CPF Account Value Thread 2025

[Senfai]

Diff people circumstances different.

but in general, you can say that most people wouldn’t do better off getting returns from liquid cash better than the tax savings you get from topping up + the interest.

So depends on what type of person you are.

but for you to ask such a question, it’s more likely than not that you are better off topping up.

Agree with you.

Follow up question; the amount given to CPF, do we get it back at 55 or 65? Quite confused at this part.

 

[reddevil0728]

Agree with you.

Follow up question; the amount given to CPF, do we get it back at 55 or 65? Quite confused at this part.

You are not giving anything to cpf

you are topping up your cpf account.

And your question is not that straightforward to be answer.

cause technically, what you topped up can’t be withdrawn.

but it technically frees up another portion of your balance to be if is above FRS.

anyway it will be 55 if that happens. If not from 65 can start receiving payment from CPF life

 

[Senfai]

You are not giving anything to cpf

you are topping up your cpf account.

And your question is not that straightforward to be answer.

cause technically, what you topped up can’t be withdrawn.

but it technically frees up another portion of your balance to be if is above FRS.

anyway it will be 55 if that happens. If not from 65 can start receiving payment from CPF life

Sorry this is Very very confusing and you have lost me. Appreciate you trying to be helpful.

technically cannot? But can? Huh???

 

[reddevil0728]

Sorry this is Very very confusing and you have lost me. Appreciate you trying to be helpful.

technically cannot? But can? Huh???

Yes it’s confusing.

cause need to be aware of the nuance.

What’s topped up cannot be withdrawn if you want the long n short without the nuance

 

[BBCWatcher]

Sorry this is Very very confusing and you have lost me. Appreciate you trying to be helpful.

Which top up are you asking about? To SA or RA? Using cash or OA dollars? To your or to someone else’s account?

 

[reddevil0728]

Which top up are you asking about? To SA or RA? Using cash or OA dollars? To your or to someone else’s account?

Cash…

Hello, newbie to the CPF system.

Is the general consensus that it is worthwhile to top up with cash for tax relief?

 

[Senfai]

Which top up are you asking about? To SA or RA? Using cash or OA dollars? To your or to someone else’s account?

SA. Cash. Own Account.

thank you

 

[BBCWatcher]

SA. Cash. Own Account.

OK.

Your cash top up to your SA, plus interest on that top up, will boost your CPF LIFE retirement income for life. You can start receiving CPF LIFE monthly payouts from age 65, from age 70 (the default), or any time in between. If there's any residual when you pass on, it'll be paid to your CPF nominee(s).

You cannot withdraw your top up (plus interest on that top up) as a lump sum. However, higher retirement income from CPF LIFE means that any other lump sum CPF withdrawals (if available, if you ever need them) are more tolerable.

 

[Senfai]

OK.

Your cash top up to your SA, plus interest on that top up, will boost your CPF LIFE retirement income for life. You can start receiving CPF LIFE monthly payouts from age 65, from age 70 (the default), or any time in between. If there's any residual when you pass on, it'll be paid to your CPF nominee(s).

You cannot withdraw your top up (plus interest on that top up) as a lump sum. However, higher retirement income from CPF LIFE means that any other lump sum CPF withdrawals (if available, if you ever need them) are more tolerable.

great, thanks!

the last sentence not very clear to me. What does more tolerable mean?

 

[Dividends Warrior]

Topping up for my parents next month.

 

[reddevil0728]

OK.

Your cash top up to your SA, plus interest on that top up, will boost your CPF LIFE retirement income for life. You can start receiving CPF LIFE monthly payouts from age 65, from age 70 (the default), or any time in between. If there's any residual when you pass on, it'll be paid to your CPF nominee(s).

You cannot withdraw your top up (plus interest on that top up) as a lump sum. However, higher retirement income from CPF LIFE means that any other lump sum CPF withdrawals (if available, if you ever need them) are more tolerable.

Question here.

for the sake of argument if someone at age 55 (assuming no change in rules), through employment contribution and interest, the cpf SA balance just nice reach the prevailing FRS then.

would the individual be able to withdraw anything?

 

[chiokcc]

For those wondering ....

I had topped up parents RA with $8k on 01 Jan to max out for tax deductible, and top up another $2k for MRSS ... you can login to parent's CPF, surf a bit to see that the $2k as MRSS ....

 

[chong18]

Question here.

for the sake of argument if someone at age 55 (assuming no change in rules), through employment contribution and interest, the cpf SA balance just nice reach the prevailing FRS then.

would the individual be able to withdraw anything?

Still can withdraw OA. And if you pledge property, no need set aside FRS，can go for BRS and withdraw more

 

[reddevil0728]

Still can withdraw OA. And if you pledge property, no need set aside FRS，can go for BRS and withdraw more

What if OA no money and no property pledge?

 

[chong18]

What if OA no money and no property pledge?

Then can only withdraw $5k if I'm not wrong.

 

[BBCWatcher]

the last sentence not very clear to me. What does more tolerable mean?

If you're certain you'll have more money every month in the future then it's easier (more tolerable) to spend other dollars today (if you need to), right?

 

[henrylbh]

Topping up for my parents next month.

Cash or CPF top ups?

I did that years ago using my OA without tax relief. I low income and not subject to income tax

 

[reddevil0728]

Then can only withdraw $5k if I'm not wrong.

then technically, if not top 8k as an example now.

whilst the 8k and the interested will be locked and not be withdrawable, it will essentially allow 8k from employment contribution be withdrawal right?

 

[BBCWatcher]

then technically, if not top 8k as an example now.
whilst the 8k and the interested will be locked and not be withdrawable, it will essentially allow 8k from employment contribution be withdrawal right?

Let’s put it this way. The more (and earlier) you fund your future CPF Retirement Account via top ups and transfers, the more liquid dollars you’ll likely find in your Ordinary Account on your 55th birthday. Or, if you don’t meet the FRS on your 55th birthday, the easier and faster it’ll be to meet the FRS after 55.

Also, once your MA reaches the Basic Healthcare Sum, and your SA reaches the Full Retirement Sum, more dollars flow into your OA from compulsory contributions. You can use OA dollars for housing and/or for the CPF Investment Scheme even before age 55. Your MA reaches the BHS faster if you make a Voluntary Contribution to MA. Your SA reaches the FRS faster if you top it up with cash and/or OA dollars.

On top of all that, if your SA reaches the Full Retirement Sum faster, your other retirement savings — you are saving for retirement above CPF savings, right? — can be safely reduced by a similar amount while still meeting your desired retirement objectives.

In short, good things happen when you add funds to your MA and SA (and later your RA). Especially, but not only, when you enjoy some tax relief.

 

[reddevil0728]

Let’s put it this way. The more (and earlier) you fund your future CPF Retirement Account via top ups and transfers, the more liquid dollars you’ll likely find in your Ordinary Account on your 55th birthday. Or, if you don’t meet the FRS on your 55th birthday, the easier and faster it’ll be to meet the FRS after 55.

Also, once your MA reaches the Basic Healthcare Sum, and your SA reaches the Full Retirement Sum, more dollars flow into your OA from compulsory contributions. You can use OA dollars for housing and/or for the CPF Investment Scheme even before age 55. Your MA reaches the BHS faster if you make a Voluntary Contribution to MA. Your SA reaches the FRS faster if you top it up with cash and/or OA dollars.

On top of all that, if your SA reaches the Full Retirement Sum faster, your other retirement savings — you are saving for retirement above CPF savings, right? — can be safely reduced by a similar amount while still meeting your desired retirement objectives.

In short, good things happen when you add funds to your MA and SA (and later your RA). Especially, but not only, when you enjoy some tax relief.

what if for the sake of my own knowledge, i want to keep it simple to the scenario i am referring to just to make sure my understanding is correct?