Hong Kong (China): Pension system in 2020
The Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) system is an employment-based retirement protection system. Except for exempt persons, employees and self-employed persons who are at least 18 but under 65 years of age are required to join an MPF scheme. MPF schemes are, privately managed, fully funded defined contribution schemes.
Withdrawal of accrued benefits from the MPF System is allowed when scheme members reach the retirement age of 65.
Defined contribution
Employees and employers who are covered by the MPF System are each required to make regular mandatory contributions calculated at 5% of the employee’s relevant income to an MPF scheme, subject to the minimum and maximum relevant income levels. For a monthly paid employee, the minimum and maximum relevant income levels are HKD 7 100 and HKD 30 000 respectively.
Accrued benefits in the MPF System are withdrawn in a lump sum when scheme members reach the retirement age of 65.
For comparison with other economies, for replacement rate purposes the pension is shown as a price‑indexed annuity based on sex-specific mortality rates.
Targeted/Basic
The old-age allowance has two levels. Normal old age living allowance (Normal OALA) is means-tested and provided to those between 65 and 69. For a single person, the asset limit is HKD 365 000 and monthly income limit is HKD 10 330 (after which benefits are withdrawn). Limits for married couples are higher (HKD 554 000 and HKD 15 620, respectively). The full benefit is HKD 2 845 per month, which is about 14.6% of average earnings.
Higher older age living allowance (Higher OALA) is for those aged 70 and above. For a single person, the asset limit is HKD 159 000 and monthly income limit is HKD 10 330 (after which benefits are withdrawn). Limits for married couples are higher (HKD 241 000 and HKD 15 620, respectively). The full benefit is HKD 3 815 per month, which is about 19.6% of average earnings.
From 1 September 2022 the normal and higher old age allowances will be merged. The merged old age live allowance (OALA) will adopt the more relaxed asset limits of the Normal OALA and the payment rate of the Higher OALA, while the monthly income limits will remain unchanged.
Early retirement
For the MPF System, it is possible to withdraw the benefits from age 60 if ceasing employment permanently. However, the targeted/basic programme does not provide benefits until 65.
Late retirement
It is possible to combine working and receiving pension. For the MPF System, upon reaching age 65, if an individual continues to work, no further mandatory contributions will be required and the individual may withdraw the benefits derived from mandatory contributions.
Taxation of workers
Employees can claim tax deductions for their mandatory contributions made to an MPF scheme, to a maximum of HKD 18 000.
Any voluntary contributions made by employees are not tax deductible.
Taxation of worker’s income
The lower of the following two tax rules are applied. The first rule is described in the following tax schedule. This is applied to taxable income (after deduction and allowance). The basic allowance for a single person in 2020 is HKD 132 000.
Social security contributions payable by workers
The information of mandatory contributions made by employees and self-employed persons to the MPF System are provided in the section of “Defined contribution”.
Taxation of pensioners
There is no additional tax relief for pensioners.
Taxation of pension income
MPF benefits derived from mandatory contributions are not subject to tax on withdrawal (only lump sum withdrawal is allowed).
Social security contributions payable by pensioners
Pensioners do not pay any social security contributions.
Note: Real rate of return 3%, real earnings growth 1.25%, inflation 2%, and real discount rate 2%. All systems are modelled and indexed according to what is legislated. Transitional rules apply where relevant. DC conversion rate equal 90%. Labour market entry occurs at age 22 in 2020. Tax system latest available: 2020.
Source: OECD pension model.