It is depend where you come from, retirement fund can be in many names. In United States of America, it call A 401k, Central Provident Fund in Singapore, and KWSP/ EPF in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, we have Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) or also known as Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) . It is a federal statutory body under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. The function of this body is to manages the compulsory savings plan and retirement planning for private sector workers in Malaysia. This collected saving will be invested in securities and we get a % return annually.
So, How long will our retirement fund last?
In the Linked article, studies shows the 89.2 % of Malaysian realized EPF is not enough for their retirement.
Are you one of the 89.2%?
Further to that, during the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to covid-19, we are allowed to withdraw RM500 for 12months from our account 2. However, around 2.8mil Malaysian's EPF saving in account 2 unable to last for 12 months.
This shows us how unprepared are we when an financial emergency hit us.
Therefore, we should not rely on single saving tools and should grow your saving by diversify into other investment tools such as Stocks, bonds, unit trusts, property...etc that you are comfortable with the risk involved.
You may need to study in depth before invest from the fundamental perspective such as:
- Is there a future demand from the company services / products
- Are your investment resilient to crisis
- Financial stability of a company, you may need to reach out for their Annual report for the data.
- Possible future growth of company.
- Alert to domestic and global news
When we going through all this steps, we are practicing value investing and invest for long term. This method were and still practicing by Warren Buffet, who are a leading figure in global stock market. If not, you are just practicing gambling or speculating for the best.
If you have any question regarding financial topics, you are always welcome to drop by some comment below.
or
Your are having trouble setting up your first investment, I am happy to assist you now.