Why Did Lee Cheuk-yan Back Raising the Minimum Contribution Threshold?

What did the trade unionist say in May 2011?

RTHK reported on 4 May 2011: legislator Lee Cheuk-yan welcomed raising the minimum contribution income threshold from HK$5,000 to HK$6,500 — earners below HK$6,500 needn’t contribute, benefiting about 180,000 workers. Lee said the current MPF couldn’t meet low earners’ long-term retirement needs, and the higher floor meant more take-home pay for those struggling.

What about the ceiling?

The government also proposed raising the maximum monthly contribution by a quarter to HK$1,250 — about 514,000 earners at HK$25,000-plus would pay an extra HK$250 monthly from the following June.

What’s the lesson for workers?

Exemption is relief, not a retirement plan — voluntary contributions still help; see MPF fund comparison.