Yeah, sluggish company. Dividend on last year need to declare at the end of March on next year usually.

Looks like EPF divi returns are quite good even during the worst of times (2002-2003, 2008-2009).
Sum more, it can be compounded over the years...

Oh, I see. Your earlier post is not clear. Anyway, you have your answers from the other contributors now.

Wat, EPF no PIDM protection how if coolapse ... he..he..

Boss, if you look at the history back to 1980s, you may not think it is "quite good"

1983-1987 8.5%
1988-1994 8.0%
1995 7.5%
1996 7.7%
1997-1998 6.7%
1999 6.84%
2000-2011 NEVER MORE THAN 6%

2012 EPF dividend will be higher and annouce early Feb 2013 to capture the GE hype

2012 - 6.00% dividend,
better than Singapore Retirement Fund (CPF) or known as Central Provident Fund, Ordinary Account (OA) since 1995 to 2010 average 2.8% interest to maximum 3% interest. SMRA Account or known as special and medisave account (SA) mainly for 4.10% interest rates over 5 years.

1# Minimum OA account - 2.5% interest rates
2# Minininum SA account - 4% interest rates

Info,
http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/News/News-Rele...Oct2011_MF3.htm
http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Gen-Info/I...s/Int-Rates.htm
http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/News/Highlight...investments.htm

Comparison has to be made against the bank FD. During 1983...1995...bank FD is 6 to 7 %. In short generally they always declare slightly higher than bank FD

Taiko, if you want to compare other country's retirement fund, it would in better perspective if you could compare more countries, both 3rd world and developed countries ?

If only 1 country, then can I choose India to show better interest rates declared to show my point ?

I agree

I was referring more to the usage of the fund lent to the government. How the government use low yield EPF loan to manage the country. If the government borrow less, then EPF will have more opportunity for better yield assets, hence better returns to us. I have max out whatever I can withdraw from my EPF a/c. Just personal financial preference

But if I go further, I will be OT in this thread. So, I think it is appropriate for me to stop

EddyLB,

India inflation rate is much higher and worst than Malaysia, most good fixed deposit interest given by those country, inflation rate are not good. The reason i pick Singapore because it only our neighbor country. Their interest rate and inflation is better than us, if we compare before independence for Malaysia, Singapore and Malaysia exchange is same currency rate. Our currency depreciate a lot compare Singapore Dollar.

Opps, I think out of topic now, better we stop right here and discuss our sharing at other thread.

This post has been edited by adolph: Jan 27 2013, 01:03 PM

we can take fd anytime as we wish, probably less interest if we take before maturity. but we can only take epf fund for purchase house or some investment recognised by epf. thus, we cant compare fd with epf.

For those 55 and above, it is equivalent to bank FD unless government changes the rule on withdrawal

True, that's why it is call a retirement fund. Just don't consider the EPF as FD which you can take out at maturity (1 year or more) unless your maturity is like 55 years old (depending on how old you are, it can be decades away or it could just years).
Just don't take it out from EPF until one is ready to retire.

But... think about this.

This is a government run retirement fund as opposed to some privately run fund. Unless the ENTIRE Malaysia govt will collapse and bankrupt (change of govt doesn't count), I think your money is safe.

Even some private unit trusts weren't able to generate more than 5% return during the worst of times, furthermore their roll over fees have taken certain percentage of your earnings.

But, if someone has no other SAFE avenue to park their savings until retirement, EPF is really the way to go.

Furthermore, if someone over the decades of working and have been saving substantial income (eg. over 1-2 mln)
accumulated, 5%~6% of the dividends alone could last that individual the remaining of his/her lifetime if he/she
lives moderately.

Anyone of you receive call/letter from BR to collect free gifts for CNY yet? This usually given to their FD customers

I'm planning to put around 3k plus in FD and planning to take it out at the end of this year or early next year.

Any banks to suggest?

3k??? Any bank is fine as the amount of interest would not be big different in view of the principle amount.....sorry. no offence. If you are from KL, suggest Hong Leong MACH 4% p.a, or RHB, 3.88%p.a.

I was also looking at placing some money into Mach by Hong Leong but it appeares that their minimum deposit is 10k regardless of tenure.

This post has been edited by lamhewtot: Jan 29 2013, 06:44 PM

Guys, 2 questions:

(1) Bank Rakyat FD
- do we have to open a savings account to place FD?
- placement with bank draft/cashier's order, placement date = effective date?

(2) Hong Leong - can place FD at branch other than domicile branch of my savings account?

Thanks in advance

HAve you?, i have not, or are they not sending out this CNY?

FD for BR, effective FD date from the day you give them the cheque. You need SA if you want the interst monthly credit into SA, otherwise no SA also can, just get your interest at the branch when it's due. If you have 2 names for the FD, SA must also have the same 2 names.