To make it more convenient for senior citizens to withdraw the allocated funds of government, the Social Security Fund (abbreviated to FSS in Macao) last year introduced the “Registration of Automatic Withdrawal of Funds for the Special Allocation from Budget Surplus of the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund System” measure.  There are 54,000 senior citizens who have registered and are eligible for the automatic payment this year.  They will receive the payment on 21st August without the need to go through any formalities, and they will be notified by mobile text message or by mail at the end of July.   

The FSS held a press conference today (28th July) to announce the arrangements for the fund withdrawal of the special allocation from this year's budget surplus.  There are approximately 74,000 account owners who are eligible for fund withdrawal this year, of which 54,000 have already registered for automatic withdrawal of funds last year and meet the following three eligibility requirements for automatic payment at the same time, and they will automatically receive the payment:

1. The person must have been included in the list of special allocation from budget surplus announced this year;
2. The person must have provided the proof of life on or before 30th June this year;
3. The person has not withdrawn the funds from his/her central provident fund individual account.

At the end of July, the FSS will send a mobile text message or notification letter according to the wish of the elderly concerned at the time of registration, and the special allocation from this year’s budget surplus, 7,000 patacas, together with any interest will be automatically deposited in the bank account that the elderly is receiving old-age or disability pension on 21st August.  If necessary, senior citizens may also check whether they are eligible for automatic payment through the self-service machine or from the website (www.fss.gov.mo/en/eservice/r4).

For the remaining 20,000 persons eligible for fund withdrawal (senior citizens aged 65 or above and are not eligible for automatic payment/under 65 years old but have been receiving disability pension from the FSS for more than one year/currently receiving special disability subsidy from the Social Welfare Bureau), they will start to receive the fund withdrawal notification in early August, and they may apply for withdrawal of funds through a self-service machine or by visiting the following service points:

1. FSS’s temporary office at Tap Seac;
2. Macao Government Services Centre at Areia Preta (Social Security Affairs and Social Integrated Affairs Service Area);
3. Macao Government Services Centre in Islands (Social Security Affairs and Social Integrated Affairs Service Area);
4. Six Public Services Centres under Municipal Affairs Bureau:

• Northern District Public Services Centre (Toi San Station);
• Northern District Public Services Centre  (Fai Chi Kei Station);
• Central District Public Services Centre (Complexo da Rotunda de Carlos da Maia);
• Central District Public Services Centre (São Lourenço Station);
• Islands District Public Services Centre (Rua da Ponte Negra, Bairro Social da Taipa);
• Islands District Public Services Centre (Seac Pai Van Station).

If a person eligible for fund withdrawal files an application during the period from August to September, the funds will be deposited in his/her designated bank account on 21st October.  If the person has not registered for automatic withdrawal of funds, he/she may also register at the time he/she applies for fund withdrawal.

The FSS also reiterated that the special allocation from budget surplus had been paid for 11 years and it is not a temporary financial aid measure.  Under normal circumstances, a person can only apply for withdrawal of funds from his/her central provident fund individual account at the age of 65.

The FSS representatives who attended the press conference included Ieong Iun Lai, Head of Department of Central Provident Fund System, and Ho Hoi Sang, Head of Division of General Affairs of Provident Fund System.