You are required to contribute a minimum of 5% of your relevant income under an MPF scheme for the relevant contribution period required by the MPF Ordinance ; but you may also choose to contribute additional monies voluntarily even if your relevant income is less than HK$5,000 a month; or in respect of any income over HK$20,000.

How do I know that my employer has enrolled me in an MPF scheme and is making contributions for me?

• a notice of acceptance from the trustee within 30 days from your application for membership
• from the trustee, within 60 days after becoming a scheme member,
  - a document containing a general description of the scheme; and
  - a membership certificate as proof of your enrolment in the scheme
• monthly pay-record from the employer
• within three months after each financial year end, an annual benefit statement showing your accrued benefits as at financial year end

When you cease employment, irrespective of your length of service with the employer, you need to make a decision (except in certain situations as specified by the MPF Ordinance and the MPF Regulation from time to time) on the accrued benefits derived from mandatory contributions as to whether:

• retain the accrued benefits in the master trust scheme you are participating; or
• transfer the accrued benefits to another scheme, e.g. the new employer's scheme; or
• transfer the accrued benefits to an account in another master trust scheme of your own choice

How should I invest my MPF money?

Under the MPF system, you will be given the choice to select your own investment option for the MPF money you accumulated. Your investment strategy should therefore principally on :

Your Investment Objectives - How much money will you need for your retirement? Your objective should be to accumulate sufficient assets during your working years so that you can maintain your standard of living during retirement. Your Time Horizon - How long are you investing for? Your time horizon should reflect your life expectancy. On average, most people retire at age 65 will live another 15 years. Your Personal Risk Tolerance - How comfortable are you with short-term unrealized losses? Perceptions of risk vary from one person to another. However, a conservative strategy is unlikely to be appropriate in your early years, when you should invest for capital growth. Your Other Financial Resources - Do you have other assets? The status of your financial resources will have a large impact on your ability to exploit your freedom in investments. If your financial resources are sound, you may consider assuming a higher level of investment risk.

By investing in non-guaranteed funds, you should find that your contribution balance may fluctuate in the short term. However, over time, the balance will average out and will have time to grow, and your money will have time to compound.

Please visit our MPF@visor to understand more about your own risk tolerance level and some suggestions from our Mandatory Provident Fund.

When can I get my MPF accrued benefits?

Accrued benefits in respect of mandatory contributions will be preserved, and become payable in the events including when you:

reach the retirement age of 65 reach the age of 60 and retire early permanently depart from Hong Kong (only once in a lifetime) become totally incapacitated die have small balance account with accrued benefits of not exceeding HK$5,000 (providing that you have not made mandatory contributions to a scheme for the last 12 months and you do not have accrued benefits in other scheme)

You (or your personal representative) are required to complete the 'Claim Form for Payment of Accrued Benefits' and pass to your trustee.

How much will I get when I retire?

You will be paid a lump sum benefit equal to the employer and employee accrued benefits from your MPF scheme.

• To give you a rough idea of how much you will get at your retirement under the Mandatory Provident Fund scheme, simply visit our MPF Calculator.