BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  How to Overcome Malaysia’s Retirement Crisis

How to Overcome Malaysia’s Retirement Crisis

Geoffrey Williams, Economist

30-Jan-25 15:00

How to Overcome Malaysia’s Retirement Crisis

According to reports by Khazanah and EPF, most Malaysians do not have adequate retirement savings. As of 2024, only 36% of EPF members meet the current basic savings level of 240 000 at age 55. And that’s just basic savings that will allow you to survive from month to month for about 15 years post-retirement. 

So, are we in a retirement crisis? And what can we do about it?

We speak to Geoffrey Williams, who's an economist.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What are the markers that indicate that Malaysia is undergoing a retirement crisis.

  • The key factors driving the retirement crisis.

  • Impact of the crisis towards individuals on the ground and overall health of the economy.

  • The disparity between ethnic/racial communities and within, when it comes to retirement savings and what that tells us.

  • What can Malaysia learn from other countries in the region who are facing similar challenges.

  • A case for universal basic income, by a market economist.

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  economypoliticsgovernment

Tags:  retirement crisisretirementretirement savingsepfuniversal basic income





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

David Chow, Director of Investment at Azure Capital tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Christopher Wong, FX Strategist at OCBC shares his analysis on the 2026 commodities outlook.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dato' Foo Yong Hooi, President of Persatuan Agensi Pekerjaan Asing, explains why approved foreign worker quotas are not translating into actual worker arrivals.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Captain Cheah Sin Bi, CEO of Orkim Berhad discusses the company's evolution, listing exercise as well as its plans for the RM92 million it hopes to raise.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Alan Cheong, Executive Director, Savills Singapore gives us an outlook for Singapore's property market in 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Khor Yu Leng, economist from Segi Enam Advisers, discusses what the recent shifts in the palm oil industry mean for Malaysia.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) David Chow, Director of Investment at Azure Capital tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Poonam Goyal, Senior Retail & eCommerce Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, breaks down Nike’s leadership moves, strategic pivots, and what it will take to restore growth.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Ajoy Gopinath Prabhu, Symbiotica Specialty Ingredients

11:05 AM

P&L

Georg Chmiel, Chmiel Global Advisory

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Selangor’s proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy incinerator has sparked major community concern. Two residents explain the risks, the lack of official response, and why safer alternatives are needed.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Many of us put off sleep and spend the night in front of screens, but how exactly is it affecting our brain? Tune in to find out.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

We speak to a Palestinian theologist about how Western Christianity and colonialism shaped Palestine, and the traditions of interfaith tolerance and solidarity that continue to define its society.

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture