The CPF Ordinary Account (OA) is one of the three accounts in Singapore’s Central Provident Fund, and the savings credited to it each month can be used for housing, insurance, approved investments and education.
Key takeaways
- OA savings earn a base interest rate of 2.5% p.a., the legislated minimum (as at 2026).
- An extra 1% p.a. is paid on the first SGD 60,000 of combined CPF balances, of which up to SGD 20,000 can come from the OA.
- For employees aged 35 and below, an estimated 23% of monthly ordinary wages is allocated to the OA; the share reduces with age.
- OA savings can be used for property payments, Home Protection Scheme premiums, CPFIS-OA investments and approved education loans.
- OA amounts used for a property, plus accrued interest, are generally refunded to CPF when the property is sold.
How savings enter the OA
For employees aged 55 and below, CPF contributions total 37% of ordinary wages — 17% from the employer and 20% from the employee — on wages up to the Ordinary Wage ceiling of SGD 8,000 per month (as at 2026). Each contribution is split across the Ordinary, Special and MediSave Accounts according to age-based allocation rates published by the CPF Board.
Interest on OA balances
The OA interest rate is reviewed quarterly and has a legislated minimum of 2.5% p.a. An extra 1% p.a. is paid on the first SGD 60,000 of a member’s combined CPF balances, capped at SGD 20,000 from the OA. Members aged 55 and above earn an additional 1% p.a. on the first SGD 30,000 of combined balances.
What OA savings can be used for
- Property purchases and monthly housing loan repayments
- Home Protection Scheme (HPS) premiums for HDB flats
- Investments under the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS-OA), above a set OA balance threshold
- Approved tertiary education loans under the CPF Education Loan Scheme
OA and property purchases
OA savings can be applied to a property’s downpayment, stamp duty and legal fees, and to monthly housing loan repayments, subject to CPF Board usage limits. When the property is sold, the principal amount withdrawn plus the interest it would have earned — the accrued interest — is refunded to the member’s OA.
Key CPF OA figures
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| OA base interest rate | 2.5% p.a. |
| Extra interest — first SGD 60,000 of combined balances | +1% p.a. (up to SGD 20,000 from the OA) |
| Total contribution rate — employees aged 55 and below | 37% of ordinary wages |
| Ordinary Wage ceiling | SGD 8,000 per month |
Figures as at 2026. Source: CPF Board.
Worked example
On a monthly ordinary wage of SGD 5,000, an employee aged 35 or below receives a total CPF contribution of 37%, or SGD 1,850 per month. Of this, an estimated SGD 1,151 is allocated to the Ordinary Account under the CPF Board’s published allocation rates.
Related terms
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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.