EPF i-Saraan: up to RM500 a year for self-employed and gig workers
By DuitMap · Published · Updated · 8 min read
If you are self-employed, run a small business, freelance or work as a rider or driver, no employer pays EPF for you. i-Saraan is EPF's answer: you save voluntarily and the government adds a 20% special incentive, up to RM500 a year.
This guide explains who qualifies, how much to save to get the full incentive, how i-Saraan differs from i-Saraan Plus (e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, up to RM600) and i-Suri, and how to register step by step. Every figure comes from EPF's official pages and the Ministry of Finance Budget 2027 documents.
According to EPF, i-Saraan is a voluntary contribution scheme for members who are self-employed, have no fixed income or work in the gig economy. You save for your own retirement, and the government pays a special incentive on what you contribute in the current year.
Besides the incentive, i-Saraan savings earn the annual dividend like any EPF savings, and EPF lists death assistance and tax relief (subject to EPF and LHDN terms) as extra benefits.
The rate went up from 15% to 20%EPF says the i-Saraan special incentive rate was raised from 15% to 20%, but the yearly cap stays at RM500 and the lifetime cap at RM5,000 (or until age 60, whichever comes first).
Who qualifies for i-Saraan?
The conditions in EPF's FAQ:
Already registered as an EPF member.
A Malaysian citizen.
Below 60 (members aged 55 to 59 can still register).
Self-employed with no fixed income, a gig economy worker, or a civil servant in a pensionable scheme. Serving armed forces members can also apply if they are EPF members.
Typical examples: night-market and small shop owners, online sellers, freelancers, tradespeople and small contractors, delivery riders and e-hailing drivers. No EPF account yet? You can register as a member first through the same channels.
How much incentive do you get?
The incentive is 20% of your total voluntary contributions in the current year, up to RM500 a year. To get the full RM500 you need to contribute at least RM2,500 in the year. Anything above that still counts as your savings, but the incentive stays at RM500.
Your contributions in the year
Government incentive
RM100 (example: RM100 a year)
RM20
RM1,000
RM200
RM2,500 (about RM209 a month)
RM500 (the maximum)
RM5,000
RM500 (still the maximum)
The RM5,000 lifetime cap counts from 2024. EPF's example: if you received RM500 in 2024 and RM500 in 2025, you can still receive RM4,000.
When is the incentive paid?EPF credits the special incentive twice a year, once it receives the payment from the government. So it does not appear straight after you contribute.
i-Saraan vs i-Saraan Plus vs i-Suri
From 2026, EPF introduced i-Saraan Plus for e-hailing and p-hailing (food, drink and parcel delivery) drivers. The platform provider contributes on your behalf through i-Akaun (Employer) and you are enrolled automatically, but you must register for i-Saraan first. You can also top up yourself through the usual channels to reach the RM600 maximum.
i-Saraan
i-Saraan Plus
i-Suri
Who it is for
Self-employed, no fixed income, gig workers
e-hailing and p-hailing drivers
Women listed in eKasih (as at 30 Nov of the previous year)
Automatic when the platform contributes (register for i-Saraan first)
Register via the i-Saraan menu, or automatic if matched to eKasih
Only one incentive a yearAccording to EPF, a member gets only one incentive in a year: i-Saraan or i-Saraan Plus, not both. If you contribute through more than one platform, all platform contributions are added up, capped at RM600 a year.
How to register for i-Saraan (step by step)
EPF offers four ways to register. The quickest is the KWSP i-Akaun app:
1. Download the KWSP i-Akaun app and log in (or activate your account).
2. Choose i-Saraan Registration and follow the on-screen steps.
3. No smartphone? Register at any EPF Self-Service Terminal (SST) with your MyKad, or at an EPF office with form KWSP 16G (M).
4. Once registered, make your first contribution (minimum RM1). Women listed in eKasih are registered for i-Suri through the same i-Saraan menu.
You can pay once or every month. Electronic payments are credited within 3 working days, other channels within 7 working days.
The KWSP i-Akaun app or i-Akaun (Member) portal, including Auto Simpan (automatic monthly deduction via DuitNow AutoDebit).
Internet banking: Alliance Bank, Bank Islam, Bank Muamalat, BSN, CIMB, Hong Leong, Maybank, MBSB, Public Bank, RHB and AmBank.
Bank agent counters (BSN, Maybank, Public Bank, RHB) with form KWSP 6A (2), or BSN Registered Bank Agents.
Debit card through the EPF Mobile Team or an SST at selected EPF offices.
Simple tip: set Auto Simpan to about RM209 a month (RM2,500 a year) to reach the full RM500. Irregular income? Start small and top up when you have a surplus; the minimum is just RM1.
Contributions cannot be refundedEPF says all i-Saraan contributions are final and cannot be refunded. Check your member number and the amount before paying. The cap for all voluntary contributions (i-Simpan, i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus, i-Suri) is RM100,000 a year.
Which EPF account does the money go to?
For members below 55, i-Saraan contributions are split 75% to Akaun Persaraan (Account 1), 15% to Akaun Sejahtera (Account 2) and 10% to Akaun Fleksibel (Account 3). The special incentive goes to Akaun Persaraan.
For members aged 55 and above, 100% of contributions and the incentive go to Akaun Emas, and contributions made after 55 can only be withdrawn after age 60.
Budget 2027: what is proposed?
The Ministry of Finance Budget 2027 documents (9 October 2026) propose implementing the i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus and i-Suri matching incentives with EPF matching contributions of up to RM600 a year or RM6,000 per lifetime, with RM380 million for more than 1,000,000 gig-sector contributors and housewives. EPF's statement the same day said i-Saraan Plus for e-hailing and p-hailing drivers will continue.
Budget 2027 also proposes registering every citizen as an EPF member automatically at age 18. As of 29 October 2026, EPF had not published the 2027 i-Saraan terms, so the 2026 rates above still apply. We will update this guide when the new terms are out.
Gig workers: other protection worth having
SOCSO LINDUNG Kendiri: if you are self-employed in a non-mandatory sector, the 2026 Padanan70 lets you pay just RM70 for a year of cover (see the card below). Delivery riders and e-hailing drivers are in mandatory sectors, so they don't qualify for Padanan70.
20% of your voluntary contributions in the current year, up to RM500 a year. The lifetime cap is RM5,000 or until age 60, whichever comes first.
How much do I need to save to get RM500?
At least RM2,500 in the year, about RM209 a month. Saving RM1,000 gives a RM200 incentive.
Who qualifies for i-Saraan?
Malaysian EPF members below 60 who are self-employed, have no fixed income or work in the gig economy. Civil servants in a pensionable scheme also qualify.
What is the difference between i-Saraan and i-Saraan Plus?
i-Saraan Plus is for e-hailing and p-hailing drivers: contributions come through the platform, and the incentive is up to RM600 a year and RM6,000 per lifetime. You must register for i-Saraan first, and only one incentive is paid per year.
When is the i-Saraan incentive credited?
EPF credits it twice a year into Akaun Persaraan (Account 1), once it receives the payment from the government.
Can I get my i-Saraan contributions back?
No. EPF says i-Saraan contributions are final. The money stays in your EPF account and is withdrawn under EPF's normal rules.
Is i-Saraan going up to RM600 in 2027?
Budget 2027 proposes matching of up to RM600 a year or RM6,000 per lifetime for i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus and i-Suri. It is still a proposal; EPF had not published the 2027 terms as of 29 October 2026.
STR 2027 applications are open all year from 15 Oct 2026. Eligibility, 2027 STR + SARA amounts by income and children, how to apply and how to avoid scams.
The SARA 2026 spending period ends on 31 December 2026. How to check your balance, who gets how much, which shops accept SARA, what you can buy and what is proposed for 2027.
A summary of EPF's official i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus and i-Suri pages and FAQs and the Ministry of Finance Budget 2027 documents, checked 29 October 2026. Incentives are subject to the government's terms and to EPF receiving the funds from the government. The 2027 figures are still Budget 2027 proposals; follow EPF's page once the 2027 terms are published. Disclaimer
