In the Belanjawan 2026 presentation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening social protection and enhancing retirement savings for Malaysians across all income levels.

The Budget underscores the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable financial future, particularly for those working in the informal sector, such as gig workers, delivery riders, and self-employed individuals.

Here are some key EPF enhancements you should take note of and how to benefit from them.

i-Saraan Plus: Bigger support for gig and self-employed workers

One of the key changes is the rollout of i-Saraan Plus, a new voluntary contribution scheme for gig workers, e-hailing drivers, parcel/food couriers (also known as p-hailing), freelancers, and self-employed Malaysians.

Under this scheme:

• You’ll get matching contributions from the government of up to RM600 per year.
• There’s a lifetime cap of RM6,000 for the matching contributions.
• This builds on the existing i-Saraan programme, which offered matching of up to RM500 per year (and a lifetime cap of RM 5,000).

This initiative reflects the government’s intention to narrow the savings gap between formal and informal workers, ensuring that no Malaysian is left behind in retirement preparedness.

Read also: How to Save for Retirement as a Gig Worker or Freelancer

i-Suri scheme expansion

For housewives registered under the e-Kasih database, eligibility for the i-Suri programme has now been extended up to the age of 60, in line with the country’s minimum retirement age. This change provides full-time homemakers with more time and opportunity to build their own EPF savings and enjoy long-term financial security.

Flexibility via Akaun Sejahtera: health protection option

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection, EPF members are expected to be able to use savings from their Akaun Sejahtera to subscribe to basic health or medical coverage through insurance or takaful.

This option aims to provide essential protection for members from lower-income groups while preserving the core purpose of retirement savings. It also supports the broader MADANI goal of enhancing quality of life and expanding access to healthcare for all Malaysians.

Hajj withdrawal limit increased

Good news for members planning to perform the Hajj — the EPF withdrawal limit for this purpose has now been increased from RM3,000 to RM10,000. With this flexibility, members can use a portion of their Akaun Sejahtera savings to fulfil their lifelong dream of travelling to the sacred sanctuary, while continuing to safeguard their long-term retirement funds.

What you (members) can do ahead of the Belanjawan 2026 initiatives

Check your eligibility

• If you are self-employed or part of the gig economy, familiarise yourself with the i-Saraan eligibility criteria on the EPF website. This way, you’ll be ready to register once the initiative is launched.

Contribute regularly

• Start thinking about your monthly savings and how you can maximise the RM600 government matching incentive under i-Saraan Plus. Even small, consistent savings can make a big difference over time.

Stay updated

• Keep an eye on EPF’s official announcements for detailed guidelines once the new scheme is launched in 2026, including registration steps, contribution methods, and the latest eligibility updates.

Balance health and retirement needs

• If you plan to use your Akaun Sejahtera for health or medical protection, research and choose a plan that is both affordable and essential. This way, you can safeguard your health without compromising your future retirement savings.

For more information about Belanjawan 2026 and the full list of initiatives, visit the Budget Portal of the Ministry of Finance Malaysia. Together, these measures aim to strengthen social protection and support all Malaysians in building a more secure financial future.