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Your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is mainly a retirement fund. However, you can access different portions for different purposes if the need arises.
Since its restructuring in 2024, EPF is now divided into three separate accounts:
- Akaun Persaraan (previously Account 1): 75%
- Akaun Sejahtera (previously Account 2): 15% of savings
- Akaun Fleksibel (previously Account 3): 10% of savings
While Akaun Persaraan is "untouchable", Malaysians can actually withdraw from Akaun Sejahtera and Akaun Fleksibel for certain use cases.
Important: Having savings in your Akaun Sejahtera does not automatically mean you can withdraw them. EPF only allows withdrawals for specific purposes, such as buying a home, reducing a housing loan, or paying for approved education programmes, and members must meet the relevant eligibility requirements and provide supporting documents.
1. Housing
You may be eligible to use your savings to:
- Buy a residential property
- Build a house on land you own
- Reduce your housing loan balance
- Fully redeem an existing housing loan
The exact amount you can withdraw depends on various factors such as your account balance, property value, construction costs, or outstanding loan balance.
Here's how you can do it:
STEP 1
Prepare supporting documents, which may include:
- Form KWSP 9C (AHL)
- Passbook or bank account statement for verification (you can get these from your respective banks)
- Form KWSP 3 (Pindaan) for mail submissions or failed thumbprint verification
- Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) or Proclamation of Sale that is not more than three years old (you should get this when purchasing a property)
STEP 2
Submit your application through EPF's official website or at an EPF branch.
STEP 3
Wait for verification and approval.
Depending on the withdrawal type, funds are usually paid directly to the relevant party such as the financial institution or property transaction account rather than being deposited into your personal bank account.
2. Education
EPF allows you to use your savings to fund approved studies for:
- Yourself
- Your spouse
- Your children
- Your parents
Eligible programmes generally include certificate, diploma, degree, professional, vocational, and skills-based courses at approved institutions in Malaysia and overseas.
Here's how you can apply:
STEP 1
Confirm that your institution or programme qualifies under EPF's guidelines.
STEP 2
Gather the needed documents. These may include:
- MyKad or original identification document
- Payment receipt of tuition fees from the higher learning institution
- Student enrolment confirmation letter
- Course recognition or accreditation letter
- Proof of relationship if the applicant is not the student
- Flight ticket reimbursement documents, where applicable (limited to a one-way ticket for first-year student registration)
- Form KWSP 3 (Pindaan) for mail submissions or failed thumbprint verification
- Form KWSP 9H (AHL) and a copy of your identification document if the application is submitted by post or through a representative
Students studying overseas may need to provide additional supporting documents.
STEP 3
Submit your application through the official website or at an EPF branch.
STEP 4
Wait for EPF's verification and approval.
If you choose to continue your studies beyond one academic year, you can generally submit additional applications provided you still have sufficient savings available.
3. Healthcare
Your EPF funds can also be used to fund your healthcare and treatment costs.
Here's how:
STEP 1
Confirm that the illness qualifies under EPF's approved categories.
STEP 2
Prepare the required documents:
- MyKad or original identification document
- Bank passbook, savings account statement, current account statement, bank verification letter, or account holder details
- Outpatient bill or final bill together with the original receipt from the medical institution (if payment has already been made)
- Medical Report – Critical Illness LPP-1
- Confirmation letter from the member's and/or approved family member's employer stating medical cost coverage, where applicable
- Proof of relationship between the applicant and patient if the applicant is not the patient
- Form KWSP 3 (Pindaan) for mail submissions or failed thumbprint verification
- Form KWSP 9D (AHL) and a copy of your identification document if the application is submitted by post or through a representative
STEP 3
Submit your application through i-Akaun or at an EPF branch and wait for them to review and process it.
4. i-Sayang
i-Sayang allows a husband to voluntarily transfer 2% of his employee EPF contribution into his wife's EPF account every month.
The programme was introduced to help improve long-term retirement security, particularly for spouses who may have lower EPF balances due to caregiving responsibilities or time spent outside the workforce.
Just fill in the Borang Permohonan Pendaftaran i-Sayang (KWSP 16G – SY) and submit the form according to EPF's instructions.
If you later wish to stop the contribution transfer, you'll need the Borang Permohonan Penghentian Pemindahan Caruman i-Sayang (KWSP 16G – SY-P).
Once your application is approved, future eligible contributions will automatically be transferred under the programme.
5. Akaun Fleksibel
Unlike housing, education, or health withdrawals, you don't need to provide supporting reasons for why you're withdrawing the funds.
Here's how you can withdraw funds from your flexible account:
STEP 1
Log in to the KWSP i-Akaun app or the i-Akaun (Member) portal. You can also submit a manual application at any EPF office.
STEP 2
Go under the "Withdrawal" section and select "Fleksibel".
STEP 3
Verify your banking details and submit your application.
It's important to note that online withdrawal applications by non-Malaysian citizen employees are limited to a maximum of RM3,000 per withdrawal transaction.
And, the minimum withdrawal limit is RM50.
To keep yourself updated with the latest EPF withdrawal guidelines, visit their official website
For more #lifestyle stories:
- Here's A Guide On How To Manage Your Savings With The KWSP i-Akaun App
- How To Check If Your Company Is Contributing To Your EPF Properly
- What's The Difference Between EPF, SOCSO And EIS & How Much Is Taken From Your Salary?
- What Happens To Your EPF Savings If You Die Before Retirement? Here's What Your Family Needs To Know
