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Applying for SSPN-i (Education Savings) in Malaysia

Open Malaysia's national education savings account, claim up to RM8,000/year in tax relief, and grow your child's education fund with government-backed dividends.

Minimum Deposit

RM20

Time to Open

~15 min online

Difficulty

Easy

Tax Relief

Up to RM8,000/yr

What is SSPN-i?

SSPN-i (Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional-i) is Malaysia's national education savings scheme, operated by PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional). It is a Shariah-compliant savings product designed to help families save for their children's education from an early age.

The account can be opened for yourself or in a child's name. The key benefit that makes SSPN-i attractive — beyond the savings habit — is the RM8,000 annual tax relief on net deposits, which is a standalone relief category and does not eat into your EPF, life insurance, or PRS reliefs.

Tax relief example: If you deposit RM8,000 into SSPN-i in a tax year and make no withdrawals, you reduce your chargeable income by RM8,000. At a marginal tax rate of 20%, that is a RM1,600 tax saving — effectively a 20% guaranteed return before dividends.

SSPN-i vs SSPN-i Plus

Feature	SSPN-i	SSPN-i Plus
Product type	Pure savings	Savings + takaful
Tax relief (net deposit)	Up to RM8,000/yr	Up to RM8,000/yr
Insurance coverage	None	Education takaful coverage included
Annual fee	Free	Takaful contribution deducted from savings
Best for	Maximising savings and flexibility	Parents wanting life/CI coverage alongside savings

This guide covers SSPN-i (the pure savings product). The application process for SSPN-i Plus is similar but requires additional takaful-related declarations.

Documents Required

Online: You only need digital copies (photo or scan). For counter applications, bring originals.

For the account holder / depositor

MyKad (IC) — Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above. PR holders and foreigners are not eligible to open an account.
Mobile phone number — for OTP verification during online registration.
Email address — for account confirmation and e-statements.
Bank account details — for linking to auto-debit (optional but recommended for regular contributions).

If opening for a child (account in child's name)

Child's birth certificate (Sijil Kelahiran) — or MyKad if the child is 12 and above.
Parent/guardian's MyKad — as the depositor and next-of-kin.
Relationship proof — birth certificate already establishes this; adoption papers if applicable.

Note: The depositor (parent/guardian who makes the deposits) is the one who claims the tax relief — not the child in whose name the account is held.

Step-by-Step: Open SSPN-i Online

The fastest way to open an SSPN-i account is through the PTPTN eSPPN portal or the PTPTN mobile app. The process takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready.

Go to the PTPTN eSPPN portal
Visit the official PTPTN website and navigate to the SSPN-i section, or use the PTPTN app (available on Google Play and the App Store). Look for "Daftar SSPN-i" (Register SSPN-i).
Create a MyPTPTN account (if you don't have one)
Click "Daftar Ahli Baru" (New Member Registration). Enter your MyKad number, full name as per IC, date of birth, and mobile number. You will receive an OTP to verify your phone. Set a password and complete registration.
Log in and start the SSPN-i application
After logging in, click "Buka Akaun SSPN-i" (Open SSPN-i Account). Select whether the account is for yourself or for a child (Benefisiari).
Enter account holder details
Fill in the account holder's personal details — if for a child, enter the child's MyKad or birth certificate number, full name, and date of birth. The portal will link you as the depositor/parent.
Enter next-of-kin (waris) information
Provide the next-of-kin's full name, IC number, and their relationship to the account holder. This is required for all SSPN-i accounts.
Make the initial deposit (minimum RM20)
You will be directed to the payment page. Pay via FPX online banking (Maybank2u, CIMB Clicks, Public Bank, etc.), debit card, or credit card. The minimum is RM20. Your account is activated immediately upon payment.
Download your account confirmation
Once the deposit is processed, you will receive a confirmation email and can view your SSPN-i account number in the portal. Save this number — you will need it when claiming tax relief in your e-Filing form.
Set up auto-debit (optional but recommended)
Under account settings, link your bank account and set a monthly auto-debit amount (minimum RM20/month). This ensures consistent contributions without having to log in manually each month.

Account number format: Your SSPN-i account number will begin with your IC number. Keep it handy for tax filing — you will need to enter the account number and total net deposits when claiming your RM8,000 relief in Form BE.

Opening at a PTPTN Counter

If you prefer to open your account in person (or if you encounter issues with the online process), you can visit any PTPTN branch or PTPTN counter at participating banks and post offices.

Locate a PTPTN office or counter
PTPTN has branches in Kuala Lumpur (Headquarters, Jalan Tun Hussein Onn), Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and other state capitals. Counters are also available at selected Pos Malaysia offices and some bank branches. Check the PTPTN website for the full list.
Bring all required documents (originals)
Your MyKad, and child's birth certificate if applicable. No photocopies needed — the staff will scan originals at the counter.
Fill in the SSPN-i application form
The counter staff will give you a Borang Permohonan SSPN-i. Fill in personal details, beneficiary (account holder) info, next-of-kin, and your preferred contribution amount.
Make the initial deposit
Pay at least RM20 in cash, debit card, or cheque. Your account will be activated on the spot and you will receive a passbook or account confirmation slip.

Queue times: PTPTN counters can be busy during peak times (start of school year, tax season). For straightforward new account opening, the online process is much faster.

Costs & Tax Relief Breakdown

Account opening fee Free

Minimum initial deposit RM20

Minimum monthly contribution RM20/month

Maximum account balance RM150,000 per account

Annual management fee Free (SSPN-i)

Annual dividend (historical range) 3%–4% (tax-free)

Maximum tax relief per year RM8,000 (net deposits)

How the RM8,000 tax relief works

The tax relief is based on net deposits — total deposits minus total withdrawals in that tax year. This means if you deposit RM10,000 but withdraw RM3,000, your net deposit is RM7,000 (capped at RM8,000 max).

Annual Net Deposit	Marginal Rate 11%	Marginal Rate 19%	Marginal Rate 24%
RM2,000	RM220 saved	RM380 saved	RM480 saved
RM4,000	RM440 saved	RM760 saved	RM960 saved
RM8,000	RM880 saved	RM1,520 saved	RM1,920 saved

Important: The SSPN-i tax relief is a separate relief category (Skim SSPN-i). It does not reduce your EPF relief (RM4,000), life insurance relief (RM3,000), or PRS relief (RM3,000). You can claim all of them simultaneously.

Pro Tips

Open one account per child for maximum relief. Each depositor can claim up to RM8,000 per year across all their SSPN-i accounts. If you have three children, you can open three accounts — but the combined tax relief is still capped at RM8,000 total for you as the depositor.
Both parents can each claim RM8,000. If your spouse also opens a separate SSPN-i account for the same child and deposits independently, your spouse can also claim up to RM8,000 on their own tax return. You can both claim the full relief — just make sure each of you is the registered depositor for your own account.
Front-load deposits early in the year. To maximise the relief for a given tax year (YA), deposit RM8,000 in January rather than spreading it out. The funds start earning dividends sooner, and you lock in the full RM8,000 relief early.
Do not withdraw unless necessary. Any withdrawal reduces your net deposit for that year, reducing your claimable relief. If you absolutely need to withdraw, do it at the start of the following tax year to minimise the impact.
Check dividend rates before the year ends. PTPTN declares dividends for SSPN-i in December/January for the prior year. Funds deposited before 31 December are eligible for that year's dividend, so top up before year-end.
Keep your SSPN-i account number for tax filing. When filing Form BE on MyTax, you will enter your SSPN-i account number and the total net deposit under the "Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional" relief section. Log in to the PTPTN portal to get your exact deposit total for the year.
Use auto-debit to avoid missing contributions. Set up a standing instruction from your bank to SSPN-i. PTPTN's auto-debit via FPX runs reliably and you won't have to think about it each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tax relief for SSPN-i contributions?

You can claim up to RM8,000 per year in tax relief for net deposits into SSPN-i (total deposits minus withdrawals for the year). This is a standalone relief category separate from EPF and life insurance reliefs.

Can I open SSPN-i for myself (not just for children)?

Yes. You can open SSPN-i in your own name or in your child's name. Opening it in your child's name means the funds belong to them. Either way, the depositor (you) can claim the tax relief.

What is the minimum deposit for SSPN-i?

The minimum initial deposit is RM20, and the minimum monthly contribution is RM20. There is no maximum — you can deposit up to RM150,000 per account.

When can I withdraw from SSPN-i?

You can withdraw at any time for education-related purposes (tuition fees, accommodation, books, etc.) at any level from secondary school to tertiary. You can also make full or partial withdrawals for non-education purposes, though this affects your tax relief claim for that year.

What is the SSPN-i dividend rate?

SSPN-i dividends are declared annually by the government. Rates have historically ranged from 3% to 4% per year. The dividend is tax-free. Check the PTPTN website for the latest declared rate.

Can both parents claim SSPN-i tax relief?

Each depositor can claim relief on their own account. If both parents each open a separate SSPN-i account for the same child, each parent can claim up to RM8,000 relief on their own deposits independently.

Is SSPN-i the same as SSPN-i Plus?

SSPN-i Plus is a combined savings-and-takaful product that includes education insurance coverage in addition to savings. SSPN-i is the pure savings product. Both offer the same RM8,000 tax relief on net deposits.

What happens to the SSPN-i account when the child reaches adulthood?

When the beneficiary (account holder) turns 18, the account ownership transfers to them and they can manage it independently. The funds remain available for education use or can be withdrawn for any purpose once the beneficiary is an adult.

How do I claim SSPN-i tax relief in my e-Filing?

Log in to MyTax (mytax.hasil.gov.my), go to Form BE, and look for the relief section labelled "Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional" under individual reliefs. Enter your SSPN-i account number and the total net deposit for the year. You can find your deposit history by logging into the PTPTN portal (mysspn.com.my).

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Tax relief amounts, dividend rates, and PTPTN policies are subject to change. Verify current details at ptptn.gov.my and consult a licensed tax agent for advice specific to your situation.