EPF declares 6.15pct dividend for conventional, syariah savings

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has declared a 6.15 percent dividend rate for both conventional and syariah savings for 2025, slightly lower than the 6.30 percent announced for both accounts the previous year.

While the percentage drop indicates a moderation in returns, the total payout for 2025 has increased to RM79.6 billion from RM73.24 billion.

Of the total payout to its members for 2025, RM67.1 billion is for conventional savings and RM12.5 billion for syariah savings.

The dividends for both savings accounts will be credited by tomorrow. Members may check their accounts via i-Akaun or EPF’s self-service terminals nationwide.

Addressing a media briefing on the dividend announcement today, EPF chairperson Zuki Ali attributed the lower dividend for 2025 to weaker domestic market performance and currency movements.

The New Straits Times quoted him as explaining that one of the factors was the performance of Bursa Malaysia, which grew by about two percent compared with 12 percent the year before.

Another reason, he said, was that some of EPF’s international assets, particularly those denominated in United States dollars, declined in ringgit terms due to the strengthening of the local currency.

He added that the overall payout was higher due to larger contributions.

‘Commendable performance’

In a separate statement today, Zuki said the fund recorded a total distributable income of RM82.7 billion for 2025, a 9.5 percent increase from RM75.5 billion in 2024.

Its investment assets grew 12.8 percent to RM1.409 trillion from RM1.25 trillion, driven by portfolio income and net contributions of RM66.5 billion, with Zuki noting that the fund delivered a “commendable performance”.

This, he said, was despite market volatility and unpredictable trade policies during the year.

“Resilient equity markets were the main driver of EPF’s income, supported by stable returns from fixed income and the well-diversified nature of the portfolio.

“These results reflect our long-term approach to safeguarding members’ savings while delivering sustainable returns,” he added.

Looking ahead, Zuki (above) said EPF remains cautious amid global uncertainties, but will continue to anchor its investment approach on discipline, diversification, and strong governance.

Equities lead investment income

Equities remained the primary contributor in 2025, generating RM50.7 billion or 64 percent of total investment income, with return on investment (ROI) for equities standing at 7.9 percent, while private equity investments recorded an ROI of 10.5 percent.

Fixed income instruments contributed RM26.3 billion, accounting for 33 percent of total investment income, with an ROI of 4.3 percent.

Real estate and infrastructure generated RM1.6 billion in income, while money market instruments contributed RM0.6 billion.

Total investment income recorded for the year was RM79.2 billion, including unrealised mark-to-market gains and losses arising mainly from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Of the total assets as at December 2025, 61.7 percent were invested domestically, generating RM39.3 billion or 49.6 percent of total investment income.

Global investments made up 38.3 percent of the portfolio and generated RM39.9 billion, or 50.4 percent of total investment income.

EPF membership also rose to 18.1 million in 2025, with active members increasing to 10.6 million, improving the active-to-inactive ratio to 59:41.

The fund recorded 2.8 million new members and 89,649 new employers, bringing total active employers to 640,391.

Voluntary contributions climbed to RM19.2 billion, while total contributions received grew 12.3 percent to RM121.5 billion.

Housing chaos: 2 undergrads help students get roof over their heads

COMMENT | I'm this close to my EPF money, don't push it further!

E-hailing, p-hailing drivers made EPF members under new scheme