Pension reform, capital markets and corporate governance in Malaysia

Abstract

The main retirement benefit scheme for private sector employees in Malaysia is a 50‐year‐old mandatory savings scheme administered by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). It had accumulated assets equal to 55 per cent of GDP in 1999; making it one of the largest such schemes in the world. Over the past 40 years, it has earned a real rate of return of 3.37 per cent per annum on its portfolio. The key question is whether the EPF can sustain even this moderate rate of return in the aftermath of the 1997 economic crisis and in the era of globalisation. The paper argues that this will require reforms in financial and capital markets, better corporate governance and modest international diversification of the EPF's portfolio. Development of appropriate annuity products will also be required to protect members against the longevity risk.

Citation

Asher, M.G. (2001), "Pension reform, capital markets and corporate governance in Malaysia", Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 30-37. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb025059