Scheme $6,000

[4] Under pressure to use the money to do more for the elderly and the poor, Financial Secretary John Tsang announced in the 2011–2012 budget on 23 February 2011 a scheme modelled from the 2008–2009 financial year, whereby HK$6,000 were to be deposited into the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) account of every Hong Kong resident whose average monthly income is less than HK$10,000, in a bid to strengthen the public post-retirement prospect.

[5] Dissatisfaction over the proposal led to public criticism and a series of complaints, including the charge that "遠水不能救近火" (Water from afar cannot extinguish fires), along with concern over high MPF management fees.

[6] Bipartisanship pressures from members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong called for a modification of the proposal to make direct cash payment to the public, similar to the Wealth Partaking Scheme operated by the Government of Macau since 2008.

All persons age 18 or over on 31 March 2012, and hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card issued on or after 23 June 2003 are eligible to register.

[13][14] Anyone registering through local banks must hold a Hong Kong dollar savings or current account in their sole name.

[17] The Hong Kong government announced a similar program called the "Caring and Sharing Scheme" in March 2018.

[18] The Hong Kong government announced a similar program called the "Cash Payout Scheme" in February 2020.