CPF Account Value Thread 2025

[CrashWire]

Last year I topped up $4000 on 1st Jan, and that was shown as the transaction date. So My MA balance was $75,500 for the full year, but my interest was $3,006.70, which is 4% on $71,500 for 1 month plus 4% on $75,500 for 11 months. Topping up on 1st Jan didn't earn me interest on the top up amount in Jan.

From the CPF website:
"CPF interest is computed monthly. It is credited to your respective accounts by the following year and compounded annually.

CPF balances used for interest computation are affected by the transactions in your account. For instance, contributions (including refunds) received this month start earning interest next month. Withdrawals/deductions in this month will not earn interest from this month onwards."

Yes, you need to top up before contributions from your employer or any refunds come into the MA in January, but it doesn't have to be the first day (you'd lose any interest that you'd earn on the cash in your bank account, though it is really tiny, I know). For retirees, can wait till the end of the month.

This data point is shocking.. means they will go by the lowest point of the day too!

Eg 8am is 19k at 12pm increased to 20k but they still take 19k to compute yet gaining the 1k to freely use... omg

This should not be shocking if you see some of the other discussions here.

A lot of people should know that CPF interest is calculated this way, so it makes more sense to do contributions close to the end of the month.

 

[chiokcc]

My CPF contribution comes in within the first week of the month, so better do top-up early ....

Lucky I topped up my MA on New Year's day, my previous month CPF comes in this weekend ......

 

[highsulphur]

Lucky I topped up my MA on New Year's day, my previous month CPF comes in this weekend ......

When does it normally come in? Is this one earlier than usual?

 

[chiokcc]

When does it normally come in? Is this one earlier than usual?

Within the first week .....

 

[yiwei]

When does it normally come in? Is this one earlier than usual?

Depends on your company, they have until the 14th of the following month (or the next working day if the 14th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday).

 

[highsulphur]

Depends on your company, they have until the 14th of the following month (or the next working day if the 14th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday).

I'm just curious if there is any deviation from the normal schedule that could mess up your top up. That would have been penny wise pound foolish

 

[chiokcc]

For those who wants to know, there is also the MRSS :

https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/infoh...tirement-savings-scheme-what-you-need-to-know

MRSS top-up was in on 06 Jan .......

 

[iadpotato]

My organization pay my CPF on a fixed day every month. Always 2 working days before the last working day of the month. CPF for Dec's pay was in on 29 Dec. So this month, CPF for Jan's salary will come in on 28 Jan. Need to top up on 27 Jan.

 

[highsulphur]

My organization pay my CPF on a fixed day every month. Always 2 working days before the last working day of the month. CPF for Dec's pay was in on 29 Dec. So this month, CPF for Jan's salary will come in on 28 Jan. Need to top up on 27 Jan.

Your cpf for the month comes in the same month? That's quite unusual. Most usually come in the following month

 

[iadpotato]

Your cpf for the month comes in the same month? That's quite unusual. Most usually come in the following month

Yes, same month. Salary in 2nd week, end of month CPF in. My HR and Finance efficient haha.

 

[highsulphur]

Yes, same month. Salary in 2nd week, end of month CPF in. My HR and Finance efficient haha.

Thats great. Gives you more interest

 

[chiokcc]

My organization pay my CPF on a fixed day every month. Always 2 working days before the last working day of the month. CPF for Dec's pay was in on 29 Dec. So this month, CPF for Jan's salary will come in on 28 Jan. Need to top up on 27 Jan.

Very good company ....

 

[PhantomOpera]

MRSS top-up was in on 06 Jan .......

I tried to top up for my mother but the website says it’s still assessing eligibility. Can top up now liao?

 

[chiokcc]

MRSS top-up was in on 06 Jan .......

The MRSS top-up from govt that came in earlier last week was for top-up by acct holder last year .....

 

[Potent]

If chose brs at 55. At 56 wants. To change to ers it's possible?

 

[caesium5]

If chose brs at 55. At 56 wants. To change to ers it's possible?

There is nothing to choose. BRS, FRS, ERS is just a figure that some have to meet, a point of reference of how much one needs in retirement.

It's the CPF LIFE plans, Basic, Standard or Escalating that one needs to choose when reaching 65 ... to 70 years old

Edit:
To answer your question, Yes, you can "change" to ERS at 56.
Basically just top up the amount in your CPF Retirement Account.

Take note,that once your top up, the transaction cannot be reversed.

 

[Potent]

There is nothing to choose. BRS, FRS, ERS is just a figure that some have to meet, a point of reference of how much one needs in retirement.

It's the CPF LIFE plans, Basic, Standard or Escalating that one needs to choose when reaching 65 ... to 70 years old

Edit:
To answer your question, Yes, you can "change" to ERS at 56.
Basically just top up the amount in your CPF Retirement Account.

Take note,that once your top up, the transaction cannot be reversed.

Thank you. Noted

 

[BBCWatcher]

If chose brs at 55. At 56 wants. To change to ers it's possible?

There is nothing to choose. BRS, FRS, ERS is just a figure that some have to meet, a point of reference of how much one needs in retirement.

Actually, "choosing the Basic Retirement Sum" typically means withdrawing a large lump sum from your CPF Retirement Account. It's a specific, voluntary action.

By default the CPF Board attempts to fund your new Retirement Account to the Full Retirement Sum on your 55th birthday. If the CPF Board is successful in doing that, that's your default. If you then want to reduce your RA below the FRS, you have to make a property pledge (or have a property charge in place), and you withdraw funds from your RA to obtain that lower funding level.

To answer the question asked (and to expand on caesium5's edit), lump sum withdrawals from your RA are counted against the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) in terms of determining the maximum amount you can put into your Retirement Account. Withdrawing from your RA effectively reduces your ERS. However, you can still add funds to your RA after you withdraw. You just can't add as many dollars as someone who hasn't made any lump sum withdrawals. And that's a permanent, lifetime reduction, although you're still required to return at least to the FRS if/when you sell the house with the property pledge or charge.

Of course you don't earn CPF interest on any funds you withdraw from your RA, and you reduce your assured lifetime retirement income (and any residual paid to CPF nominees, if applicable). Withdrawals are also counted against the Full Retirement Sum in terms of qualifying for tax relief. In other words, you can't make a lump sum withdrawal and then suddenly qualify for more top up tax relief than you otherwise would've already qualified for.

 

[Potent]

Actually, "choosing the Basic Retirement Sum" typically means withdrawing a large lump sum from your CPF Retirement Account. It's a specific, voluntary action.

By default the CPF Board attempts to fund your new Retirement Account to the Full Retirement Sum on your 55th birthday. If the CPF Board is successful in doing that, that's your default. If you then want to reduce your RA below the FRS, you have to make a property pledge (or have a property charge in place), and you withdraw funds from your RA to obtain that lower funding level.

To answer the question asked (and to expand on caesium5's edit), lump sum withdrawals from your RA are counted against the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) in terms of determining the maximum amount you can put into your Retirement Account. Withdrawing from your RA effectively reduces your ERS. However, you can still add funds to your RA after you withdraw. You just can't add as many dollars as someone who hasn't made any lump sum withdrawals. And that's a permanent, lifetime reduction, although you're still required to return at least to the FRS if/when you sell the house with the property pledge or charge.

Of course you don't earn CPF interest on any funds you withdraw from your RA, and you reduce your assured lifetime retirement income (and any residual paid to CPF nominees, if applicable). Withdrawals are also counted against the Full Retirement Sum in terms of qualifying for tax relief. In other words, you can't make a lump sum withdrawal and then suddenly qualify for more top up tax relief than you otherwise would've already qualified for.

Was asking based on this scenario:
Age 53
Sa 210000
Oa 185000

At 55.
Ra = set brs, Frs or ers.
Let's say pledge property. So ra only need $120000.
Remaining goes to oa. About 270000.

If don't Wan to withdraw now, but dun wan put ra as it's fixed, so means this amount in oa can withdraw anytime if needed. And also it can transfer to ers if want to. Do so at maybe 60 yo or something. It's flexible right.
Just the loss of the additional. Interest over the years.

Just asking.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Was asking based on this scenario:
Age 53
Sa 210000
Oa 185000
At 55.
Ra = set brs, Frs or ers.
Let's say pledge property. So ra only need $120000.
Remaining goes to oa. About 270000.

No, that's not an option. Not as you've written it.

To repeat, "choosing the Basic Retirement Sum" means withdrawing funds from your Retirement Account. As cash. Whether you're able to redeposit some or all of those funds into your CPF Ordinary Account is a separate question. Refer to the CPF Board's "What happens when you reach age 55" page for details.

I don't think we know the Basic Retirement Sum for 2028 yet since it hasn't been announced. For 2027 it'll be $114,100. (The Full Retirement Sum will be $228,200.) If you celebrate your 55th birthday in 2027, and with those SA and OA balances or similar, the CPF Board will sweep $228,200 into your new Retirement Account, mostly or perhaps entirely from SA (after 2026 interest). The remainder will stay in OA. You then have the option (with a property pledge or charge) to withdraw up to $114,100 from your RA in a lump sum.(*) Less if you've made cash top ups to your Special Account.

If don't Wan to withdraw now, but dun wan put ra as it's fixed, so means this amount in oa can withdraw anytime if needed.

Since you have the FRS (or nearly so), you can't "choose the BRS" at age 55 without a withdrawal from your RA. It's tautological. If you want to withdraw up to $114,100 from your Retirement Account later, at age 59 for example, you can do that.

What you do with that lump sum cash is up to you, but if you want it to go back into CPF it will be subject to applicable contribution and top up limits.

And also it can transfer to ers if want to. Do so at maybe 60 yo or something. It's flexible right.

As I wrote, when you make any lump sum withdrawal from your Retirement Account you permanently reduce the maximum amount you can have in your Retirement Account. The RA limit (the Enhanced Retirement Sum) is computed inclusive of prior lump sum withdrawals. Maybe this effective reduction in the ERS won't matter in your situation. It depends on how many dollars you want to put in. But it might matter if you want to put a lot of dollars into (or back into) your RA.

It's generally not a good idea to take dollars out of your RA unless you really need them (for urgent needs).(*)

Just the loss of the additional. Interest over the years.

There's that too.

(*) You'll have lots of OA dollars you could withdraw at any time in any increment without touching your RA and without requiring a property pledge or charge. OA earns 2.5% interest, and RA earns 4.0% interest.