Group 1 - The Hong Kong government is cautious about allowing citizens to withdraw Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions for first-time home purchases, as it may undermine the integrity of the MPF system and its purpose of providing retirement savings [1][2] - The MPF is designed as a long-term investment to accumulate value over a member's working life, and early withdrawals could lead to a loss of accumulated benefits [1][2] - The Financial Secretary emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of the impact on retirement savings if members are allowed to withdraw MPF contributions for property purchases [2] Group 2 - The current mandatory contribution rate for MPF in Hong Kong is relatively low compared to other countries, and relaxing withdrawal requirements may hinder the MPF's ability to provide basic retirement protection [2] - Real estate investment carries higher risks than MPF fund investments, and using MPF for property purchases could diminish the advantage of risk diversification within the MPF system [2] - The demand for the Elderly Mortgage Scheme has increased since its launch in 2011, with over 8,200 applications approved as of April this year, and the number of approvals in 2024 has risen by approximately 30% year-on-year [2]
许正宇：容许市民以强积金供款首次置业 将难达退休储蓄目的
智通财经网·2025-05-07 11:28