SWRC's Visiting Expert, Dr Amjad Rabi underscores the urgent need for Malaysians to rethink retirement in the face of rising longevity. He argues that the traditional mindset of viewing EPF as a lump-sum windfall at age 55 is no longer sustainable; instead, members should transition to a monthly drawdown model to ensure income lasts throughout their lives. Dr Amjad highlights that extending one's working life by just five years, from 55 to 60, can significantly bolster savings due to the power of compounding dividends and continued contributions. Under the RIA framework, he emphasises that achieving "Adequate" or "Enhanced" savings benchmarks is critical to maintaining a decent standard of living. Ultimately, his message is that "working longer" is a strategic choice that allows individuals to "live lighter," reducing the financial anxiety of outliving their assets while ensuring a stable, pension-like flow of income in old age.
Read more at: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2026/04/13/epf-ria-work-longer-live-lighter/