OALA review and pre-application self-check checklist (2026)

What is the OALA review?

The OALA has a periodic review; the SWD asks recipients to declare updated assets and income. The logic mirrors the first application: assets and income must still be within the 2026 limits (single asset ~HK$415,000, couple ~HK$630,000; monthly income HK$10,900 single, HK$16,680 couple). In other words, passing the first test only means you qualified at that moment — if your situation later changes, the review re-checks against the latest figures. Exempt items like insurance cash value remain exempt at review, but undrawn cash, deposits and stocks are still counted. To understand the allowance's eligibility and amounts first, see the OALA eligibility and amounts; for which items are exempt, the asset-test exemptions give a fuller picture.

The review and limits follow the latest Social Welfare Department announcements.

Most common reasons for exceeding the limit

• Bank deposits accumulating (including interest), creeping toward the limit over time.
• A lump-sum MPF withdrawal at 65 turning a non-counted pension into counted cash.
• Appreciation of stocks, funds and other investments above their value at application.
• Holding or inheriting non-owner-occupied property, whose value is counted.
• New income sources (e.g. rental property, annuity payouts) raising monthly income.

Honest declaration is the basis; this is not a way around the test. To see how government-level retirement support fits together, see government retirement income.

Counted vs exempt assets at a glance

The easiest mistake at review is confusing which items are counted as assets. The table below organises the general treatment by the categories mentioned in this article, so you can check them one by one. Actual calculation and the latest classification still follow the Social Welfare Department.

The table is a general guide only; individual cases and the latest classification follow the latest Social Welfare Department announcements. For how annuities and insurance affect eligibility, see how annuities and insurance affect OALA.

Pre-application / pre-review self-check checklist

• Bank: list cash and deposit balances across all accounts.
• Investments: latest market value of stocks, funds, bonds.
• MPF: withdrawn? Any withdrawn amount is a counted asset.
• Property: separate owner-occupied (exempt) and non-owner-occupied (counted).
• Insurance: confirm the cash value of existing policies (exempt).
• Income: rent, annuity, pension and other monthly income.
• Couple: combine both parties' assets and income.

Use the GovHK Social Security Allowance eligibility calculator for an initial estimate; eligibility follows the latest Social Welfare Department announcements.

Principles for preparing before review

The review is about honestly reflecting your latest situation, not moving assets at the last minute. Rather than scrambling before the deadline, treat it as an annual financial check-up in three steps — 'review your situation → organise honestly → prepare documents' — so your declaration is accurate and well-documented.

1. Review your situationGo through the checklist above item by item, noting the latest figures for each bank account, investment, withdrawn MPF, property and insurance, and flag any major change in the past year (e.g. withdrew MPF, sold or inherited property).
2. Organise honestlyList counted and exempt items separately, and combine both parties for couples. If your asset structure has changed, reflect it honestly — never move assets or fabricate transactions to pass the review.
3. Prepare documentsGather bank statements, investment statements, property and insurance documents in advance so your declaration matches your evidence; consult a licensed professional if needed, or see how we help you organise your overall retirement cash flow.

General education only, not personalised advice; eligibility and review follow the latest Social Welfare Department announcements.