it's 5.8, no more no less

5.8% ... no more no less

is the dividend EPF (Employee Provident Fund) members get for 2007.
(yah... i know every one also know, if it's got something to do with our $$, we ought to know, right )

There's a slight improvement on the quantum of increase from previous years.
The EPF dividend rate has been growing steadily since it hit a low of 4.25 in 2002.
Thereafter, the quantum of increases over the few years has been around 0.25 to 0.5 at most.

Crediting of the funds into members' accounts will be on 1/3/08.
Till then, remember to check and update your EPF accounts.

EPF to me plays a vital role in our retirement planning. Do not overlook this fund because no matter how little (or how much) we have now, it will accumulate, compound and grow as years pass.

So far, EPF has been making steady progress in term of implementation...
For instance

1. EPF contributors will be allowed to make monthly withdrawals for financing one house effective Jan 1, 2008

2. EPF unit trust investors need pay only 3% sales charge if using contributions to invest in unit trust.

Hopefully, there will be more implementations in the pipeline which will benefit the contributors.

If you ask me, I will say EPF has done a good job but there are still major rooms for improvement. We need to move forward in order not to move backward.
Enough said.