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A guide to the details of the onboarding arrangement, including things to note, schemes to be supported, technical specifications, and more.
Hong Kong’s eMPF Platform is set to launch on 26 June 2024. Once it begins operation, all MPF schemes will join the platform one by one throughout the 18-month onboarding schedule.
Upon the onboarding of a scheme to the eMPF Platform, the administration of the scheme will be performed by the eMPF Platform, including enrolling in MPF schemes, making MPF contributions, consolidating MPF accounts, managing MPF portfolios, reviewing investment performance and more. Participating employers and scheme members of the scheme are immediately required to manage their MPF accounts through the eMPF Platform and submit their MPF administration instructions to the platform for processing.
Ahead of the launch of the eMPF Platform, Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) has shared a set of frequently asked questions to help employers better understand the platform and the onboarding arrangement.
Q: Is it compulsory for employers and scheme members to register with the eMPF Platform in order to manage their MPF accounts?
Upon onboarding of an MPF scheme to the eMPF Platform, all employers and scheme members of the scheme are required to register with the eMPF Platform to obtain an eMPF ID and user credentials for future logins to the eMPF Platform to manage their MPF accounts electronically.
MPFA strongly recommends employers and scheme members to manage their MPF accounts through digital means. However, employers and scheme members, if they prefer, can still submit their MPF related instructions to the eMPF Platform in paper form via different means (e.g. by post, fax, email to designated contact address or number, or in person to drop-in box at any of the eMPF Service Centres).
Q: Can I continue to submit MPF administration instructions and forms to my trustee after the scheme is onboarded to the eMPF Platform?
All employers and members have to submit MPF administration instructions to the eMPF Platform after their participating scheme is onboarded to the eMPF Platform. You should no longer submit your instructions to your trustees.
Q: When should I start managing my MPF accounts through the eMPF Platform?
You should start managing your MPF accounts through the eMPF Platform from the date on which the MPF scheme that you are participating in onboarding to the eMPF Platform. You may find the onboarding schedule of the schemes on the eMPF website.
Q: Will the existing MPF accounts of my employees who are under employment be transferred to the eMPF Platform, or do I need to create accounts for those employees again on the eMPF Platform?
The existing MPF accounts of your employees who are under employment will be transferred from trustees’ systems to the eMPF Platform. Employers do not need to create MPF accounts for those employees again on the Platform.
Q: When and how will I know if my MPF scheme is onboarded to the eMPF Platform? What should I pay attention to?
A communication pack with a “Notice to participating Employers and Scheme Members of the Scheme” will be sent by the trustee to the scheme participating employers and members before the onboarding of the MPF scheme.
The onboarding date of the MPF scheme and important information about onboarding, such as the cut-off date for trustee/sponsor to receive MPF administration instructions, will be provided in the notice. You may also refer to the onboarding schedule of the schemes on the eMPF website.
Please contact your trustee/sponsor of the participating MPF scheme for the information, if you have not received the communication pack two months before the scheme onboarding date.
Q: Will the employer account number remain unchanged after the MPF scheme in which my company is participating is onboarded to the eMPF Platform? If a new account number will be assigned, how can I get such information?
A new employer account number will be assigned after the MPF scheme in which your company is participating is onboarded to the eMPF Platform. Employer can log in to the eMPF Platform, and then choose “Manage Scheme” > “Manage Enrolled Scheme” to view the list of enrolled schemes and related account information.
Alternatively, you can call the eMPF Customer Service Hotline at 183 2622 or visit any of the eMPF Service Centres to obtain the updated account number after the relevant scheme is onboarded to the eMPF Platform.
Q: What are the service hours of the eMPF Platform? Can the eMPF Platform be used outside Hong Kong?
The eMPF Platform is provided in the form of web portal and mobile application and operates on a 24/7 basis. Given the appropriate configurations and setting of the users’ devices, the eMPF Platform can be operated regardless of geographic locations.
Q: Will the eMPF Platform support Industry Schemes and ORSO schemes?
All MPF schemes, including Industry Schemes, will be onboarded to the eMPF Platform according to the onboarding schedule.
However, only MPF schemes will be onboarded to the eMPF Platform. ORSO trustees/administrators can make use of the eMPF Platform to transfer benefits from ORSO schemes to MPF schemes. Other than that, ORSO scheme administration will not be supported by the eMPF Platform.
Q: I want to continue using my company’s payroll system after the eMPF Platform is launched. Do I need to sign up for the technical specifications now or wait until the MPF scheme in which my company is participating onboards to the eMPF Platform?
You are encouraged to sign up to obtain the technical specifications earlier in order to ensure adequate lead time to complete the development/enhancement works and all the necessary testing of your payroll system before the MPF scheme in which your company is participating onboards to the eMPF Platform.
Lead image / MPFA website
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