i-Saraan Plus is KWSP (EPF)'s newest voluntary savings scheme, built specifically for Malaysians who drive or deliver through e-hailing and p-hailing platforms like Grab, Foodpanda, Lalamove, and AirAsia Ride. Unlike salaried staff, gig drivers don't get EPF deducted automatically every month, so this scheme exists to nudge more of that income into retirement savings, with the government topping up whatever a driver puts in. Contribute under i-Saraan Plus and the government matches a slice of it every year, up to a set cap. Here's exactly who qualifies, how much actually gets matched, and how to sign up.
What Is i-Saraan Plus
i-Saraan Plus builds on the older i-Saraan scheme, which has existed since 2024 for self-employed Malaysians and informal workers generally. Budget 2026 introduced i-Saraan Plus as a dedicated track for e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, with a richer government match than the original.
Under the scheme, a driver's own voluntary EPF contributions get matched by the government at a set rate, credited straight into the driver's EPF account. It isn't cash-in-hand or a loan — the incentive lands inside retirement savings, alongside the annual dividend KWSP pays on all balances.
i-Saraan Plus is part of a wider set of EPF changes in 2026, and one of several money rules that quietly changed for gig drivers and migrant workers in Malaysia this year, alongside new SOCSO rules under the Gig Workers Act 2025.
Who's Eligible
To qualify for i-Saraan Plus, a driver needs to tick these boxes:
- Malaysian citizen
- Aged 16 to 60
- Registered as an EPF member
- Actively working as a driver or delivery rider through a registered e-hailing or p-hailing platform, such as Grab, Foodpanda, Lalamove, InDrive, or AirAsia Ride
There's no requirement to drive full-time, kan — part-timers and side-hustlers driving after their day job fall under the same criteria, as long as the platform cooperates with KWSP on i-Saraan Plus registration.
Drivers already contributing under the older i-Saraan scheme can generally move to i-Saraan Plus once they qualify as e-hailing or p-hailing workers, since both are rate tracks under the same voluntary contribution facility.
How to Apply
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Check that a chosen platform is registered with KWSP for i-Saraan Plus. Grab, Foodpanda, and several other major e-hailing and p-hailing operators are confirmed as participating partners.
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Register through the platform's driver app where that option is available, or head to the nearest KWSP branch and ask to be registered specifically under the i-Saraan Plus category, not the older i-Saraan.
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Bring a MyKad for in-person registration at a KWSP branch or Self-Service Terminal. No other documents should be needed, since eligibility rests on citizenship, age, and platform work status.
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Set a contribution amount. Drivers registering through a platform typically have contributions deducted directly from earnings at a rate they choose; there's no fixed minimum, though contributing more raises how much gets matched later.
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Track contributions and matching through the KWSP i-Akaun app or web portal — the same place to check KWSP balance, nomination, and i-Invest status.
A caveat worth being upfront about: KWSP has confirmed the eligibility rules and matching structure for i-Saraan Plus, but the exact in-app registration flow for every platform may still be rolling out through 2026. Drivers unsure whether their platform already supports i-Saraan Plus sign-up should check directly with KWSP or their platform's driver-support channel before assuming it's live.
How Much EPF Actually Matches
The government matches 20% of a driver's total voluntary contributions for the year, up to a maximum of RM600 annually.
To hit that RM600 ceiling, a driver needs to contribute at least RM3,000 across the year under i-Saraan Plus, roughly RM250 a month, though contributions don't need to be spread evenly. Contribute RM1,000 in a year and the match works out to RM200. Contribute RM2,000 and it's RM400. Contribute RM3,000 or more and the match caps out at RM600 for that year.
There's also a lifetime ceiling: total government matching under i-Saraan Plus tops out at RM6,000, or once the driver turns 60, whichever comes first.
That's a step up from the original i-Saraan, which matches 20% up to RM500 a year and RM5,000 for life. Informal workers who aren't e-hailing or p-hailing drivers stay on that older track; i-Saraan Plus is the richer version reserved for platform drivers. Matched amounts get credited into the driver's EPF account, boleh check the breakdown anytime via i-Akaun.
FAQ
Is i-Saraan Plus the same as i-Saraan?
No. i-Saraan Plus is a separate track under the same voluntary contribution facility, reserved for e-hailing and p-hailing drivers. It offers a higher yearly match (RM600 versus RM500) and a higher lifetime cap (RM6,000 versus RM5,000) than the original i-Saraan, which stays open to self-employed and informal workers generally.
How much does EPF match for gig drivers under i-Saraan Plus?
KWSP matches 20% of a driver's total voluntary contributions in a year, up to RM600 annually, with a lifetime cap of RM6,000 or until age 60, whichever comes first.
Do I need to be registered with a specific platform to qualify?
A driver needs to be actively working through a registered e-hailing or p-hailing platform that cooperates with KWSP, such as Grab or Foodpanda. Being an EPF member, a Malaysian citizen, and aged between 16 and 60 round out the core requirements.
Can I switch to i-Saraan Plus if I already contribute under i-Saraan?
Drivers already on the older i-Saraan scheme who work through an eligible e-hailing or p-hailing platform can generally move to the i-Saraan Plus track. Confirm directly with KWSP or the driver-support channel of the platform for the current process, since rollout details continue to be finalised through 2026.
When did i-Saraan Plus start?
i-Saraan Plus was announced under Budget 2026 (Belanjawan MADANI 2026) in October 2025, with the scheme intended to take effect from 2026. Drivers should check the official KWSP i-Saraan Plus page for the latest confirmation on rollout status with their specific platform. Coverage from Malay Mail and RinggitPlus has the Budget 2026 announcement details.
