CPF Account Value Thread 2026

[havetheveryfun]

But once hit ERS, can still top up next year after it increases again?

yes..
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/service/article/what-is-the-enhanced-retirement-sum-ers

You can top up more to your RA every year when the ERS increases. To illustrate, a member aged 55 and above in 2026 would be able to top up to $440,800. In 2027, when the ERS is increased to $456,400 the member will be able to top up a further $15,600 (i.e. $456,400 - $440,800).

but by right the interest should be more than enough to cover..

 

[havetheveryfun]

Seems like even if I were to top up to ERS at age 55, and seek first payout at 65 via Standard Plan, my max CPF Life payout pm is only $3k+.
Is it impossible to obtain $5k payout from CPF Life?

if u still hold a high paying job after 55 years old.. then possible.. cos cpf contribution from salary still goes to RA after age 55 even after hitting ERS..

if no job think can still do the annual VC.. the one cap at $37k one but goes to all 3 three accounts (OA, MA, SA/RA)

 

[tyongchi]

This is not correct. Once you hit 55, contribution from cpf goes into OA and MA (and RA only if it is below prevailing FRS). If your RA > prevailing FRS, you can manually top up your RA as long as it is below the prevailing ERS cap (excluding RA interest).

 

[BBCWatcher]

But once hit ERS, can still top up next year after it increases again?

yes..
but by right the interest should be more than enough to cover..

The Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) limit ignores interest. Everyone with a CPF Retirement Account can add funds to their RA whenever the ERS is raised. Every time, for their entire lives, if they wish.

if u still hold a high paying job after 55 years old.. then possible.. cos cpf contribution from salary still goes to RA after age 55 even after hitting ERS..

This is not correct.

Exactly. Once you've set aside at least the Full Retirement Sum in your CPF Retirement Account (or at least the Basic Retirement Sum with property pledge/charge), compulsory contributions no longer flow into RA. Nor does any part of "all 3 account" Voluntary Contributions (VC3As). If you want to fund your RA even S$1 above these FRS/BRS amounts, somebody (usually you) has to take voluntary action.

 

[reddevil0728]

will that allow to obtain 5k?

@BBCWatcher

 

[BBCWatcher]

will that allow to obtain 5k?

Maybe, but more information is required to forecast the specific projected CPF LIFE payout figure including:

• whether the CPF member is male or female (males receive slightly higher payouts);
• the current age of the CPF member, and therefore whether higher or lower projected ERS limits apply.

 

[royalmix]

This is not correct. Once you hit 55, contribution from cpf goes into OA and MA (and RA only if it is below prevailing FRS).

You are wrong too!

Read this FAQ from CPF website:

Which accounts will my CPF contributions be allocated to after I turn age 55 and my Special Account is closed?

After you turn 55, CPF contributions allocated to your Special Account will be fully allocated to your Retirement Account (RA) instead, up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS), to boost retirement payouts.

If you have set aside the FRS ( your cohort) in the RA, these contributions (ie allocated to SA) will be channelled to your Ordinary Account (OA).

In short, If you already meet your FRS and max your MA (BHS), then everything goes to OA, be it mandatory (employment) contribution or voluntary contributions.

(those in read are added by me for clarifications)

 

[BBCWatcher]

Following up on the "Can I get my monthly CPF LIFE payout at or above S$5,000?" question....

At least if you're age 55 or younger this year (2026), you almost certainly can! I've run some forecast simulations with these assumptions: annual ERS increases of about 3.5% (similar to the 2027 versus 2026 ERS increase), age 70 CPF LIFE payout start, the current CPF RA interest rates (4.0% p.a. plus bonus interest), and topping up your RA to the ERS 15 times, every time it's raised. With these assumptions, a male born in 1971 can probably boost his CPF LIFE Standard Plan monthly payout to about S$6,800 per month (2041 dollars). In fact, the CPF LIFE Escalating Plan should initially pay about S$5,500 per month with the same assumptions — meaning you should be able to get above S$5,000+ per month in real 2041 Singapore dollars for the rest of your life assuming 2%/year average inflation from 2041 onward. Payouts for female CPF members are slightly lower, but S$5,000+ is still achievable as long as you're not currently "too old" for these purposes.

If someone wants to check my math, I think if you're born in 1971 and the assumptions above apply you'll enter CPF LIFE at age 70 with roughly S$1,200,000 in total RA funds. And that's what's producing the payout figures cited above.

Please note that you should deflate 2041 Singapore dollars to translate them to 2026 Singapore dollars, to understand their real purchasing power in today's terms.

 

[sohguanh]

Just to inform in case ppl are not aware. Upon 55 when RA is created the FRS is count based on your monies in OA SA they DO NOT COUNT your cpf investment returns outside!!! This is ridiculous my cpf investment are using my OA SA so why their returns cannot be counted? OA SA interest (returns) they give you annually is counted though so funny ruling.

While cpf does not force me to sell my cpf investment they forbid me to do withdrawal of my cpf investment return until FRS is fulfilled. So in a way you may need to sell some of your cpf investment to top the RA to FRS.

Conclusion the FRS (or BRS) is the holy grail all must satisfy then can do other stuff of your own liking with your own monies.

 

[reddevil0728]

Just to inform in case ppl are not aware. Upon 55 when RA is created the FRS is count based on your monies in OA SA they DO NOT COUNT your cpf investment returns outside!!! This is ridiculous my cpf investment are using my OA SA so why their returns cannot be counted? OA SA interest (returns) they give you annually is counted though so funny ruling.

While cpf does not force me to sell my cpf investment they forbid me to do withdrawal of my cpf investment return until FRS is fulfilled. So in a way you may need to sell some of your cpf investment to top the RA to FRS.

Conclusion the FRS (or BRS) is the holy grail all must satisfy then can do other stuff of your own liking with your own monies.

do they know how much is the prevailing value of ur CPF investment outside? no right. then make sense ma. if later 0 how

 

[tehhalia]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

I mean, it’s just actuarial science after all right. They can calculate a fair value to payout at an earlier age, then cpf members can asses for themselves whether they want to delay or start, like those that don’t want to start at 65 but 70, ane vice versa.

Because I don’t know my life span can hit 65 or not, much less health span.

 

[reddevil0728]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

I mean, it’s just actuarial science after all right. They can calculate a fair value to payout at an earlier age, then cpf members can asses for themselves whether they want to delay or start, like those that don’t want to start at 65 but 70, ane vice versa.

I feel that this is a losing battle

more likely that if they change any rules is to allow to start even later than earlier.

 

[royalmix]

Just to inform in case ppl are not aware. Upon 55 when RA is created the FRS is count based on your monies in OA SA they DO NOT COUNT your cpf investment returns outside!!! This is ridiculous my cpf investment are using my OA SA so why their returns cannot be counted? OA SA interest (returns) they give you annually is counted though so funny ruling.

While cpf does not force me to sell my cpf investment they forbid me to do withdrawal of my cpf investment return until FRS is fulfilled. So in a way you may need to sell some of your cpf investment to top the RA to FRS.

Conclusion the FRS (or BRS) is the holy grail all must satisfy then can do other stuff of your own liking with your own monies.

Why are you still "executing SA shielding strategies" when SA will be closed at 55?

1. So your cash can earn 4% pa by topping up RA to meet FRS, and claim tax relief?

2. You can continue to hold on to your "losing investments" until the time is right to liquidate?

3. You can liquidate part of your investments to make up FRS? Then you can continue to hold the rest or liquidate and withdraw anytime?

These are some of the reasons?

 

[sohguanh]

Why are you still "executing SA shielding strategies" when SA will be closed at 55?

1. So your cash can earn 4% pa by topping up RA to meet FRS?

2. You can continue to hold on to your "losing investments" until the time is right to liquidate?

3. You can liquidate part of your investments to make up FRS? Then you can continue to hold the rest or liquidate and withdraw anytime?

These are some of the reasons?

1. I invest cpf in my 20s way before what term "SA shielding" is known. In fact I invest in aggressive and some balanced equities funds which SA shielding ppl seldom dare to do due to short time frame. My cpf investment is using fsmone and they how old my investment how old

2. Losing investment is definitely no. I show my Endowus and moomoo screenshots and with similar strategy for my cpf investment for 25+ years and counting

3. This is what I mean. Sell some to top RA to FRS. Then the rest sell can withdraw

 

[highsulphur]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

I mean, it’s just actuarial science after all right. They can calculate a fair value to payout at an earlier age, then cpf members can asses for themselves whether they want to delay or start, like those that don’t want to start at 65 but 70, ane vice versa.

Because I don’t know my life span can hit 65 or not, much less health span.

There some adverse selection here. People who would suggest earlier payout

1. I invest cpf in my 20s way before what term "SA shielding" is known. In fact I invest in aggressive and some balanced equities funds which SA shielding ppl seldom dare to do due to short time frame. My cpf investment is using fsmone and they how old my investment how old

2. Losing investment is definitely no. I show my Endowus and moomoo screenshots and with similar strategy for my cpf investment for 25+ years and counting

3. This is what I mean. Sell some to top RA to FRS. Then the rest sell can withdraw

What happens if you don't liquidate your investment after RA is formed?

 

[sohguanh]

There some adverse selection here. People who would suggest earlier payout

What happens if you don't liquidate your investment after RA is formed?

If you continue to work it flow into RA since FRS not achieved. If you no more working and you sell you cannot withdraw since RA FRS not achieved yet. So I guess you need to sell to top your RA to FRS. Once that is reached subsequent sell you can withdraw.

Conclusion RA FRS is die die must achieved so extra dollars can be withdrawn out

 

[sohguanh]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

I mean, it’s just actuarial science after all right. They can calculate a fair value to payout at an earlier age, then cpf members can asses for themselves whether they want to delay or start, like those that don’t want to start at 65 but 70, ane vice versa.

Because I don’t know my life span can hit 65 or not, much less health span.

You should get their hint when they keep saying we are living longer lives (plain BS becuz my father side all no cross 60 or 70). For me I bought endowment insurance to mature at age 55 and then 60. This coupled with my investment is how I plan when I am retired not working. 65 onwards use the govt mandatory force on us cpf life lor

 

[reddevil0728]

You should get their hint when they keep saying we are living longer lives (plain BS becuz my father side all no cross 60 or 70). For me I bought endowment insurance to mature at age 55 and then 60. This coupled with my investment is how I plan when I am retired not working. 65 onwards use the govt mandatory force on us cpf life lor

Erm statistics doesn’t work the way you are suggesting it to be

 

[BBCWatcher]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

FWIW U.S. Social Security offers a choice of retirement payout starting ages ranging from 62 to 70. The minimum age is reduced to 60 for surviving widows/widowers in some cases. About 26% of beneficiaries start collecting at 62 (2024 data).

However, CPF offers some advantages. First, there are lump sum withdrawal options from age 55. That’s a fairly reasonable “bridge” from 62 to 65. Second, the U.S. significantly reduces payouts before age 67 for those who continue to work and earn an income above a fairly low limit. (The idea is to discourage beneficiaries from starting payouts ”too early” if they’re still working.) CPF doesn’t penalize earnings if you retire “early.” In fact, many workers age 55+ can immediately get back a large portion of their compulsory contributions.

 

[havetheveryfun]

I hope cpf life can be more flexible to allow earlier start date, like 60 years old with lesser monthly payout of course.

I mean, it’s just actuarial science after all right. They can calculate a fair value to payout at an earlier age, then cpf members can asses for themselves whether they want to delay or start, like those that don’t want to start at 65 but 70, ane vice versa.

Because I don’t know my life span can hit 65 or not, much less health span.

they probably based it on the retirement age, 1 july 2026 retirement age will be 64 years old.

but allow withdrawal at 60 the amount will be much lesser. cos the minimum sum at age 55 is to let it compound for 10 years till 65 years old. so if withdraw at 60, you short of 5 years of compounding so the amount would be quite negligible anyway as it would be exponentially lesser.