Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify with CPF Board (cpf.gov.sg) for the latest rates and rules. Last updated May 2026.
EP vs PR vs CitizenThe 4 CPF accountsContribution ratesInterest ratesWhat you can use CPF forSRS for EP holdersLeaving SingaporeFAQ
EP vs PR vs Citizen — who gets CPF?
This is the most important thing to understand first.
You now
EP / S Pass holder
✗No CPF contributions (you or employer)
✗No MediSave for medical bills
✗Cannot use CPF for housing
✓Can open SRS for tax relief
✓Higher take-home pay (no deductions)
You keep full salary but have no mandatory retirement savings.
After PR approval
PR (Year 1–2)
✓CPF at graduated rates (9% Year 1, 24% Year 2)
✓MediSave starts immediately
✓OA can be used for housing after 3 years of PR
✓Can still use SRS
✗Lower take-home due to CPF deductions
Transition period — lower CPF rates ease the adjustment.
Full status
PR (Year 3+) / Citizen
✓Full CPF: 20% employee + 17% employer = 37%
✓Full MediSave coverage
✓OA usable for HDB resale flat
✓CPF LIFE retirement payouts from age 65
✗Take-home 20% lower than EP equivalent
Employer effectively pays 17% on top of your salary.
The 4 CPF accounts
Once you become PR, your contributions are split across these accounts automatically.
OA
Ordinary Account
2.5% p.a.
◆HDB housing loan repayment
◆CPF-approved investments (CPFIS)
◆Education loan repayment
◆Home insurance
💡 Most flexible account. Bulk of your contributions go here.
SA
Special Account
4.0% p.a.
◆Long-term retirement savings only
◆Limited CPF-approved investments
◆Closed at age 55 — funds move to RA
💡 Closed since Jan 2025 at age 55. Best compounding account.
MA
MediSave Account
4.0% p.a.
◆Hospitalisation bills
◆Day surgery
◆MediShield Life premiums
◆Approved outpatient treatments
💡 Capped at Basic Healthcare Sum (~S$71,500 in 2026). Excess overflows to OA.
RA
Retirement Account
4.0% p.a.
◆Created at age 55 from OA + SA
◆Funds CPF LIFE monthly payouts from age 65
◆Cannot be used for housing or investments
💡 Full Retirement Sum (FRS) is S$220,400 in 2026.
Contribution rates
Rates vary by age and PR year. OW ceiling: S$8,000/month from Jan 2026.
Interest rates (2026)
CPF interest is guaranteed by the government — not market-linked.
Bonus interest summary: You earn an extra 1% p.a. on the first S$60,000 of combined CPF balances (capped at S$20,000 for OA). If you're 55+, an additional 1% on the first S$30,000. So effectively, OA can earn up to 3.5% and SA/MA/RA up to 5% for balances below the cap.
What you can use CPF for
Once you're a PR, your CPF opens up several practical uses.
🏠
Housing
Uses OA
✓Pay HDB resale flat (after 3 years PR)
✓Monthly mortgage repayment
✓HDB housing loan down payment
✓Private property (additional restrictions apply)
⚠ Cannot buy HDB BTO as PR
🏥
Healthcare
Uses MA
✓Hospitalisation bills
✓Day surgery costs
✓MediShield Life premiums (auto-deducted)
✓Approved outpatient treatments
⚠ MA capped at Basic Healthcare Sum (~S$71,500)
📈
Investment
Uses OA + SA
✓Stocks & ETFs via CPFIS (OA above S$20K)
✓Unit trusts and bonds
✓Gold (up to 10% of OA)
✓SA usable above S$40K (very limited options)
⚠ Investment returns not guaranteed — CPF interest is safer
SRS — the EP holder's alternative to CPF
If you're on EP or S Pass, the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) is how you save for retirement with tax benefits.
How SRS works
Who can open it
Anyone earning income in Singapore (EP, S Pass, PR, citizen)
Annual contribution cap (foreigners)
S$35,700/year
Annual contribution cap (PR/citizen)
S$15,300/year
Tax relief
Dollar-for-dollar on contributions, up to S$80,000 total relief cap
Where to open
DBS, OCBC, or UOB — one account only
Returns
0.05% base interest — must invest to grow
✓ Advantages
· Immediate tax relief — reduces your income tax bill
· Investment returns are tax-free before withdrawal
· Only 50% of withdrawals taxed at retirement
· Foreigners can withdraw penalty-free after 10 years from first contribution
⚠ Watch out
· Early withdrawal: 5% penalty + fully taxable
· SRS money doesn't earn interest — you must invest it
· Home country may still tax SRS withdrawals
· Once first withdrawal made, no more contributions allowed
Leaving Singapore — what happens to your CPF?
This is one of the most common questions from JB commuters considering PR.
Common questions
Official resources