The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) today announced a four percent dividend for two savings products under its National Education Savings scheme, SSPN-i and SSPN-i Plus, for 2018.

PTPTN chairperson Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the dividend would involve an allocation of RM114.55 million, and will benefit 3.91 million depositors.

“The four percent rate is based on the net returns on investment on deposits received, and PTPTN is still able to maintain competitive dividend rates despite challenging economic situation.

“By giving competitive dividends, SSPN is expected to be more competitive and become the people’s preferred savings instrument,” he said while announcing the 2018 SSPN dividends here today.

Wan Saiful said that apart from this, depositors were also given incentives in the form of tax relief of up to RM6,000, takaful coverage of up to RM1 million that is guaranteed by the government, as well as being syariah-compliant.

“With tax relief and takaful coverage, depositors actually gain more than the four percent dividend. 

"During the tabling of the 2019 Budget, the tax relief incentive for SSPN has been increased from RM6,000 to RM8,000 for year assessment of 2019,” he said.

Wan Saiful also said that last year, PTPTN had achieved RM1.13 billion in deposits, which was the highest number of savings recorded since the establishment of SSPN, with a total of 678,839 of new accounts opened by depositors.

- Bernama