How to Top Up Your Medisave in Singapore (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)
Complete guide to topping up your CPF Medisave Account — covering the 2026 BHS cap, tax relief eligibility, payment methods, and whether it is worth doing.
Topping up your Medisave Account in Singapore is straightforward: log in to my.cpf.gov.sg, navigate to MediSave top-up, and pay via PayNow or GIRO. You can top up until your balance reaches the 2026 Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) of $75,500. Voluntary top-ups may qualify for tax relief under CPF Voluntary Contribution Relief, saving you money at tax time.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data as at July 2026. Always verify current limits at cpf.gov.sg.
- Top up Medisave via CPF e-Cashier (PayNow or GIRO) up to the 2026 BHS cap of $75,500.
- Voluntary top-ups may qualify for CPF Voluntary Contribution Tax Relief and lower your income tax bill.
- Self-employed Singaporeans must contribute to MA if net trade income exceeds $6,000 per year and may deduct it from taxable income.
What Is Your Medisave Account?
Your Medisave Account (MA) is one of three CPF accounts. The other two are the Ordinary Account (OA) and the Special Account (SA).
The MA is dedicated to healthcare. You use it for approved hospital stays, day surgeries, selected outpatient treatments, and MediShield Life premium deductions. The CPF Board automatically deducts MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plan premiums from your MA each month.
Your MA earns a guaranteed 4% interest per year — higher than most savings accounts and fixed deposits. It compounds quietly, growing your healthcare nest egg without any effort on your part.
However, your MA has a cap — the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS). Once you hit the BHS, excess contributions flow to your SA (below 55) or Retirement Account (55 and above). This is why knowing the 2026 BHS matters before you top up.
For the complete picture on how Medisave fits into your overall CPF investment strategy Singapore, including how OA, SA, and MA interact, that guide covers everything.
Why Should You Top Up Medisave?
Most employed Singaporeans already receive mandatory CPF contributions into their MA every month. So why top up voluntarily?
Three reasons make it worth considering.
Tax relief. Voluntary MA top-ups may qualify for CPF Voluntary Contribution Tax Relief. If you are in the 11.5% income tax bracket or higher, the savings at year-end assessment are real and meaningful.
Self-employment obligation. If you freelance or run a business, you do not receive employer CPF contributions. The CPF Board requires you to contribute to MA based on your net trade income. Topping up beyond the minimum builds your healthcare buffer and reduces taxable income simultaneously.
Healthcare security in retirement. Singapore healthcare costs rise every year. A larger MA balance means your Integrated Shield Plan premiums are covered automatically without touching your cash savings. It also provides a larger co-payment buffer if you need hospitalisation.
Use our Singapore retirement calculator to see how boosting your MA now affects your projected retirement healthcare coverage.
Who Can Top Up Medisave in Singapore?
You can top up Medisave if you are a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident with a CPF account and your MA balance is below the BHS.
You can also top up for family members. Eligible recipients include your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, siblings, and children — as long as they are CPF members.
Foreigners on work passes cannot top up Medisave because they are not CPF members. There is no minimum age to top up — starting early lets 4% interest compound over more years.
How Much Can You Top Up? The 2026 BHS Cap
The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is the maximum balance allowed in your MA. The CPF Board adjusts it annually to keep pace with healthcare inflation.
Your maximum top-up = $75,500 minus your current MA balance. If your MA has $45,000 today, you can contribute up to $30,500.
| Year | Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $63,000 | — |
| 2022 | $66,000 | +$3,000 |
| 2023 | $68,500 | +$2,500 |
| 2024 | $71,500 | +$3,000 |
| 2025 | $74,500 | +$3,000 |
| 2026 | $75,500 | +$1,000 |
Source: CPF Board, 2026. BHS figures are approximate — verify at cpf.gov.sg.
There is also the CPF Annual Limit of $37,740. Your total voluntary CPF contributions across all accounts cannot exceed this limit minus your mandatory contributions received during the year. For most people, the BHS is the binding constraint. Check your exact headroom by logging into the CPF website. For a full breakdown, see our Medisave limit 2026 Singapore guide.
How to Top Up Medisave in Singapore: Step-by-Step
There are three methods. The CPF e-Cashier with PayNow is fastest and most widely used.
Method 1: CPF e-Cashier via PayNow (Recommended)
- Go to my.cpf.gov.sg and log in with Singpass.
- Under the “MediSave” section, click “Top up MediSave Account”.
- Select “Top up my own MediSave” or “Top up for a family member”.
- Enter the amount. The system shows your maximum allowable top-up automatically.
- Choose PayNow and scan the QR code with your banking app.
- Your MA is credited instantly. You receive an SMS confirmation from CPF.
Method 2: GIRO (Recurring Monthly Top-Up)
Set up a GIRO arrangement via the CPF website for automated monthly contributions. This is ideal for spreading your annual top-up across 12 payments. GIRO deductions typically credit to your MA within 1 to 3 business days.
Method 3: Internet Banking Transfer
Transfer funds to CPF using your bank’s internet banking portal. You will need the CPF Board’s bank account details (available on the CPF website) and your NRIC as the transaction reference. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days.
Regardless of method, you will receive a CPF statement confirming the top-up the following month.
Medisave Top-Up Tax Relief — What You Are Entitled To
This is where topping up becomes genuinely attractive. There are two separate tax relief pathways depending on your employment status.
For Employed Persons: CPF Voluntary Contribution Relief
Voluntary top-ups to your MA qualify for CPF Voluntary Contribution Tax Relief. The cap is: CPF Annual Limit ($37,740) minus your mandatory CPF contributions for the year.
Here is a worked example. Say you earned $80,000 in 2026. Your employer contributed $11,200 (14% rate) and you contributed $16,000 (20% employee rate). Total mandatory: $27,200. Your remaining headroom: $37,740 − $27,200 = $10,540. Top up MA by $10,540 and deduct the full amount from taxable income. At 11.5%, that saves $1,212. At 15%, it saves $1,581. At 22%, it saves $2,319.
For Self-Employed Persons: MediSave Relief
If you are self-employed, mandatory MA contributions are fully deductible from your assessable income. Voluntary top-ups above the mandatory minimum may also qualify for tax relief under CPF Voluntary Contributions, subject to the Annual Limit.
The Medisave Singapore guide covers the full calculation method for self-employed contribution rates.
| Top-Up Amount | Tax Saving at 11.5% | Tax Saving at 15% | Tax Saving at 22% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $575 | $750 | $1,100 |
| $8,000 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,760 |
| $10,000 | $1,150 | $1,500 | $2,200 |
| $15,000 | $1,725 | $2,250 | $3,300 |
Source: IRAS, CPF Board, July 2026. Assumes relief falls within CPF Annual Limit headroom. Not financial advice — verify at iras.gov.sg.
Is Topping Up Your Medisave Worth It in 2026?
Whether it makes sense depends on your tax bracket, current MA balance, and overall financial priorities. Here is a clear breakdown.
Top Up Medisave if you…
- Are self-employed — you need to contribute to MA anyway, and voluntary top-ups reduce taxable income further.
- Are in the 11.5% tax bracket or above — the tax savings justify locking money in a 4%-guaranteed healthcare account.
- Have MA balance well below $75,500 — plenty of room to earn 4% guaranteed interest.
- Want Integrated Shield Plan premiums covered automatically in retirement — a larger MA ensures premiums never hit your bank account directly.
Consider alternatives first if you…
- Have not maxed SA top-ups yet — SA top-ups under RSTU also earn 4%, attract up to $8,000 tax relief per year for own account, and are slightly more flexible at 55. Prioritise SA first if you still have room.
- Need the cash for near-term expenses — Medisave is healthcare-restricted. Once in, you cannot withdraw for other purposes.
- Are already at BHS ($75,500) — excess contributions automatically go to SA from mandatory CPF contributions anyway.
- Are in a low tax bracket (below 7%) — the tax savings are minimal and may not justify the liquidity trade-off.
For Singaporeans using Endowus to invest CPF-OA funds in unit trusts or funds, note that Medisave is a separate account from OA. MA cannot be invested in CPF-IS — it is exclusively for healthcare.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor or contact the CPF Board directly for guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I top up my Medisave in 2026?
You can top up your Medisave Account up to the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) of $75,500 in 2026. Your maximum top-up is $75,500 minus your current MA balance. For example, if your MA has $50,000, you can contribute up to $25,500. Your top-up must also fit within the CPF Annual Limit of $37,740 minus your mandatory CPF contributions for the year. Log in to my.cpf.gov.sg to see your exact headroom.
Is there tax relief for Medisave top-ups in Singapore?
Yes. Voluntary top-ups to your Medisave Account may qualify for CPF Voluntary Contribution Tax Relief. The relief amount equals your voluntary contribution, capped at the difference between the CPF Annual Limit ($37,740) and your mandatory CPF contributions for the year. For self-employed persons, mandatory MA contributions are separately deductible as MediSave Relief. Always verify your eligibility at iras.gov.sg before making top-up decisions based solely on tax relief.
Can I top up my parents Medisave Account?
Yes. You can top up the Medisave Account of your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, siblings, and children, as long as they are CPF members with MA balances below the BHS. You may also qualify for additional tax relief on top-ups made for immediate family members. Check IRAS for the current limits applicable to family Medisave top-ups, as the rules differ slightly from your own MA top-up relief.
What happens when my Medisave reaches the BHS?
Once your Medisave Account hits the Basic Healthcare Sum ($75,500 in 2026), CPF stops channelling new contributions into MA. For members below age 55, contributions that would normally go to MA are redirected to the Special Account (SA). For members aged 55 and above, they go to the Retirement Account (RA). Your mandatory CPF contributions continue unchanged — they just flow to a different account once MA is full.
What can I use my Medisave for?
Your Medisave Account can be used for: inpatient hospitalisation and day surgery at approved Singapore hospitals; selected outpatient treatments such as kidney dialysis and cancer chemotherapy; MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plan premiums up to approved withdrawal limits; and approved health screenings. Medisave cannot be used for routine GP consultations, general dental treatment, or non-approved outpatient visits. Check the CPF website for the full approved list.
Is it better to top up Medisave or Special Account?
Both earn 4% guaranteed interest and may qualify for tax relief, but the mechanisms differ. SA top-ups under the Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme (RSTU) offer a specific tax relief of up to $8,000 per year for your own SA (plus another $8,000 for eligible family members). MA top-ups qualify under CPF Voluntary Contribution Relief, capped by Annual Limit headroom. For most employed Singaporeans with SA below the Full Retirement Sum, topping up SA first tends to be more tax-efficient. Once SA reaches the FRS, additional CPF contributions flow to MA anyway. Consult the CPF Board or a financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Can foreigners top up Medisave in Singapore?
No. Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are CPF members can top up a Medisave Account. Foreign nationals working in Singapore on employment passes or work permits are not CPF members and cannot access or top up Medisave. If you are a new PR, your CPF account is set up automatically once your PR status is approved and your employer registers your first CPF contribution.
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