CPF LIFE Plan Comparator
Compare the Standard, Escalating, and Basic CPF LIFE plans — monthly payouts, escalation over time, cumulative income, and bequest, modelled from CPF Board figures for the 2026 cohort.
CPF LIFE Plan Comparator
Standard vs Escalating vs Basic payouts · 2026
Estimates only. Figures are modelled from CPF Board's published Standard Plan payouts for the 2026 cohort. Actual payouts and bequests are set by the CPF LIFE Estimator. Plan choice can be changed only within 30 days of your first policy letter.
Plan Comparison
START 65Monthly payout over time
The Standard and Basic plans pay a level amount; the Escalating Plan starts lower and rises 2% each year. The chart tracks the estimated monthly payout for each plan from your start age. Anchored to CPF Board Standard Plan figures.
Total payouts received
Cumulative income from each plan by your chosen planning age. The plan that totals the most depends heavily on how long payouts continue.
Cumulative payout by plan
Bequest profile
If you pass away before your CPF LIFE premium is fully paid out, the remaining balance is left to your beneficiaries. The Basic Plan keeps part of your savings in the Retirement Account earning interest, so it generally leaves a larger bequest up to about age 90. Per CPF Board.
The three CPF LIFE plans
All three plans pay out for life, regardless of how long you live. They differ in the monthly amount, whether it rises with inflation, and the size of the bequest. Per CPF Board.
| Plan | Monthly payout | Inflation | Bequest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (default) | Highest level payout | None — payout stays flat | Lower |
| Escalating | Starts ~20% below Standard | Rises 2% every year | Lowest |
| Basic | Starts ~10% below Standard; falls if combined balances drop below SGD 60,000 | None | Highest (to ~age 90) |
Deferring your payout start
You can start CPF LIFE payouts any time between 65 and 70. Each year of deferral raises the monthly payout by roughly 7%, because savings stay invested and the payout period is shorter. Per CPF Board.
Estimated Standard Plan monthly payout by start age
CPF LIFE Plans, Payouts & Bequests
The three CPF LIFE plans, estimated 2026 monthly payouts by retirement sum, deferral effects, and how bequests work — sourced from CPF Board.
The Three Plans
All pay for life; they differ in monthly amount, inflation protection, and bequest.
2026 Retirement Sums
Cohort amounts for members turning 55 in 2026 — set CPF LIFE payout levels.
Standard Payout (Start 65)
Estimated Standard Plan monthly payout by retirement sum, 2026 cohort.
The Three CPF LIFE Plans Compared
Each plan pays a monthly income for life. The differences are the monthly amount, whether it rises with inflation, and the bequest left to beneficiaries. Per CPF Board.
| Plan | Monthly payout | Inflation | Bequest | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (default) | Highest, level | None | Lower | Steady income, most members |
| Escalating | Starts ~20% below Standard | Rises 2% / yr | Lowest | Long retirement, inflation hedge |
| Basic | Starts ~10% below Standard; can fall below SGD 60,000 balances | None | Highest to ~age 90 | Other income, larger inheritance |
Estimated 2026 Standard Plan Payouts by Retirement Sum
Estimates for a member turning 55 in 2026 and starting payouts at 65 on the Standard Plan. Escalating and Basic figures are approximate starting payouts. Per CPF Board — CPF LIFE Estimator.
| Retirement Sum | Amount | Standard | Escalating (start) | Basic (start) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (BRS) | SGD 110,200 | ~SGD 950 | ~SGD 760 | ~SGD 855 |
| Full (FRS) | SGD 220,400 | ~SGD 1,780 | ~SGD 1,424 | ~SGD 1,602 |
| Enhanced (ERS) | SGD 440,800 | ~SGD 3,440 | ~SGD 2,752 | ~SGD 3,096 |
Deferral Uplift by Start Age (Standard Plan, FRS)
Deferring the payout start age raises the monthly payout by roughly 7% per year deferred. Illustrated for the Full Retirement Sum on the Standard Plan. Per CPF Board.
| Start Age | Estimated Standard payout | Uplift vs 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | ~SGD 1,780 | — |
| 66 | ~SGD 1,905 | +7% |
| 67 | ~SGD 2,029 | +14% |
| 68 | ~SGD 2,154 | +21% |
| 69 | ~SGD 2,278 | +28% |
| 70 | ~SGD 2,403 | +35% |
CPF LIFE News & Policy Updates
CPF Board updates affecting CPF LIFE payouts — 2026 Retirement Sums, the Enhanced Retirement Sum change, Special Account closure, and interest-rate decisions.
2026 Retirement Sums set the CPF LIFE payout tiers
For members turning 55 in 2026, the Basic Retirement Sum is SGD 110,200, the Full Retirement Sum is SGD 220,400, and the Enhanced Retirement Sum is SGD 440,800. These amounts are fixed for the 2026 cohort and determine the CPF LIFE monthly payout at age 65.
2026 cohort figures
- BRS: SGD 110,200 — Standard payout ~SGD 950/month
- FRS: SGD 220,400 (2× BRS) — ~SGD 1,780/month
- ERS: SGD 440,800 (4× BRS) — ~SGD 3,440/month
What it means
Your payout depends on the balance in your Retirement Account when payouts begin. The sums are reference points; a higher balance means a higher payout.
Enhanced Retirement Sum raised to four times the Basic Retirement Sum
Since 2025 the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) is set at four times the Basic Retirement Sum, up from three times previously. This lets members who want a higher CPF LIFE payout set aside more in their Retirement Account.
Before and after
The ERS moved from 3× to 4× the BRS. For 2026 that makes the ERS SGD 440,800 against a BRS of SGD 110,200.
Effect on payouts
Topping up towards the higher ERS raises the premium and therefore the monthly payout — useful for members prioritising retirement income.
Special Account closure channels savings into the Retirement Account
From 19 January 2025, the Special Account closed for members aged 55 and above. Savings were transferred to the Retirement Account up to the Full Retirement Sum, with any excess moved to the Ordinary Account. A larger Retirement Account balance directly supports CPF LIFE payouts.
Where the money went
- SA savings moved to the RA up to the FRS
- Any excess above the FRS moved to the OA
- From 2026, contributions for members 55+ go to the RA up to the FRS
Link to CPF LIFE
The Retirement Account funds the CPF LIFE premium, so a higher RA balance at 65 generally means a higher lifelong payout.
CPF LIFE Plans — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Standard, Escalating, and Basic plans, payouts, bequests, and deferral — with current 2026 figures from CPF Board.
CPF LIFE offers three plans, all paying a monthly income for life from your payout start age:
- Standard Plan (the default) — the highest level monthly payout, with a smaller bequest.
- Escalating Plan — starts about 20% lower than Standard but rises 2% every year to help offset inflation.
- Basic Plan — a lower monthly payout that can fall if combined balances drop below SGD 60,000, but leaves the largest bequest up to about age 90.
The Standard Plan gives the highest payout in the early years because it pays a level amount and leaves a smaller bequest. The Escalating Plan starts lower but its 2% annual rise means it can overtake the Standard payout later in life — the comparator estimates the crossover age for your inputs.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEFor the cohort turning 55 in 2026 and starting payouts at 65 on the Standard Plan, CPF Board estimates roughly SGD 950/month at the Basic Retirement Sum (SGD 110,200), about SGD 1,780/month at the Full Retirement Sum (SGD 220,400), and about SGD 3,440/month at the Enhanced Retirement Sum (SGD 440,800). Your actual payout depends on your Retirement Account balance when payouts begin.
CPF Board — CPF LIFE EstimatorThe payout depends mainly on how much is in your Retirement Account when you join CPF LIFE and which plan you choose. The BRS, FRS, and ERS are reference points only — any balance in your Retirement Account at your start age determines the actual payout. Generally, the more savings used, the higher the payout.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEThe Payout Eligibility Age is 65. You can choose to start payouts any time between 65 and 70. Members with at least SGD 60,000 in their Retirement Account at 65 are automatically included in CPF LIFE.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEThe Escalating Plan's monthly payout rises 2% each year for life. It starts about 20% below the Standard Plan, so early payouts are lower, but the annual increase helps maintain purchasing power as prices rise. It tends to suit members who expect a long retirement.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEBecause the Escalating Plan grows 2% a year from a lower base, its monthly payout eventually exceeds the level Standard payout. For a start age of 65 this crossover is typically in the mid-to-late 70s; the exact age depends on your balance and is shown in the comparator. Whether the Escalating Plan pays more in total depends on how long payouts continue.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEIf you pass away before your CPF LIFE premium has been fully paid out through monthly payouts, the remaining balance is left to your beneficiaries. Under the Standard and Escalating plans the bequest is the premium set aside minus the payouts already received. The Basic Plan generally leaves a larger bequest because part of your Retirement Account keeps earning interest.
CPF Board — CPF LIFE BequestThe Basic Plan generally leaves the largest bequest, especially up to about age 90, because only part of your Retirement Account savings is used as premium and the remainder continues to earn interest. The Standard Plan leaves a moderate bequest and the Escalating Plan the smallest.
CPF Board — CPF LIFE BequestDeferring the start of payouts from 65 towards 70 raises the monthly payout by roughly 7% for each year deferred — up to about 35% more at 70 — because savings stay invested longer and the payout period is shorter. The trade-off is that you forgo the payments you would have received during the deferral years.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEThere are two main ways to raise future payouts: top up your Retirement Account (for example towards the Enhanced Retirement Sum) before payouts start, or defer your start age up to 70. Topping up to a higher retirement sum raises the premium, and deferring raises the payout rate.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEYou can change your plan freely only within 30 days of receiving your first policy letter. After that, changes are limited — for example, from the Basic Plan to the Standard or Escalating Plan, or from the Standard Plan to the Escalating Plan. The choice is otherwise permanent, so it is worth comparing plans before payouts begin.
CPF Board — CPF LIFEYes. Since 2025 the Enhanced Retirement Sum has been set at four times the Basic Retirement Sum, up from three times previously. For 2026 that makes the ERS SGD 440,800 (4 × the BRS of SGD 110,200). This lets members who want a higher payout set aside more in their Retirement Account.
CPF Board — CPF Retirement SumsCPF LIFE monthly payouts are not subject to income tax in Singapore. This makes the monthly amount you receive equal to what you keep. For tax matters generally, refer to IRAS.
IRAS — Individual Income TaxThe simplified relationships this comparator uses to model the plans. Actual figures come from CPF Board's actuarial tables.
Escalating Payout
Starts below Standard and rises 2% each year.
Start ≈ 80% of the Standard Plan payout
Deferral Uplift
Each year of deferral adds about 7% to the payout.
Up to ~35% more at age 70 vs 65
Cumulative Payout
Total received by a given age.
Escalating totals grow faster the longer payouts run
Bequest (Standard / Escalating)
Remaining premium after payouts received.
Basic Plan leaves more due to retained RA interest
Important Disclaimer
For educational and informational purposes only. This tool produces estimates that compare the three CPF LIFE plans — Standard, Escalating, and Basic. Standard Plan monthly payouts are anchored to CPF Board figures for the cohort turning 55 in 2026 and starting payouts at age 65: approximately SGD 950/month at the Basic Retirement Sum (SGD 110,200), SGD 1,780/month at the Full Retirement Sum (SGD 220,400), and SGD 3,440/month at the Enhanced Retirement Sum (SGD 440,800). The Escalating Plan starts about 20% lower and rises 2% each year; the Basic Plan starts about 10% lower and pays a larger bequest. Deferring the start age from 65 to 70 raises payouts by roughly 7% per year. Escalating, Basic, deferral, and bequest figures are modelled estimates.
No warranty of accuracy. While Money Snap sources figures from CPF Board, this tool is provided "as is" without any express or implied warranty as to accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Actual CPF LIFE payouts and bequests are determined by CPF Board's actuarial tables and prevailing interest rates at the time payouts begin, and are produced by the official CPF LIFE Estimator. Retirement sums, interest rates, and payout figures are reviewed and revised by CPF Board and may be out of date here.
Not financial advice. Information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Results do not constitute financial or retirement-planning advice. Your choice of CPF LIFE plan can be changed only within 30 days of receiving your first policy letter, after which changes are limited. Before making any decision, refer to your official figures at cpf.gov.sg or obtain advice from an MAS-licensed financial adviser.
Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Money Snap accepts no liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from reliance on this tool or the information it produces. Users are responsible for verifying all figures with CPF Board before relying on them. Use is subject to our Terms of Use.
Official data sources
Standard Plan payout anchors from CPF Board 2026 cohort figures. Escalating, Basic and deferral effects are modelled estimates — confirm exact figures with the CPF LIFE Estimator.