In order to be smart and calculative in personal finance matters, understanding the time value of money is an essential part of the learning process.
I will be posting a series of computation methods related to time value of money on every Wednesday. Today, we will learn to calculate the total retirement fund in the EPF (Employee Provident Fund).
In this case, we have to make some assumptions in order to compute the value
- the amount of deposit will increase over time at a constant rate (the normal salary increment rate)
- interest are paid at year end and always at the same rate
Common Problems
You started your career as an engineer at 24 years old with a starting pay of RM2500 per month. Contractual bonus is one additional month. The average salary increase during your lifetime is estimated at 7% per year. EPF pays an average annual dividend of 5% p.a. Your contribution to EPF is 11% of your salary and 12% is contribution from your employer. How much will you get when you retire at age 55?
Theory
Use the formula below:
where i = EPF dividend rate;
n = number of years;
A = initial amount of deposit
g = rate of salary growth
FV = future value of EPF account
Solutions
You started your career as an engineer at 24 years old with a starting pay of RM2500 per month. Contractual bonus is one additional month. The average salary increase during your lifetime is estimated at 7% per year. EPF pays an average annual dividend of 5% p.a. Your contribution to EPF is 11% of your salary and 12% is contribution from your employer. How much will you get when you retire at age 55?
First step is to find out the various variables.
The initial amount of deposit, A = RM2500 x (12+1 months) x (11+12)%
A = 2500 x 13 x 0.23
= RM7475
The number of years, n = 55-24 = 31 years
The EPF dividend growth rate, i = 5% p.a. = 0.05
The salary growth rate, g = 7% p.a. = 0.07
Substitute the variables in the formula above.
The total fund in EPF, FV = RM1.379 million
In order to give you convenient tools, there are several web-based EPF calculators developed:
EPF calculator by RHB BANK
Calculator: How Much Will your EPF be Worth? by Mayban Life
Exercise
Tan started his career as an executive in a local firm at age 18 with a starting pay of RM1200 per month. The average salary increase during his lifetime is estimated at 5% per year. EPF pays an average annual dividend of 5% p.a. His contribution to EPF is 11% of and his company contributes 13%. How much will Tan entitled to withdraw at age 50? (Assuming EPF withdrawal rules still remain the same as year 2007)
Post your answer in the comment section. The first commenter who posted the right answers will get a special 3D birthday card sponsored by Pigeon Card.
Previous Tutorial on Time Value of Money
How to calculate the value of single sum investment {Time Value of Money Tutorial}
Finding the Rate of Return to Meet Financial Goals {Time Value of Money Tutorial}
Computing the Value of a Fixed Sum Invested Regularly {Time Value of Money Tutorial}
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Tan will entitle to withdrawn RM 171,000 at age 50.
My calculation shows RM153,981.23
Can calculate EPF fund using financial calculator HP 10II B ( for example above )?
Total EPF saving = RM434,379 (based on current withdrawal Tan entitle to withdraw 30% of total saving (all in acc II).
Entitle to withdraw at age 50 = RM130,314