KUCHING: The announcement of a 6.15 per cent dividend for 2025 by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has drawn mixed but generally measured reactions from contributors here, with many describing the return as reasonable despite being slightly lower than 2024.
The dividend for both conventional and Syariah savings stood at 6.15 per cent, compared to 6.3 per cent in 2024.
However, the total payout for 2025 rose to RM79.6 billion, surpassing the RM73.24 billion distributed the previous year.
Freelance public relations consultant Faiz Alavi, 29, described his reaction as “toned down”, saying a marginally lower dividend had been expected.
“Comparing to 2024, while the rate was higher at 6.3 per cent, the amount distributed was lower. This year, even with 6.15 per cent, the total payout is higher,” he said.
Faiz pointed out that the increase in total distribution reflected a 12.8 per cent rise in investment returns for 2025, with equities contributing RM50.7 billion, or more than 60 per cent of investment income.
“In reflection of that, we should be looking at this with satisfaction,” he added.
On a personal level, he said the dividend was still welcome news.
“Money is money. Reports are rather positive and I can’t see any downs besides the slightly lower dividend,” he said, while noting that broader concerns such as household price controls were separate issues.
Manager for Board Education and Development at Financial Institutions Directors’ Education (FIDE) Forum, Pleant Rovella, 38, said the return remained decent overall but admitted she had expected it to be slightly higher given that 2024 was described as strong.
“My reaction is more curiosity than anything else. I just wonder how the returns are being balanced from year to year,” she said.
Pleant said while the drop from 6.3 per cent to 6.15 per cent was small, it was still noticeable.
“People will naturally want to understand the thinking behind it, especially when performance is said to be strong,” she added.
She described EPF savings as more of a long-term assurance than a source of immediate spending.
“Seeing steady growth is reassuring, even if the difference from last year is small,” she said, adding that consistency and clarity in decision-making mattered more than chasing a higher number.
Teacher at SMK Hajjah Laila Taib, Kedung B.K., 30, expressed a positive outlook, calling 6.15 per cent a strong return despite the slight dip from 2024.
“Considering the global economic uncertainty and how volatile the market can be, 6.15 per cent is still satisfactory,” she said.
She noted that the rate was higher than inflation and remained competitive compared to several dividend figures recorded over the past decade.
“In the long run, it helps increase retirement savings. Even a small percentage can cause a big difference over several years due to compounding,” she said.
Kedung added that the dividend signalled prudent fund management.
“Despite the current economic climate and currency fluctuations, EPF still managed to yield a reasonably strong return, which is commendable,” she said.
Meanwhile, Procurement Manager at the Asia School of Business (ASB), Qurratu ‘Aini Hasram, 30, gave a candid first reaction.
“Oh! It’s lower than last year,” she said.
Nevertheless, she viewed the rate as satisfactory.
“Yes, I think it’s satisfactory given that dividends fluctuate. It’s part and parcel of investments,” she said.
Qurratu noted that as the dividend goes into Account 1, it does not directly impact her day-to-day finances.
“Since it goes into Account 1, it doesn’t directly impact me as of now. But it’s nice to see additional money in the account,” she said.
In assessing the fund’s performance, she said historical trends showed fluctuations over the past five years.
“If we compare with 2020, I’d say that the fund’s management has improved. But if we compare with last year, it appears that performance dropped. However, last year’s and this year’s dividends are relatively close to each other. So overall, it’s good work that could be improved on next year,” she said.
While expressing hope for stronger returns ahead, she acknowledged current global realities.
“Everyone always strives for a higher return. However, with geopolitics happening around the globe and the fact that we are living in uncertainties, this rate is acceptable,” she added.
Across the board, respondents agreed that although a higher dividend would always be welcome, stability and sustainability remain key priorities in safeguarding long-term retirement savings.
