{
  "id": 18412876,
  "title": "Nearly half of older Malaysians expect to keep working",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/nearly-half-of-older-malaysians-expect-to-keep-working",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/11/06/nearly-half-of-older-malaysians-expect-to-keep-working"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nearly half of Malaysians surveyed anticipate continuing their careers past the traditional retirement age, sparking discussions on financial readiness and the reality of a satisfying post-career life. Historically, retirement symbolized the culmination of years of work, granting individuals the chance to step away from professional duties and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. However, for a significant portion of Malaysians, retiring may not entail quitting work entirely. According to a RinggitPlus survey released on October 22, 45.6% of participants expect to maintain some form of employment after reaching retirement age, whether part-time or without a complete exit from the workforce. The online survey, encompassing 3,005 Malaysian adults, revealed that 38.7% expected to take up part-time work after retirement, while 12.9% predicted they would never retire fully. An additional 6% selected both possibilities, illustrating the diverse perspectives on future working arrangements. While these results imply a shift in conventional retirement notions, they do not determine whether respondents anticipate work due to financial need, personal satisfaction, or a mix of both. Financial stability during later years hinges on how Malaysians view their retirement savings. The survey indicated that 48% considered their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) as a primary source, while 44% relied on personal savings or investments outside the fund. Other potential income streams included rental or property earnings (18%) and financial assistance from children (14%). EPF's \"Belanjawanku\" expenditure guide offers benchmarks for estimating the financial requirements for varying lifestyles at age 60: RM390,000 for essential needs, RM650,000 for a decent retirement income, and RM1.3 million for enhanced financial security. The basic savings benchmark is being introduced incrementally, starting at RM270,000 this year and reaching RM390,000 by 2030. EPF estimates that an elderly individual in the Klang Valley needs roughly RM2,690 per month to maintain a reasonable standard of living. For many, working beyond retirement age can be a positive choice, allowing them to remain engaged professionally, pursue passions, or bolster an already comfortable income. However, financial strain could render this option unfeasible for a substantial number of Malaysians.",
  "summary": "Recent research suggests many anticipate earning an income beyond retirement age, raising questions about financial preparedness and changing expectations of later life.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}