Key Takeaways
- • On S$5,000.00 monthly wages at age 30 as a Citizen or 3rd-year-plus PR, your total CPF contribution is S$1,850.00/month — that's 37.00% of wages (employer + employee combined).
- • It splits into S$1,150.15 to your Ordinary Account, S$299.89 to your Special Account, and S$399.97 to MediSave each month.
- • That adds up to S$22,200.00 a year building your housing, retirement and healthcare savings.
Understanding CPF Contributions in Singapore
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is Singapore's comprehensive social security system that helps Singaporeans and Permanent Residents save for retirement, healthcare, and housing. Both employers and employees make monthly contributions, which are allocated to three accounts based on the member's age.
From 1 January 2026, CPF contribution rates for employees aged 55 to 65 have been increased to strengthen retirement adequacy. The allocation rates are designed to balance immediate needs (housing) with long-term security (retirement and healthcare).
Accurate for 2026
Age-graduated contribution rates, the S$8,000 wage ceiling, and PR graduated rates — all verified against the CPF Board.
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CPF Contribution Rates by Age (2026)
Total rate = employer + employee share of wages, for Singapore Citizens and 3rd-year-onwards PRs. Rates apply to Ordinary Wages up to the S$8,000 monthly ceiling.
| Employee's Age | Employer | Employee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 & below | 17% | 20% | 37% |
| Above 55 – 60 | 16% | 18% | 34% |
| Above 60 – 65 | 12.5% | 12.5% | 25% |
| Above 65 – 70 | 9% | 7.5% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 7.5% | 5% | 12.5% |
New Permanent Residents pay lower graduated rates in their first two years (e.g. 9% then 24% of wages at age 55 and below), rising to full rates from the 3rd year.
CPF Allocation Rates from 1 January 2026
For Private Sector / Non-Pensionable Employees (Ministries, Statutory Bodies & Aided Schools)
| Employee's Age | Ordinary Account | Special/Retirement Account | MediSave Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 & below | 62.17% | 16.21% | 21.62% |
| Above 35 – 45 | 56.77% | 18.91% | 24.32% |
| Above 45 – 50 | 51.36% | 21.62% | 27.02% |
| Above 50 – 55 | 40.55% | 31.08% | 28.37% |
| Above 55 – 60 | 35.30% | 33.82% | 30.88% |
| Above 60 – 65 | 14.00% | 44.00% | 42.00% |
| Above 65 – 70 | 6.07% | 30.30% | 63.63% |
| Above 70 | 8.00% | 8.00% | 84.00% |
Important Note on Account Types
Upon the closure of the Special Account for CPF members aged 55 and above, contributions for members aged 55 and above will be fully allocated to the Retirement Account (RA), up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS). For members who have set aside the FRS in their RA, these contributions will be channelled to their Ordinary Account.
How CPF Allocation is Calculated
The CPF allocation is calculated in a specific order to ensure healthcare and retirement needs are prioritized:
- MediSave Account (MA): Allocated first based on the applicable percentage
- Special/Retirement Account (SA/RA): Allocated second based on the applicable percentage
- Ordinary Account (OA): Receives the remainder after MA and SA/RA allocations
Example 1: Age 30
Calculation: OA = $100 - $21.62 - $16.21 = $62.17
Example 2: Age 57
Calculation: OA = $100 - $30.88 - $33.82 = $35.30
Understanding Your CPF Accounts
Ordinary Account (OA)
Interest: 2.5% per annum
For housing, insurance, investment, and education
- • Buy or build HDB/private property
- • Pay monthly mortgage installments
- • CPF-approved investments
- • Children's education
Special/Retirement Account
Interest: 4% per annum
For old age and retirement needs
- • Builds retirement savings
- • CPF LIFE monthly payouts from age 65
- • Voluntary top-ups earn tax relief
- • Becomes RA at age 55
MediSave Account (MA)
Interest: 4% per annum
For hospitalization and approved medical expenses
- • Pay for hospital bills
- • MediShield Life premiums
- • Outpatient medical expenses
- • Chronic disease management
What's New in 2026?
Higher Contribution Rates for Ages 55–65
From 1 January 2026, the total CPF contribution rate for senior workers aged above 55 to 65 rose again to strengthen retirement adequacy. The increases are channelled fully to the Retirement Account, up to the Full Retirement Sum. The Ordinary Wage ceiling also reached its final step of S$8,000/month.
Age above 55–60
- Total rate now 34% (employer 16% + employee 18%)
- Up from 32.5% in 2025
Age above 60–65
- Total rate now 25% (employer 12.5% + employee 12.5%)
- Up from 23.5% in 2025
How We Calculate Your CPF Contribution
Your total monthly CPF contribution is your wages — capped at the S$8,000 Ordinary Wage ceiling for 2026 — multiplied by the total contribution rate (employer + employee) for your age and residency:
Total CPF = min(monthly wages, S$8,000) × rate(age, residency)
That total is then split across your accounts in a fixed order: MediSave first, then your Special/Retirement Account, with the remainder going to your Ordinary Account — which is exactly how the CPF Board computes it, avoiding rounding drift.
Contribution rates (2026): 37% at age 55 and below, stepping down to 34% (above 55–60), 25% (above 60–65), 16.5% (above 65–70) and 12.5% (above 70). New Permanent Residents contribute at lower graduated rates in their first two years.
Assumptions & limits: figures are for private sector / non-pensionable employees and treat your input as Ordinary Wages. Bonuses (Additional Wages) have a separate annual ceiling that isn't modelled here, and the reduced employee rate for wages between S$50 and S$750 isn't applied. Amounts are shown to the cent; CPF Board rounds the total to the nearest dollar.
These results are estimates for planning and education, not official CPF statements or financial advice. Confirm exact figures with the CPF Board contribution rates and allocation rates.
Example Calculation
An employee aged 35 or under earning S$6,000 a month contributes 20% (S$1,200) while the employer adds 17% (S$1,020) — a total of S$2,220 into CPF each month.
- Monthly wage
- S$6,000
- Employee share (20%)
- S$1,200
- Employer share (17%)
- S$1,020
- Take-home cash
- S$4,800
Illustrative example for employees aged 55 and below, within the CPF wage ceiling.
Common Questions About CPF Contributions
What is CPF and how does it work?
CPF (Central Provident Fund) is Singapore's mandatory social security savings scheme. Both employers and employees contribute monthly to three accounts: Ordinary Account (OA) for housing and investments, Special/Retirement Account (SA/RA) for retirement, and MediSave Account (MA) for healthcare. The allocation rates vary by age to optimize retirement adequacy.
What are the CPF allocation rates for 2026?
From 1 January 2026, CPF contributions are allocated differently based on age. For those 35 and below, allocations are: 62.17% to OA, 16.21% to SA, and 21.62% to MA. For ages 55+, the Special Account becomes the Retirement Account with increased allocations to strengthen retirement savings. For example, ages 55-60 get 35.3% to OA, 33.82% to RA, and 30.88% to MA.
How is my CPF contribution calculated?
CPF is calculated on your gross monthly wages, capped at the S$8,000 Ordinary Wage ceiling (2026). For private sector employees aged 55 and below the total rate is 37% (employer 17%, employee 20%); it steps down to 34% (above 55–60), 25% (above 60–65), 16.5% (above 65–70) and 12.5% (above 70). New PRs pay lower graduated rates for their first two years. The total is then allocated to your three accounts by age — MediSave first, then Special/Retirement Account, with the remainder going to your Ordinary Account.
What is the difference between Special Account and Retirement Account?
For CPF members aged below 55, contributions go to the Special Account (SA). Upon turning 55, the Special Account is closed and merged into the Retirement Account (RA). The RA holds savings for monthly payouts during retirement under CPF LIFE. Members aged 55+ receive higher allocations to the RA to build up their Full Retirement Sum (FRS).
Can I use my CPF for housing?
Yes, you can use your Ordinary Account (OA) savings to pay for your HDB flat or private property purchase, monthly mortgage installments, and stamp duty. However, you'll need to refund the principal amount plus accrued interest when you sell the property or transfer ownership. This ensures your retirement savings are preserved. To see how much home your OA can support, try our Home Affordability Calculator.
What happens to my CPF when I turn 55?
At 55, your Special Account is closed and combined with your Ordinary Account savings to form your Retirement Account (RA). A portion is set aside to meet your Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) or Full Retirement Sum (FRS). Any excess above the FRS goes to your Ordinary Account. From this age, CPF allocation rates change to channel more to your RA and MediSave for retirement and healthcare.
How much should I have in my CPF for retirement?
For members turning 55 in 2026, the Full Retirement Sum (FRS) is S$220,400, the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) is S$110,200, and the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) is S$440,800. If you set aside the FRS in your Retirement Account by age 55, you'll receive monthly payouts for life under CPF LIFE from your payout eligibility age (currently 65). The ERS lets you top up for higher payouts. You can project how your savings grow with our Compound Interest Calculator.
Can I make voluntary contributions to CPF?
Yes, you can make voluntary contributions to boost your retirement savings. Cash top-ups to your own or family members' Special/Retirement Accounts qualify for tax relief up to $8,000 for self and $8,000 for family per year. Voluntary contributions earn the same attractive interest rates as mandatory contributions.
What are the CPF interest rates?
CPF accounts earn attractive risk-free interest: Ordinary Account earns 2.5% p.a., Special Account and MediSave Account earn 4% p.a., and Retirement Account earns 4% p.a. Additionally, the first $60,000 of combined CPF balances (with up to $20,000 from OA) earns an extra 1% interest for members aged 55 and above.
How does CPF help reduce my income tax?
Your mandatory employee CPF contributions are tax-deductible, reducing your taxable income. For example, if you earn S$80,000/year and contribute S$16,000 to CPF, your taxable income becomes S$64,000. Voluntary CPF cash top-ups also qualify for tax relief, helping you save even more on income tax while building retirement savings. See the exact impact on your tax bill with our Singapore Tax Calculator.