Employee Choice Arrangement (ECA): Rules and Process
The ECA lets employees move the employee-mandatory portion from current employment to an MPF scheme of their choice once per calendar year; the employer-mandatory portion is excluded.
Last updated: 2026-10-21
What is the ECA?
Introduced in 2012, the Employee Choice Arrangement lets employees transfer the accrued benefits from their own employee mandatory contributions in current employment to a personal account in an MPF scheme of their choice, once per calendar year. The employer mandatory portion is not covered and stays in the employer's scheme. Often called “half portability” in everyday Chinese.
General process
1. Check the transferable amount (the employee-mandatory portion).
2. Open a personal account in the receiving scheme if needed.
3. Submit a transfer request via the eMPF Platform or as the trustee instructs.
4. Confirm the fund choice in the new account; without a choice, benefits generally go into the DIS.
Facts to note
• Only one ECA transfer per calendar year.
• Whether employee voluntary contributions can move depends on scheme rules.
• Assets may be out of the market during the transfer.
• You can view fees and fund ranges side by side on our scheme pages.
MPF Full Portability · Transfer guide · Scheme data comparison · MPFA
FAQ
Does the ECA cover employer contributions?
No. The ECA covers only the current employee-mandatory portion. Eligible employees should also see Full Portability Phase 1 (target 21 Dec 2026, pending LegCo), which can additionally cover the employer-mandatory portion.
How often can I use the ECA?
Once per calendar year.