DEATH is an uncomfortable topic at the best of times, but when it comes to a lifetime of hard-earned savings, it is one worth confronting.
A viral post on Threads has sparked alarm among Malaysians who fear their EPF contributions will simply vanish into government coffers upon their passing.
Does the government really seize your EPF savings when you die?
Verdict:
FALSE
The government does not seize or take the EPF savings of a contributor who has passed away, according to a fact-check by MyCheck.my.
The claim originated from a post by a Threads user going by the handle @sitizulaikaaa_, who wrote that she did not consent to the government taking her hard-earned EPF savings upon her death.
The post, which was viewed by more than 45,000 Threads users, drew a wave of negative comments.
MyCheck.my found no evidence of any case in which the government had taken a contributor's EPF savings, and confirmed that the funds are instead channelled to the contributor's nominee or rightful heirs through a process known as a Death Withdrawal.
EPF is Malaysia's retirement savings scheme for employees, designed to help workers set aside money for use after retirement or in certain permitted circumstances.
As of Aug 31, 2025, EPF had 16.5 million members with total savings of RM1.31 trillion, a 9.9% increase from RM1.20 trillion in 2024, according to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.
According to EPF, a contributor's savings serve as a form of financial security for loved ones left behind, helping to ease financial burdens and cover funeral expenses.
If a contributor has named a nominee, that individual, who must be aged 18 or above, is responsible for receiving the savings.
The role of the nominee differs depending on the contributor's religion.
For Muslim contributors, the nominee acts as an administrator and is responsible for distributing the savings to heirs in accordance with faraid, the Islamic law of inheritance.
For non-Muslim contributors, the nominee may serve as the absolute beneficiary of the savings.
EPF also noted that for Muslim contributors, a nomination may be rendered void if the nominee does not submit an application within one year of the contributor's death or if the nominee is under 18 at the time of application.
Contributors who have not named a nominee need not worry either, as their savings can still be claimed by eligible parties depending on the contributor's marital status at the time of death.
For married contributors, eligible claimants include the widow or widower, children or guardians, the contributor's parents and the administrator of the deceased's estate.
For unmarried contributors, only parents, siblings (if the parents have passed away) and the estate administrator are eligible to apply.
In addition to the savings payout, EPF also provides a one-off Death Benefit payment of RM2,500 as a gesture of condolence to the eligible next of kin, namely the widow or widower, children or parents of the contributor, subject to the contributor's marital status.
EPF encourages all contributors to name a nominee so that their loved ones can claim the savings without difficulty.
References:
