What’s new with EPF in 2026
With the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) announcing its dividend on 28 February 2026, attention has naturally turned to the returns members can expect. However, beyond the dividend, several key changes had already come into effect from January 2026—signalling a broader shift in how EPF is evolving to meet the needs of today’s changing workforce.
These changes were introduced to ensure EPF remains relevant and aligned with market movements, including inflation and evolving retirement age trends. At the same time, they aim to provide greater flexibility in withdrawals while ensuring savings adequacy across different life stages.
Some of these enhancements are a positive step forward, as they expand the reach of the EPF beyond traditional salaried employees mainly the self-employed individuals such as gig workers, freelancers, and mainly in industries from real estates, insurance industry and many more.
With these growing numbers, the government recognises the need for more inclusive retirement solutions and widening EPF coverages.
3 of the main programmes introduced are the i-Saraan, i-Suri and i-Sayang.
For i-Saraan, it is as an enhanced retirement savings for the gig workers and this includes workers in the industries who are self-employed individuals (real estate agents, freelancers, gig workers), small business owners or anyone without a monthly EPF contribution. The government will be providing a matching grant of RM600/year and it is capped at RM6000 per lifetime.
The i-Suri programme the government maintains a matching grant capped at RM300/year and its RM3000 over a lifetime, this is in line to support women especially housewives to let them further strengthen financial security and continue to grow their savings.
i-Sayang works as a means for the husbands who are sometimes the breadwinner and their wife holding the fort as homemakers whereby they are valued too as contributors, hence the husband is allowed to contribute on behalf to their wives though i-Sayang. , thus building the financial security for the wives.
Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) adjustment in numbers has been done by EPF to reflect the current economy and as a guide for retirement savings plan gauge. Basic Savings (Simpanan Asas) at RM390,000 , Adequate Savings (Simpanan Mencukupi) at RM650,000 and Enhanced Savings (Simpanan Dipertingkat) RM1.3million which provides better financial security.
Withdrawal is still a sensitive issue, the EPF has since tightened withdrawal EPF starting 2026 and there is a minimum required savings of more than RM1.1 million, before the age of 55 years before any withdrawal can be made.
Ultimately, these enhancements reflect a timely response to a growing shift in the workforce—where more individuals are moving into self-employed roles. This is no longer a niche segment, but an increasingly significant part of the economy, spanning industries such as the real estate industry and beyond.
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