The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has declared a dividend rate of 6.35% for the financial year ending December 31, 2013, an increase of 0.20% from the previous year, making it the biggest ever payout to its members, the pension fund announced today.
A total RM31.20 billion dividend payout will be made, up 13.66% over the RM27.45 billion for 2012 declared last year.
EPF chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman attributed the increase to the fund's prudent investment strategies and improving performance in the past five years.
"Over the years, we have been diversifying our portfolio, thereby spreading out the scope of our assets to manage market risks and generate consistent returns," he said in a statement today.
“Our achievements reflected the effectiveness of a balanced and diversified fund. 2013 was a very good year for our equity investments while the year before that showed us faring better in the fixed income portfolios. By having a diversified portfolio across many markets, we are able to take opportunities when they arise and reduce the overall risk to the fund.
"However, we remain cautious for the coming year as volatility in interest rates may possibly affect our returns, given that EPF funds are predominantly invested in low risk fixed income instruments. Additionally, we anticipate substantial volatility in emerging markets as liquidity tightens globally,” added Samsudin.
The 2013 dividend can be viewed on the EPF’s Facebook page or on its Twitter account, KWSPBuzz as well on YouTube.
EPF account statement for the crediting of the 2013 dividend is now available online via i-Akaun at myEPF website (www.kwsp.gov.my). Members may also get their EPF account statement from EPF Kiosks and branches, starting this Monday. – February 16, 2013.
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