📈 Unit Trust Fee Comparison Calculator Interactive

Compare the true cost of investing through a direct fund house, unit trust agent, or robo-advisor in Malaysia. See total fees paid, net portfolio value, and effective cost ratio over your investment period.

Your Investment Details

Investment Amount (RM)

Lump sum invested upfront

Expected Annual Return (%)

Gross return before fees. Malaysian equity funds average ~6–9% p.a. historically.

Investment Period (Years)

How long you plan to stay invested

Customise Fee Scenarios

Direct — Sales Charge (%)

Typical: 0–1% via EPF member investment scheme or fund house website

Direct — Annual Mgmt Fee (%)

Typical: 1.0–1.8% p.a. for active equity funds

Agent — Sales Charge (%)

Typical: 2–5.5% when buying via a licensed unit trust agent

Agent — Annual Mgmt Fee (%)

Same fund, same AMF — agents earn from the sales charge

Robo — Sales Charge (%)

Typically 0% for robo-advisors (StashAway, Wahed, Versa)

Robo — Annual Mgmt Fee (%)

Platform + fund fee: ~0.2–0.8% for robo-advisors

Enter your investment details and click Compare Scenarios to see results.

How fees erode returns: A 1% higher annual management fee may seem small, but over 20 years on a RM50,000 investment it can cost you more than RM30,000 in foregone compounding. The longer your horizon, the more critical it is to minimise recurring fees.

🇲🇾 Malaysian Context: PRS & EPF Investment

Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) — PRS funds are eligible for a tax relief of up to RM3,000 per year for contributions made by individuals below age 60. PRS management fees typically range from 0.5% to 1.8% p.a. For PRS, the sales charge is often 0–3%. PRS funds are regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia.

EPF Members Investment Scheme (EPF-i) — Members aged 55 and below may transfer a portion of their EPF Account 1 savings (up to 30% of the amount exceeding the Basic Savings threshold) into approved unit trust funds. Sales charges on EPF-invested funds are capped at 3% by EPF. This is a common entry point for Malaysians into unit trusts.

ASNB Funds (ASB, ASM, etc.) — Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad fixed-price funds (e.g. ASB) charge zero sales charge and zero management fee — dividends are declared annually. They are open to Bumiputera investors and offer different risk/return profiles from conventional unit trusts.

📊 Typical Fee Ranges in Malaysia (2025)

Channel	Sales Charge	Annual Mgmt Fee	Platform Fee	Examples
Fund House (Direct)	0–1%	1.0–1.8%	0%	Maybank AM, CIMB-Principal, Public Mutual website
Licensed Agent / IFA	2–5.5%	1.0–1.8%	0%	CIMB Wealth, Maybank branches, independent agents
Robo-Advisor	0%	0.2–0.8%	Included	StashAway, Wahed Invest, Versa, MyTHEO
PRS (any channel)	0–3%	0.5–1.8%	0%	Principal PRS Plus, Manulife PRS, CIMB PRS
ASNB (ASB/ASM)	0%	0%	0%	ASB, ASM (Bumiputera only for some)

* Fees quoted are indicative. Always check the fund's prospectus and product highlight sheet for exact charges.

💡 Tips to Reduce Unit Trust Fees

Buy direct from the fund house — online portals (e.g. FundSupermart, Kenanga, Maybank2u) often offer 0% sales charge promotions.
Negotiate the sales charge — licensed agents can sometimes reduce their upfront charge. It doesn't hurt to ask, especially for large investments.
Use EPF savings strategically — EPF-i sales charges are capped at 3%, but direct online applications may charge less.
Compare expense ratios, not just sales charges — a low sales charge with a high annual management fee can cost more over 10+ years than a moderate sales charge with a low AMF.
Consider PRS for tax savings — the RM3,000 annual tax relief on PRS contributions can effectively subsidise management fees for many investors.
Robo-advisors suit passive/diversified investing — lower fees and automatic rebalancing make them compelling for long-term, low-maintenance portfolios.
Read the product highlight sheet (PHS) — every licensed fund must publish a PHS showing all fees clearly. Always check before investing.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sales charge in unit trusts?

A sales charge (also called an upfront fee or entry fee) is deducted from your investment at the point of purchase. If you invest RM10,000 with a 3% sales charge, only RM9,700 actually goes into the fund. The remaining RM300 goes to the distributor (agent or fund house). Sales charges can be 0–5.5% depending on the channel.

What is an annual management fee (AMF)?

The AMF is charged by the fund manager as a percentage of the fund's net asset value (NAV) each year. It is deducted automatically from the fund, so you won't see a separate bill — but it directly reduces the NAV and therefore your returns. A 1.5% AMF on a RM50,000 portfolio costs RM750 in year one, growing as the portfolio grows.

Are robo-advisors regulated in Malaysia?

Yes. Digital investment managers (DIMs) like StashAway and Wahed are licensed and regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia under the Capital Markets and Services Act. They are required to act in investors' best interests as a fiduciary.

Can I use EPF to invest in unit trusts?

Yes — EPF members aged 55 and below may transfer eligible savings from Account 1 into SC-approved unit trust funds under the Members Investment Scheme. The amount transferable depends on your balance relative to the Basic Savings threshold for your age group. EPF caps the sales charge at 3% for participating funds.

Is PRS the same as EPF?

No. EPF (KWSP) is a statutory mandatory savings scheme. PRS (Private Retirement Scheme) is a voluntary supplementary retirement savings vehicle managed by licensed private fund managers. PRS contributions attract a personal tax relief of up to RM3,000 per year for individuals below 60. Both are regulated by different bodies (EPF by the EPF Act; PRS by the Securities Commission).

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Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Unit trust investments are subject to market risk and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the fund's prospectus and product highlight sheet before investing. Consult a licensed financial planner if in doubt.