earlier. Subject to Government terms and conditions.
To get the i-Saraan incentive, you must first be an eligible EPF member, register for the program, and then make voluntary contributions to your EPF account. The government will then provide a matching incentive, credited to your account twice a year.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the i-Saraan program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Malaysian citizen
- An existing EPF member
- Below 60 years of age
- Individuals who are self-employed, freelancers, or have no fixed employer (including students, housewives, gig workers like e-hailing/p-hailing drivers). Civil servants under a pension scheme are also eligible.
Step 1: Register for i-Saraan
You only need to register once for the program.
Step 2: Make Voluntary Contributions
After registering, you can make contributions at your own pace and financial ability. The total maximum voluntary contribution across all channels is RM100,000 per year. To receive the maximum annual incentive of RM500, you need to contribute at least RM2,500 per year.
Payment methods include:
- Internet Banking: Make payments through participating banks such as Maybank, Public Bank, CIMB, and others.
- KWSP i-Akaun App/Web Portal: Use the online payment service (FPX) or set up a recurring contribution (Auto Simpan) via DuitNow AutoDebit.
- Bank Agent Counters/EPF Offices: Pay via cash, cheque, or debit card at registered bank agents (e.g., BSN) or any EPF office counter.
Before you proceed any payment for your contribution, make sure you are contributing into i-Saraan and not into i-Simpan.
- Check at KWSP i-Akaun App, go to:
Profile > Account Details > Product
- Choose "Self" and enter the amount you want to contribute
- Confirm details and proceed payment
- Accept the terms & conditions to complete the payment
Step 3: Receive the Incentive
The government incentive is 20% of your total annual i-Saraan contribution, up to a maximum of RM500 per year. There is a total lifetime limit of RM5,000 or until you reach age 60, whichever is earlier.
The incentive payments are generally credited to your Akaun Persaraan (Account 1) twice a year, subject to the government's terms and conditions and fund availability.
- Deposit between Jan to Jun: i-Saraan incentive will be credited by Aug (same year) **
- Deposit between Jul to Dec: i-Saraan incentive will be credited by Mar/Apr (next year) **
** Note: i-Saraan incentive might be credited late depends on EPF's fund allocation from government, e.g.: Incentive for Aug 2025 was only distributed on 29/12/2025 recently.
- Example of Contribution in Year 2025
- Example of Incentive Credited into Your Account
- Incentive dated 04/03/2025: i-Saraan incentive for previous year (2024).
- Incentive dated 29/12/2025: i-Saraan incentive for contributions on 12/03/2025 & 19/06/2025.
- Incentive for contributions on 27/07/2025, 20/08/2025, 23/10/2025 will be credited by next year Mar/Apr.
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