EPF nets RM75bil from RM213bil outsourced funds
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM213.21 billion had been outsourced to external fund managers as at end-2024, representing 17 per cent of the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) total investment assets.
In a statement, the retirement savings fund said its panel of external fund managers delivered a record total income of 24 per cent of its overall investment income.
EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said the achievement reflects the depth of talent, insight and collaboration across the investment ecosystem cultivated by the EPF and its external fund managers.
"Despite the external headwinds and market volatility over the past year, the EPF and its external fund managers have demonstrated agility and resilience in managing a diversified portfolio aimed at delivering long-term value for our members," he said.
For the financial year ended 2024, the EPF delivered a dividend rate of 6.30 per cent for both Simpanan Konvensional and Simpanan Shariah, resulting in a total payout of RM73.24 billion.
Of this amount, RM63.05 billion was distributed to Simpanan Konvensional, while RM10.19 billion to Simpanan Shariah.
The EPF recorded a total investment income of RM74.46 billion in 2024, while the size of its investment assets grew to RM1.25 trillion.
Mohd Zuki said the fund is committed to innovation, leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to enhance operational efficiency and develop a more agile, future-ready investment infrastructure.
"At the same time, the integration of ESG considerations across our portfolios remains a strategic priority to reinforce long-term resilience.
"We actively engage with our external fund managers to ensure they are aligned with our purpose for sustainable and inclusive growth," he added.
To recognise their exceptional performance, the EPF honoured 12 top-performing external fund managers across their respective mandates at the annual EPF External Fund Managers Award Dinner.
Among the winners are BNP Paribas Asset Management Najmah Malaysia Sdn Bhd named the Best Domestic Equity Fund Manager (Syariah) and Nomura Asset Management awarded the Best EPF Global Equity Fund Manager and Best EPF External Fund Manager.
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The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Is there a 'right' retirement age?
Here we go again. Yet another round of viewpoints regarding increasing the retirement age. This came after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said suggested that the government consider raising the retirement age to 65. It was her personal opinion but it opened the flood gates of debate from the public on whether this was a good or bad idea. My view on this? Neither good nor bad, but unavoidable, inevitable. The number of countries opting to raise their retirement age is growing. In the majority of countries in Europe, the retirement age is 65 and above, with Denmark and Norway leading at 67. What about Asia? Singapore is following suit. It plans to raise the statutory retirement age from 63 to 65 and the re-employment age from 68 to 70 in 2026. For Japan, it's 65. For Korea, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, it's 60 but it will likely be raised in the coming years. China is also joining the lineup. 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There are retirees who miss the social connections at work. When they stop working, life can become lonely. They miss their former colleagues. They miss the daily chat, the company outings and social functions. Isolation and loneliness can affect the mental health and wellbeing of older people. If these retirees were your parents, wouldn't you want them to continue working a few years longer and to remain independent longer? For young people who oppose raising the retirement age, be thankful that your working parents are self-supporting, and not a financial burden to you. Regardless of whether the retirement age is 60, 65 or 70, everyone reaches that age one day. Everyone has parents and grandparents. Think of them when you think of whether to support the proposal to raise the retirement age. We need to look at the issue both objectively and subjectively, from the government's point of view, from the employers' stand and also from the perspective of both the young and the old. 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