EPF Retirement Account (Akaun 1): when you can withdraw, age 55, age 60 and other options

The Retirement Account (Akaun Persaraan) is the new name for EPF Account 1 since the three-account structure took effect on 11 May 2024. According to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), its savings cannot be withdrawn before a member turns 55, except in certain situations. This guide is based on the official EPF website, which we read on 25 Oct 2026.

When the Retirement Account can be withdrawn

Before age 55, Retirement Account savings can only be used or withdrawn in these situations:

• Members Investment Scheme: eligible members can invest part of their savings through approved fund management institutions, subject to conditions.
• Incapacitation, death or leaving the country: these withdrawals are allowed from all accounts.
• Pensionable employees: withdrawals for pensionable employees are also allowed from all accounts.
• Savings above the limit: for 2026, members aged 55 and below whose savings exceed RM1.1 million can withdraw the amount above RM1.1 million.

Withdrawals for personal use are not on the list of Retirement Account withdrawals before age 55. The limit for withdrawing savings above the threshold rises to RM1.2 million in 2027 and RM1.3 million in 2028.

Other withdrawal options before age 55

The Age 50 Withdrawal is made from the Wellbeing Account, not the Retirement Account. Members aged 50 to 54 can apply for it once only, for all or part of their Wellbeing Account savings.

The Flexible Account can be withdrawn through the KWSP i-Akaun app, the i-Akaun portal or an EPF office. The full conditions are in our Flexible Account guide.

What happens at 55 and 60

At 55, the savings in the Retirement Account, Wellbeing Account and Flexible Account are combined into Akaun 55. You can withdraw these savings at any time, in full, in part or through i-Emas (monthly payments).

• i-Emas: a minimum of RM100 a month or RM1,200 a year, for at least 12 months or until age 100. Payments are credited on the 25th of every month, or the next working day if that date falls on a weekend or public holiday.
• Partial withdrawal: no minimum withdrawal amount.

If you keep working after 55, new contributions are credited to Akaun Emas and can only be withdrawn at 60. At 60, the savings in Akaun 55 and Akaun Emas are combined for the Age 60 Withdrawal.

The Budget 2027 speech (9 Oct 2026) also said members aged 55 and 60 can choose i-Emas so that their remaining savings keep earning dividends.

Civil servants under the government pension scheme must make sure the government's share is returned to the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) through a Pre-PEN application. The balance of Akaun 55 and Akaun Emas can only be withdrawn after that share has been returned.

Watch out for fake withdrawal offers

All types of EPF withdrawal are listed on the official kwsp.gov.my website and applied for through the KWSP i-Akaun app, the i-Akaun portal or an EPF office. Do not trust messages offering Account 1 withdrawals for personal use or asking for a fee to process them.

If you have been scammed, call the 24-hour 997 line as soon as possible so the accounts involved can be blocked (Berita RTM, 6 Jul 2026). Suspicious messages can be checked with the Scam Message Checker.