i-Saraan Plus: Employer Guide to EPF Incentives for E-Hailing & P-Hailing Drivers in Malaysia

Many e-hailing and p-hailing drivers in Malaysia operate under the gig economy, where EPF contributions are not mandatory like traditional employees.

This creates a gap in long-term financial security.

i-Saraan Plus is a targeted EPF (KWSP) initiative designed to address this issue by encouraging voluntary retirement savings, supported by government incentives.

For employers and platform providers, understanding this scheme is important for driver retention, workforce stability, and employer branding.

What is i-Saraan Plus?

i-Saraan Plus is a voluntary EPF contribution scheme designed specifically for:

E-hailing drivers
P-hailing riders (delivery services)

E-hailing refers to drivers who provide transport services for passengers using mobile apps, such as Grab.

P-hailing refers to riders who provide delivery services for food, parcels, or goods, using platforms like GrabFood.

Both groups are part of the gig economy, where workers typically:

Do not have fixed monthly salaries
Work based on flexible schedules
Do not receive mandatory EPF contributions

i-Saraan Plus allows these gig workers to contribute to their retirement savings while receiving government incentives of up to 20% annually.

Unlike traditional EPF contributions, this scheme is:

Flexible based on driver income
Supported by government incentives
Facilitated through service providers or platforms

Key Benefits of i-Saraan Plus

Government Incentive (Up to RM600 per Year)

Participants receive:

20% incentive from the government
Maximum of RM600 per year

Example:

If a driver contributes RM3,000 annually, they can receive RM600 as a government incentive.

The lifetime incentive is capped at RM6,000 or until the participant reaches age 60.

Annual EPF Dividends

Savings under i-Saraan Plus:

Earn annual EPF dividends
Continue growing for long-term retirement planning

Death Assistance

Participants are eligible for death benefits, subject to EPF terms and conditions.

Tax Relief

Voluntary contributions may qualify for tax relief under LHDN, depending on current policies.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for i-Saraan Plus, individuals must:

Be Malaysian citizens
Be below 60 years old
Be active EPF members
Be registered under i-Saraan
Work as:
- E-hailing drivers (e.g. Grab)
- P-hailing riders (e.g. GrabFood)

Important: Contributions must be made through the service provider platform to qualify for incentives.

Employer’s Role in i-Saraan Plus

For employers and platform providers, i-Saraan Plus introduces a structured responsibility.

Employers are required to:

Facilitate EPF contributions on behalf of drivers
Submit payments via i-Akaun (Majikan)
Ensure contributions are properly recorded

This process enables drivers to qualify for the 20% government incentive.

Contribution Structure

Contributions are made via service providers (i-Akaun Employer)
Drivers can also top up through voluntary EPF channels

This allows participants to maximise both savings and incentives.

Contribution Limits

Type	Amount
Minimum	RM1
Maximum	RM100,000 per year

The maximum includes total voluntary contributions across:

i-Saraan
i-Saraan Plus
i-Suri
i-Simpan
Retirement savings top-ups

How Employers Can Implement i-Saraan Plus

Step 1: Ensure Driver Registration

Drivers must first be registered under the i-Saraan programme.

Step 2: Enable Contributions via Platform

Integrate EPF contribution processes into your platform or payment system
Submit contributions through i-Akaun (Majikan)

Step 3: Educate Drivers

Employers should:

Clearly communicate the benefits of i-Saraan Plus
Encourage consistent contributions
Promote long-term financial planning among drivers

Why i-Saraan Plus Matters for Employers

i-Saraan Plus is more than just a voluntary contribution scheme.

For employers, it helps to:

Improve driver retention in a competitive gig market
Strengthen employer branding and platform trust
Support financial wellbeing of drivers
Contribute to long-term workforce sustainability

Providing structured financial support can be a strong differentiator when attracting and retaining drivers.

Key Considerations for Employers

Before implementing i-Saraan Plus, employers should:

Ensure systems are ready for contribution processing
Align with EPF requirements and guidelines
Coordinate with finance or operations teams
Monitor contribution consistency

i-Saraan Plus offers a practical solution to support gig workers who do not receive traditional EPF contributions.

For employers, it presents an opportunity to enhance workforce stability, improve retention, and strengthen overall employer value proposition in the gig economy.

Want to Support Better Financial Planning?

Employers can further support drivers by providing access to EPF calculators to help them estimate contributions and plan their savings more effectively.

FAQs

Is i-Saraan Plus mandatory for employers?

No, i-Saraan Plus is a voluntary scheme. However, employers or platform providers play an important role in facilitating contributions so that drivers can qualify for government incentives.

Can drivers contribute on their own without the platform?

Yes, drivers can make voluntary EPF contributions through existing channels. However, to qualify for the i-Saraan Plus incentive, contributions must be made through the service provider platform.

What happens if contributions are not made through the platform?

Drivers may still save under EPF, but they may not qualify for the 20% government incentive under i-Saraan Plus.

Can employers contribute more to help drivers maximise incentives?

Yes, employers can encourage or facilitate higher contributions. Drivers can also top up their savings to maximise the annual RM600 incentive.

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