How Inflation and the Exchange Rate Affect the Real Value of Pension Plan Systems: The Case of Malaysia

Abstract

This article explores how inflation and the exchange rate can affect the real value of any pension plan system in the long run. In our case, we focus on the specific pension plan system of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Nonetheless, we use a new model that is entitled “The EPF Real Value Box – EPFRV Box”. The EPFRV Box facilitates the graphical visualization of the inflation/exchange rate impact on the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). In essence, the EPFRV Box is applied to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) of Malaysia to evaluate the impact of inflation and exchange rates on the Malaysian EPF real value from 1980 to 2030. Finally, the main objective is to apply the EPFRV Box to extend the significance of the impact of inflation and the exchange rate on any pension plan system (in this case EPF) beyond mere theory, using them as practical instruments to solve retirement and pensioner problems.

Keywords: Inflation, Pension Plan System, Malaysia, EPF, Econographicology

JEL Classification: Y20