- Malaysia's EPF maintains a caring position
- When Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that contributions into EPF has been slashed to just 8% (optional) which will be effective for 2 years, I believe there were many who took up that option.
- The flow of money into EPF has shrinked and that means, investments by EPF has to now consider a new endowment point.
- Do I even need to iron out the substantial and clear fact that WE ARE IN AN ECONOMIC CRISIS?
- Yet, EPF is expected to declare a 4.5% dividend for 2008.
- A rate which can put EPF at a high position globally at this time when equity and trust funds are giving out insignificant returns on investments.
- For those who are in the banking sector, we all know that the bank fixed deposits are definitely not as much as EPF's returns.
- Also, we need not go far for comparisons.
- A rich country down South, Singapore, recently released a press statement on the 12th of March 2009.
CPF INTEREST RATE FOR SPECIAL, MEDISAVE AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (SMRA) FROM 1 APRIL 2009 TO 30 JUNE 2009.
Since 1 January 2008, interest rate for savings in the Special, Medisave and Retirement Accounts (SMRA) has been pegged to the 12-month average yield of the 10-year Singapore Government Security (10YSGS) plus 1%. The average yield of the 10YSGS over one year, from 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2009, plus 1% worked out to be 3.69%.
To help CPF members adjust to the floating SMRA rate, the Government will maintain the 4% floor rate for two years, from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009, if the 10YSGS yield plus 1% is below 4%. After 31 December 2009, the 2.5% floor rate will apply for all CPF accounts.
Hence, the SMRA interest rate from 1 April 2009 to 30 June 2009 will be 4% (floor rate).
- Malaysia's EPF remain positive, careful and caring with a 4.5% dividend.
- Some quarters are unhappy though. They want more from EPF in an economy crisis.
- Even Malaysiakini's headline spell out - EPF dividend for 2008 a mere 4.5%?
- Some might say that EPF's investments are based on 2008. But rationally, will any equity fund dish out a 7-8% dividend in anticipation or when engaged in an economic crisis?
- If that is the case, it makes me think what the appropriate dividend rate for EPF should be if we are riding on a bull run. Perhaps 12%?
- I can only wonder while Economists, financiers and politicians have differing views almost individually if not collectively.
- Having said this, I am shocked to read that Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera Malaysia is paying out a 7% dividend and a 9% special bonus for year 2008 which comes to a total of 16%.
- It is either they are doing really well, or they need a new funds manager who has more logic.
1 comment:
I think LTAT has done what any socially-oriented fund should do, i.e. put aside income for a rainy day. The bonus is probably coming out of their reserves.
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