Self-Employed Persons and MPF: MPFA Writes to 5,000 New Registrants on Their Obligations

In November 2011 the MPFA took the initiative, writing to around 4,700 self-employed persons who had newly enrolled in MPF schemes over the previous six months, reminding them they must contribute regularly under the law, and enclosing a newly compiled leaflet on self-employed persons’ MPF rights and obligations.

What MPF obligations do self-employed persons have?

Anyone aged 18 to under 65 who earns income as a non-employee — whether a sole proprietor or a business partner — counts as a self-employed person and must open an MPF self-employed person’s account and contribute regularly. In November 2011 the MPFA rolled out letters, free seminars and proactive inspections to drive the message home.

A four-pronged publicity push

The measures: letters plus the new leaflet to the new registrants; free seminars via more than 300 unions and associations in sectors with many self-employed workers — transport, construction, securities brokerage, insurance and estate agency, beauty and Chinese medicine, retail — urging members to watch their MPF accounts and investments; seminars with the Employees Retraining Board and the Vocational Training Council for aspiring entrepreneurs; and continued regular outreach activities.

Enforcement: following up suspected defaults

Beyond publicity, the MPFA said it would work more closely with trustees to follow up suspected default cases among self-employed persons, including proactive inspections of suspected violators. The MPFA’s executive director (administration) said the system’s goal was to help Hong Kong’s working population build retirement savings through contributions from employers, employees and the self-employed alike — the self-employed must prepare for their own retirement too.

Reaching taxi and minibus drivers

On 22 and 24 November 2011, the MPFA joined taxi and minibus associations in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong and Mong Kok, urging professional drivers to pay attention to their MPF accounts and handing out the new leaflet and souvenirs. Self-employed persons can learn more at the MPF education hub.