CPF OA vs SA Interest Rate Singapore

CPF OA vs SA Interest Rate Singapore

The CPF Ordinary Account earns 2.5% p.a. while the Special Account earns 4% p.a. — a 1.5% gap that compounds significantly over a working lifetime. This is not financial advice.

Table of Contents

Contents — Click to expand
  1. OA Interest Rate
  2. SA Interest Rate
  3. OA vs SA Comparison Table
  4. OA to SA Transfer
  5. Extra Interest on First S0,000
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

OA Interest Rate

The CPF Ordinary Account earns a minimum of 2.5% per annum, guaranteed by the Singapore government. The rate is reviewed quarterly, pegged to the 3-month average of major local banks’ savings rates with a 2.5% floor. As at Q1 2026, the OA rate remains at 2.5% p.a. OA funds can be used for housing (HDB/private property), education, investment via CPFIS-OA, and insurance premiums.

SA Interest Rate

The CPF Special Account earns a minimum of 4% per annum — 1.5 percentage points higher than OA. The rate is pegged to the 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities plus 1%, subject to a 4% floor. SA funds are earmarked for retirement with restricted uses (cannot be used for housing). Note: As of 1 January 2025, the SA is closed for members aged 55+. See CPF SA Closure 2025.

OA vs SA Comparison Table

Feature OA SA
Interest Rate (2026) 2.5% p.a. 4% p.a.
Housing Use Yes No
CPFIS Yes (OA instruments) Limited
Closed at 55? No Yes (from Jan 2025)
Primary Purpose Housing, education, investment Retirement accumulation

OA to SA Transfer

Members below 55 can voluntarily transfer OA funds to SA via the CPF Board portal. This transfer is one-way and irreversible. S0,000 in OA at 2.5% grows to ~S0,000 over 20 years; the same in SA at 4% grows to ~S10,000 — a S0,000 compounding difference. See CPF OA to SA Transfer Singapore for details.

Extra Interest on First S0,000

CPF members earn an extra 1% on the first S0,000 of combined CPF balances (capped at S0,000 for OA). Members aged 55+ earn an extra 2% on the first S0,000 and 1% on the next S0,000. This extra interest is credited to the SA or RA. See CPF OA Interest Rate for additional context.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CPF OA interest rate in 2026?
2.5% per annum as at Q1 2026 — the floor rate, as domestic bank savings rates have not exceeded it for many years.
What is the CPF SA interest rate in 2026?
4% per annum for members below 55 with an active SA. Members aged 55+ have their SA closed; RA balances also earn 4%.
Should I transfer OA to SA?
If you do not need OA for housing and want a guaranteed higher return, transferring to SA at 4% vs 2.5% makes mathematical sense. But the transfer is irreversible — consider your housing plans carefully.
How much extra interest on the first S0,000?
An extra 1% p.a. on the first S0,000 of combined CPF balances (max S0,000 for OA). This extra interest is credited to the SA or RA.
Is the CPF SA interest rate guaranteed?
Yes. The 4% SA interest has a legislative floor guarantee — even if market rates fall below 4%, the SA earns at least 4% p.a.