What is EPF i-Sinar ?

Ahead of schedule, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) announces the details and requirements of access to Account 1 under the i-Sinar facility on 16 November 2020. Starting December only can apply. Be patience.

Yes. It's from your EPF Account 1.

Who is Eligible?

After a thorough study and assessment, the EPF has taken the step to widen the scope of i-Sinar to cover active members who:

• have lost their jobs, or
  
• given no-pay leave, or
• have no other source of income, or
  
• reduction of pay (Newly added. See update below.)

When can start applying and get the money?

Eligible members can start applying from December 2020. The funds will be credited into members’ bank accounts by the end of the month following their i-Sinar application.

The first crediting will take place in January 2021. Advances will be made over a period of six (6) months from the first date of crediting.

How much can be withdrawn?

Generally, eligible members will have access to 10% of their savings in Account 1, subject to always having a minimum balance of RM100, and it was separated into two categories as shown below:

1. Eligible members with Account 1 saving of RM100,000 and below;
   ~ can access up to RM9,000 RM10,000 (see update below), and/or
   ~ first month advance of up to RM4,000 RM5,000
   
   
2. Eligible members with Account 1 saving of above RM100,000;
   ~ can access up to 10% or maximum RM60,000, and/or
   ~ first month advance of up to RM10,000

Any implication from this i-Sinar withdrawal?

Yes. Members who choose to apply for the i-Sinar facility will be required to replace the FULL amount advanced. All future contributions will be 100% credited to Account 1 until such time the amount advanced is replenished. Thereafter, contributions will revert back to 70% to Account 1 and 30% to Account 2.

Meaning, the 'hole in your Account 1' due to your act right now, have to be fill back up first in the future before reverting back to normal situation.

Example,

If you took out RM50,000 from Account 1 now, your future EPF contributions have to channel to Account 1 until the RM50,000 amount has been returned. Thereafter, the EPF contributions will back to normal 70% / 30% into respective EPF Accounts.

Source: EPF website

More details will be coming out soon. Stay tuned!

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UPDATE (on 26 November 2020)

i-SINAR: EXPANDED COVERAGE AND MAXIMUM WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT OF UP TO RM10,000 AND RM60,000 FROM ACCOUNT 1

Following the announcement by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz during his Budget 2021 winding-up speech today, EPF members who suffered significant impact to their income which includes loss of employment or reduction of pay are eligible for this i-Sinar withdrawal.

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