KUALA LUMPUR: The Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) is exploring investment opportunities in the longevity economy to help Malaysia prepare for an ageing population, particularly in healthcare, elderly care and technologies that enable older people to live independently.
KWAP Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jay Khairil Jeremy Abdullah said the growing elderly population would create new economic needs and investment opportunities, requiring long-term investment strategies that balance social benefits with sustainable financial returns.
“Good social objectives do not eliminate the need for investment discipline. Every opportunity must demonstrate commercial value and meet our established risk and return criteria,” he said.
Jay Khairil delivered his keynote address, Investing in Longevity: From Risks to Opportunities in an Ageing Society, at the National Conference on Ageing (NCA) 2026 here on Monday.
He said institutional investors such as KWAP could play a significant role in supporting the development of services, infrastructure and technologies to meet the needs of an ageing population while generating long-term value.
As part of these efforts, KWAP is exploring investment opportunities through its Dana Pemacu initiative, which supports the Government-Linked Companies Activation and Reform Programme (GEAR-uP) under the MADANI Economic Framework.
The targeted sectors include the silver economy and healthcare, particularly products and services designed to meet the needs of older people.
Jay Khairil said preparing for an ageing society also required better access to services for retirees through digital platforms and community-based assistance.
KWAP is working to improve its MyPesara platform while strengthening support for retirees within their communities.
“Technology makes many services more accessible. However, we must ensure it does not create new gaps. Some retirees are confident using applications, while others are more comfortable dealing with someone in person. Both groups deserve services suited to their needs,” he said.
He also highlighted KWAP’s collaboration with the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which began in 2017 and led to the development of the Strategic Retirement Agenda in 2024.
The three-day NCA 2026 is jointly organised by MyAgeing, UPM, Kendana Malaysia, KWAP and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The conference focuses on addressing inequalities and improving healthcare, social support and technology-based solutions for older people.
-AWANI
