How to Withdraw Your MPF in Hong Kong

If you live and work in Hong Kong, chances are you’re covered by the city-state’s mandatory provident fund (MPF), a privately managed and structured savings scheme in which employers and employees are required to make contributions to the employee’s MPF account.

The MPF helps working citizens, residents, and eligible expats in the special administrative region (SAR) save for their retirement through a suite of individual, employer-sponsored, as well as industry schemes.

Whether you need to withdraw early or are simply planning to withdraw upon retirement, this Pacific Prime Hong Kong article tells you what you need to do.

Early Withdrawal of MPF

There are many reasons why you may need to withdraw your MPF early. You may decide to retire early or depart Hong Kong permanently. Some may face terminal illness and death. All of the above reasons will influence your decision to withdraw your MPF early.

In any case, you’ll need to send a claim form to the trustee(s) of the relevant MPF scheme(s) and attach supporting documents mentioned below. However, the exact administrative procedure and documents for making a claim will differ depending on your trustee.

You’ll also need to submit an original statutory declaration form to the trustee. If you need to make claims to multiple trustees, make sure that you prepare a declaration form for each of them.

Note: Ensure that each declaration form is signed and sealed (if applicable) by a person authorized to administer a statutory declaration. Once they’ve received all the documents, trustees are required to pay out the MPF within 30 days.

Here are the supporting documents depending on your category for early withdrawal:

Early Retirement

If you choose to retire early, after the age of 60 but before the age of 65, and have no intention of returning to employment or being self-employed, you’ll need:

An identification document such as a Hong Kong identification (ID) card
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of early retirement
A statutory declaration form

You can decide to withdraw your MPF in a lump sum or installments.

Permanent Departure from Hong Kong

For those who have departed Hong Kong or will depart from Hong Kong and have no intention of resettling in Hong Kong as a permanent resident or returning for employment, you’ll need:

An identification document such as a Hong Kong ID card
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of permanent departure from Hong Kong
A statutory declaration form
Documentary proof to show that you’re permitted to reside in a place outside Hong Kong

Total Incapacity

To qualify for early withdrawal of MPF under the condition of total incapacity, you’ll need to provide:

A medical certificate issued by a registered practitioner specifying that you’ve become permanently unfit to perform a particular kind of work of your previous jobs
An identification document such as a Hong Kong ID card
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of total incapacity

Terminal Illness

Similar to withdrawal under the condition of total incapacity, you’ll need to provide:

A medical certificate issued by a registered practitioner specifying that you have an illness that’s likely to reduce your life expectancy to 12 months or less
An identification document such as a Hong Kong ID card
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of a terminal illness

Small Balance

If you either have a balance of no more than HKD $5,000 in only one MPF scheme or you have not contributed for at least 12 months from the date of application, you can withdraw your MPF early. You’ll need to submit:

An identification document such as a Hong Kong ID card
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of a small balance
A statutory declaration form

Death

In the unfortunate event of your death, your MPF scheme will become a part of your estate, so it must be claimed by your representative or an Official Administrator. They’ll need to provide:

Their identification documents such as Hong Kong ID cards
A claim form for MPF payments on the grounds of death
A Letter of Administration or Probate

Withdrawal of MPF Upon Retirement

Upon reaching age 65, you’ll also be able to withdraw from the MPF scheme. You have one of three options:

To withdraw in installments;
To withdraw in one lump sum, or
To remain in the MPF scheme for continuous investments.

If you prefer to withdraw by installments, please note that trustees may have different policies and arrangements for this, so it’s best to contact your trustee or use the Trustee Service Comparative Platform to get more information.

If you do decide to withdraw your MPF, you should send a claim form to the trustee(s) of the relevant MPF scheme(s) and attach the following supporting documents:

Identification documents such as a Hong Kong ID card
A claim form for MPF payments on the ground of attaining the retirement age of 65

Get in Touch with Pacific Prime Hong Kong Today!

Pacific Prime Hong Kong has over two decades of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry, providing a range of solutions for locals, expats, and businesses alike. This includes retirement planning solutions such as the MPF.

If you have any questions or concerns, you’re more than welcome to get in touch. We take pride in our impartiality, knowledge of the industry, and service-mindedness.

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Eric Chung

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Hong Kong

Eric is an experienced content writer specializing in writing creative copies of marketing materials including social media posts, advertisements, landing pages, and video scripts.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.

Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.

Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.

Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.

How to Withdraw Your MPF in Hong Kong