Introduction
EPF was started for the sole purpose of forcing employees to set aside a certain percentage of their income for their retirement. It was generally perceived that if the contributions were to be used for other purposes, this would have a detrimental impact on the size of the retirement nest egg.
However, using these contributions to finance outstanding housing loans is also another form of long term saving as the property is likely to appreciate after the mortgage is settled. This article discusses how you can utilize your EPF money for your home loan installment and the subsequent impact such a move may have on your retirement fund.
How it Works?
This type of withdrawal involves you withdrawing money from your Account 2 to finance your monthly installments for your housing loan, which was taken up either to buy a new house or build a new one.
Contributors need to go to the EPF to apply for the monthly withdrawal only once, and subsequent payments would be directly credited to their personal accounts every month.
You are eligible to apply if you are:
- A Malaysian Citizen
or
- A Malaysian Citizen who has made Leaving-Country Withdrawal (a full withdrawal) before 1 August 1995 and has opted to re-contribute.
or
- A Non-Malaysian Citizen (Expatriate) who has become an EPF member before 1 August 1998.
or
- A Non-Malaysian Citizen who has obtained a Permanent Resident (PR) status.
- You have not reached age 55 at the time the EPF receives your application. The maximum age allowed for application of this withdrawal is 54 years and 6 months.
- You still have a balance in Account 2 of at least RM600.00.
- You do not have arrears for your housing loan.
Documents required
- For the first withdrawal, you are required to submit all of the following:
- KWSP Form 9P (AHL)
- A photocopy of myKad/IC
- A photocopy of the bank book for your active account
- Bank Confirmation Letter/ Housing Loan Statement
- Deed of Agreement of Sale and Purchase/Build House
- All loan approval letters
- All redemption letters from previous financier(s)
- Proof of Mortgage/Transfer of Ownership (Mortgage Form & Ownership documentations or Binding Transfer of Ownership Letter
For subsequent withdrawals, the following need to be submitted:
- A completed monthly withdrawal form
- A photocopy of myKad/IC
- A photocopy of the bank book for your active account
- Latest housing loan statement
If your loan comes from a bank with an online housing loan verification with EPF, the following need to be submitted:
- A completed monthly withdrawal form
- A photocopy of myKad/IC
- A photocopy the bank book for your active account
- Latest housing loan statement
If you have opted for the refinancing facility, you will have to produce all the required documents similar to first withdrawal.
Example: Individual withdrawal
Example: Individual withdrawal
House Price
| RM 200,000.00
|
Housing Loan with Bank ‘A’
| RM 180,000.00
|
Latest Outstanding Loan Amount with Bank ‘A’
| RM 150,000.00
|
Monthly Repayment Amount To Bank
| RM 1,300.00
|
Savings In Your Account 2
| RM 120,000.00
|
Maximum Amount You May Withdraw
| RM 80,000.00
|
Accummulated Monthly Repayment Amount
(Minimum 6 Months)
| RM 7,800.00
|
Monthly Payment Amount From EPF
(Minimum RM100.00 and maximum RM1,300.00)
| RM 1,300.00
|
For joint withdrawals, the amount eligible for withdrawal is the total outstanding balance of the loan or the balance amount in Account II for both applications.
Conditions when EPF will revoke the monthly installment withdrawal and render members to be unable to be eligible to apply for a similar withdrawal in the future:
- Members have a non-performing loan with a financial institution.
- Loans have been revoked/redeemed.
- The house has been sold/auctioned/transferred to another party.
- Members who are convicted of cheating by submitting fraudulent documents/information for this withdrawal
How Does Withdrawing EPF Affect Your Retirement Fund?
If contributors withdraw their EPF for housing purposes, they will in turn have fewer funds for their retirement. However, at least they can be sure that they have roof to live under. For now, property is affordable in Malaysia, but one never knows what will happen to the property market in the future. Looking at Korea and Taiwan, it is almost impossible to own a home at big city if you are not rich.
The move to allow withdrawal of EPF to finance housing loans is a new one, which would benefit about five million active EPF contributors. Contributors who previously found it monetarily tight to buy a property can now consider doing so with this new withdrawal scheme.
This way, some contributors would be able to own better houses and yet be able to lessen their monthly financial obligations.
Photo by jjze
Contributors who are currently homeowners and are paying mortgage can also experience better cash flow as less money is spent out of hand for the loan.
This new withdrawal scheme is also good for those who know how to manage money. They can use this facility to grow their wealth. For instance, consumer debt in the form of credit card loans, personal loans can be paid off; they can invest for better return or even fund higher education.
However, for those who are financially illiterate, more money equals more trouble. They will spend for instant gratification without thinking of future needs. This may cause a social problem in the future when retiree has inadequate funds to live on.
5 Suggestions to channel EPF back to your retirement fund
Since you are reading this blog, I bet that you are amongst those who want to take advantage of this withdrawal facility and grow your retirement further. Here are 5 suggestions to channel your EPF money back to your retirement fund:
1. Buy unit trust fund that will outperform EPF (5% currently) – by applying ringgit cost averaging strategy
2. invest in shares – buy blue chip, aim for high dividend payout
3. buy another property – to receive rental income after retirement
4. buy an annuity plan – to receive yearly income during retirement
5. Pay towards the principle of your housing loan, thus shorten the loan tenure and save on interest charge.
36 replies to "Withdraw EPF Money for Home Loan Installment: How it affects your Retirement Fund"
Thought-provoking commentary ! I learned a lot from the info – Does anyone know where my company would be able to find a sample MUIH Individual Course(s) Withdrawal Request Form document to use ?
I am not sure if this is what you need:
http://www.kwsp.gov.my/portal/en/web/kwsp/withdrawal-de-web-form
Better check with EPF directly. They reply emails.
Hi Noy. my friend completed a fillable MUIH Individual Course(s) Withdrawal Request Form form with this link “https://goo.gl/MIdWwe”.
Hie I would like to no wether can I settle my aeon credit personal loan amount about RM 5000k by withdraw from my kwsp 2nd account ..tq
I am not sure if you can do that. But you should check with EPF to confirm.
Dear KC,
Does it have to be a home loan per se or can also be flexi term loan for a commercial property?
Also, can I only withdraw for x no. of months or does it have to be until loan is fully settled?
Thanks!
Hi Melanie, the best is to ask EPF directly for the most accurate answer.
As far as I know, it has to be a residential property loan. There is a minimum I think 6 months worth of installment in your Account 2 before you can initiate the withdrawal.
Hi there,
Is it worth to withdrawal epf money to pay housing loan? Current epf interest is 6-7% while my housing loan interest is less than 5%. If it is worth, I would like to pay my principal amount
There are two types of withdrawal
– Type 1: The fund in Account 2 is withdrawn and paid to bank directly to reduce the principle amount
– Type 2: The fund is being paid to you in the amount of the installment, each month.
For type 1, you will be earning less with your EPF money because apparently 6-7% is better than 4.5% mortgage interest
For type 2, you have control over the money. If you are a good investor, you can get higher return than 6-7%.
Hi KC
HSE loan267K. Account 2 total 167K. Can I choose to clear my account 2? If I do would my monthly instalment reduce. Who decides wheter epf would opt for monthly payment? Bank? EPF? Or me? Thanks man
You have two choices. Go to EPF office and they will ask you which option you want:
Option 1: Issue RM167k to pay off the principle loan of your mortgage. The cheque will be issued to the bank bracket your account if not mistaken.
Option 2: To withdraw to pay off monthly installment of the mortgage. Then you will receive the fund every month in your bank account.
I’ll go for option 2 as it will be better cash flow on rental income versus option 1. The funds can also be used for more stocks or mutual funds with dollar coast averaging strategy to get better than 5% pa
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hi i have a doubt bout buying hous wit my EPF money.
ok i am 21 this year but i plan to buy it 3 years time. how do i apply the loan or get the loan.
and which account i would get to take out for the loan? please advice me.
thanks
Hi Jack,
You can take out your epf acc 2 for housing purchase irregardless of your age. It is good to buy property at a younger age as it is a long term investment which is always likely appreciating in value. Just check out the EPF website for more info.
Rgds
For a recent retired person, is it better to keep funds in the EPF to earn higher dividend or buy a house to rent out. The current rental will fetch about 4% to 6%. The property is somewhere near Utar in Kampar.
Thank you.
if ‘i’m a bankruptcy after 55 years old can withdraw the EPF money ??
Hi there,
Is it possible to take money from Acct 2 Second time and have it in my personal acct rather than pay the bank directly?
Only if you opt for monthly repayment on housing loan
If you are looking for lump sum deduction From EPF withdrawal , they will bank into your loan account directly
Hi KC
Assuming that I can afford to pay high down payment for another house, is it better to take higher mortgage, i.e. lower down payment or low mortgage, i.e. high down payment for 2nd EPF withdrawal to make financial sense?
Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Question on whether contributors can withdraw to settled their credit cards debts
not clearly answered. Can or cannot. I got no housing loan.
No. You can’t withdraw money from EPF to pay credit card debt.
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Hi,
I have enough fund in my EPF Acct 2 to settle my house loan outstanding amount. Currently the loan fixed rate I am servicing is 8% PA. Would you reckon I to “settle” the loan now (remaining 25 years) from the Acct 2 and then arrange a new financing for 2nd house?
@ Fisol Bakar
It is advisable to settle your existing loan (8% interest) with EPF money (only 4-6% recently).
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Hi, I know its not related to what you have but can you tell me how to apply for my EPF payout? I have been in New Zealand for nearly 30 years and will be visitng Msia in a couple months time for two weeks. Moreover I lost my IC card but can remember the numbers.
Cath,
I think you better check with http://www.kwsp.gov.my
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It would be a good idea to explain what an EPF is… for international visitors. I don’t know what it means. Does it mean Earnings for Pension Funds?
Kenneth
EPF stands for Employee Provident Fund, something like 401(k) in the US.