There is no best time for this, whenever you have spare cash and nothing to spend on or no other investments to put in, just dump it into EPF at anytime of your convenience.

Unless you are talking about a few hundred Ks or millions, the difference or "loss of interest" is negligible.
All the best, bro.

That's why I'll just do self contribution, rather than direct deduct from salary. I also won't be able to do so high %, even now after all deduction I only get back roughly 50%. So better just have own emergency saving in case of VSS.

You still only can withdraw the threshold above 1M, which is not suitable as emergency $$$ should VSS happen.

anyone hold their horses due to Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework and stop contributing because u know u wont be able to hit the numbers?

Regarding withdrawals, members with savings exceeding RM1 million currently have the flexibility to withdraw and manage the excess savings. This threshold will align with the Enhanced Savings benchmark and will increase as follows:

RM1.1 million by January 1, 2026
RM1.2 million by January 1, 2027
RM1.3 million by January 1, 2028

after 2028 maybe increase again to like 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 - if continue like that nobody would really want to self contribute as it is a chasing game

If as off 2025 i have 1 million now then 2026 in order be be eligible to withdraw u again need top up 100k
so my advice is pls dont go all in as 1 year self contribute only 100k if u are around 800k better forget it
if you are at 1M maybe still possible

Actually I'm at this stage. Joined work force around 23 and now 56. Hope to survive the rat race till 60 as the last 10 years of corporate career is where the peak earning capacity lies. So next 4 years is where I'm pushing to have my cake and eat it too.

As some say, you will face many headwind where you also considered high cost to company and they will find way to rid you while enriching the top C and shareholders. It's a never ending game... that a topic for another day.

Health wise, I can tell you, 45 is first big one. There was an article mention where there are 2 age stage that sudden seems hit a turbo button on aging...45 and 60. I can attest to that personally. Suddenly, you can't be as crazy as agile as physically as you want it to be. Mentally still good but one never know so I'm trying to make up for lost time... for next 3 decades. It actually terrifying to know what lies ahead where it's not about work, it's how to get age gracefully in terms of health, wealth, relationship, etc as these age where one attending funeral and wedding dinner become routine, empty nester etc

Anyway back to EPF planning, I have seen it.. it can be done. I did some financial assessment and comparisons for friends on their numbers. They are making above 30k monthly for MNC and they are only early 40s. Not even C level. The only bad habits for them, was minimal retirement planning because their income are good and comfortable that they spend thrift ... they felt invisible. Money is good and retail therapy also equally good...watches, wine, michelin rated restaurant, etc...they will have EPF 3M, if they sustained until 55 provided they don't get cut. Cash flow or emergency funds is horrid for them.

'm doing fine at the hawker center..sipping my teh gelas than fancy rm20 latte... lol..my kid education is done, insurance balances being built that I hope enough to self paid from 65onward, mortgage done, etc. Just need to keep up the health and mental well being...stepping into the unknown,... it's almost like a fresh grad clueless day on what come next ... it's all over again..

But hor, by that time at 45, you may think that, why not continue to do as usual for another 10 more years since you are still capable and happy doing it for the past 20 yrs.
New target >10 mil, so that can have better, more secured, more next higher level of lifestyles and expenses options to freely chose and sustain it when you retire after 55 instead of 45..

But, then after 55, that thinking may repeat itself but with a higher target..
Just like want 1.4mil at 36
Want 5-6mil at 45

Ha ha ha

Remember to think about the lost of purchasing power after 40 yrs.
The purchasing power of that 1 mil or 2 mil 40 yrs later will definitely be much lesser than the 1 or 2 mil NOW.

a house purchased at the right location and at the right price NOW will most probably appreciate in value or increases the purchasing power 40 yrs later.