Your CPF is kept in separate accounts, each with its own purpose and interest rate.
The accounts
- Ordinary Account (OA): for housing, education, insurance and approved investments.
- Special Account (SA): for retirement, for members below 55.
- MediSave Account (MA): for healthcare costs and approved insurance.
- Retirement Account (RA): created at 55 to give you monthly payouts in retirement.
The interest rates
| Account | Base rate a year |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Account | 2.5% |
| Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts | 4% |
The 4% rate on Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts has a floor, which the government has extended to 31 December 2026.
Extra interest
On top of the base rates, you earn extra interest on your combined balances:
- Below 55: an extra 1% on the first S$60,000. Up to S$20,000 of that can come from your Ordinary Account.
- 55 and above: an extra 2% on the first S$30,000 and an extra 1% on the next S$30,000. Up to S$20,000 of that can come from your Ordinary Account.
Extra interest earned on Ordinary Account money is paid into your Special or Retirement Account. This helps your retirement savings grow faster.
Why it matters
A Special Account balance at 4% grows much faster than money sitting in an Ordinary Account at 2.5%. Over 25 years that gap is large. That is why people sometimes top up their Special Account before 55. See what you could have at 55.
Things to know
- Using your Ordinary Account for housing means less is left for retirement.
- Interest rates can change. Check the CPF Board each quarter.
- Look at your own statement for exact balances.
Sources
- CPF Board: What are the CPF interest rates?
- CPF Board: CPF interest rates and Basic Healthcare Sum for 2026
- CPF Board: CPF allocation rates from January 2026
This article is for education and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are checked against the sources above and may change. Read the full disclaimer.