The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is Singapore’s compulsory savings scheme for retirement, housing and healthcare, funded by monthly contributions from employees and employers and administered by the CPF Board.
Key takeaways
- CPF savings are held across four accounts — Ordinary (OA), Special (SA), MediSave (MA) and, from age 55, the Retirement Account (RA).
- For employees aged 55 and below, total contributions are 37% of wages — 17% from the employer and 20% from the employee (as at 2026).
- Contributions are payable on Ordinary Wages up to the ceiling of SGD 8,000 per month from 1 January 2026.
- CPF balances earn a floor interest rate of 2.5% p.a. on the OA and 4% p.a. on the SA, MA and RA (as at 2026).
- CPF savings can be used for approved housing, healthcare, insurance and investment purposes under CPF Board rules.
How CPF contributions work
For employees aged 55 and below, CPF contributions total 37% of wages — 17% from the employer and 20% from the employee — on Ordinary Wages up to the SGD 8,000 monthly ceiling (as at 2026). Each contribution is divided across the Ordinary, Special and MediSave Accounts according to age-based allocation rates published by the CPF Board.
The four CPF accounts
- Ordinary Account (OA) — housing, insurance, approved investments and education
- Special Account (SA) — retirement savings, for members below age 55
- MediSave Account (MA) — healthcare costs and approved insurance premiums
- Retirement Account (RA) — created at age 55 to hold retirement savings for CPF LIFE
Interest on CPF savings
The OA earns a floor of 2.5% p.a., while the SA, MA and RA earn a floor of 4% p.a., which the Government has extended until 31 December 2026. Extra interest of 1% p.a. is paid on the first SGD 60,000 of combined balances, and members aged 55 and above earn further extra interest on the first SGD 30,000.
Key CPF figures
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total contribution rate — employees aged 55 and below | 37% of wages |
| Ordinary Wage ceiling (from 1 Jan 2026) | SGD 8,000 per month |
| CPF Annual Limit (2026) | SGD 37,740 |
| OA floor interest rate | 2.5% p.a. |
| SA / MA / RA floor interest rate | 4% p.a. |
Figures as at 2026. Source: CPF Board.
Worked example
On a monthly wage of SGD 5,000, an employee aged 55 or below and their employer contribute a combined 37%, or SGD 1,850 per month, into the employee’s CPF accounts. The amount is split across the Ordinary, Special and MediSave Accounts using the CPF Board’s age-based allocation rates.
Related terms
All Singapore glossary terms →Related calculator
Estimate monthly CPF contributions and account allocations based on CPF Board rates.
This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. All figures and worked examples are estimates for illustrative purposes, are subject to change, and do not reflect any individual’s circumstances. Always refer to the CPF Board and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.