CPF Ordinary Account Interest Rate 2026
For informational purposes only — not financial advice.
The CPF Ordinary Account (OA) interest rate in 2026 is 2.5% per annum — a government-legislated minimum floor. Members below 55 earn an additional 1% on the first S$20,000 of OA (effective 3.5%). Interest is calculated daily and credited annually, making OA a reliable, risk-free savings component for housing, education, and CPFIS investments.
CPF OA Interest Rate in 2026
The OA pays a minimum 2.5% p.a. legislated under the CPF Act — the government guarantees this floor regardless of market rates. Members below 55 earn an extra 1% on the first S$20,000 of OA (subject to the combined S$60,000 CPF balance cap), giving an effective 3.5% on that amount. Interest is calculated on the daily closing balance and credited on 1 January each year.
OA vs SA and MA Rates Comparison
| Account | 2026 Rate | Extra Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Account (OA) | 2.5% p.a. | +1% on first S$20K of OA |
| Special Account (SA) | 4.0% p.a. | Within S$60K combined cap |
| MediSave Account (MA) | 4.0% p.a. | Within S$60K combined cap |
OA-to-SA transfers earn 1.5% more but are irreversible. Ensure sufficient OA for housing before transferring. Long-term compounding at 4% vs 2.5% is substantial — a S$50K transfer at 35 grows ~S$58K more by 65. See our CPF Investment Strategy.
CPFIS Investing vs Leaving Money in OA
CPFIS lets you invest OA savings in SGX ETFs and unit trusts. The hurdle: you must beat 2.5% (plus 1% on first S$20K) net of fees. Low-cost index ETFs and S-REIT ETFs have historically beaten this threshold over 10+ years. CPF’s own data shows many retail CPFIS investors underperformed the OA floor — discipline and low costs are key. See: Singapore REIT ETF Guide and our CPF OA/SA Allocation Calculator.
How to Maximise CPF OA Returns in 2026
Key strategies: (1) Voluntary top-ups to SA for higher 4% rate (irreversible). (2) Invest via CPFIS in diversified, low-cost ETFs if you have a 10+ year horizon. (3) Claim CPF Cash Top-Up tax relief (up to S$8,000 deductible per YA). (4) Use the Retirement Planning Calculator to model scenarios. (5) Monitor the OA rate vs bank rates quarterly — if rates rise above 2.5%, the OA rate may also adjust upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CPF OA interest rate in 2026?
2.5% per annum — the legislated minimum floor. An additional 1% p.a. is paid on the first S$20,000 of OA for members below age 55.
Is CPF OA interest calculated daily?
Yes. Interest is calculated on the daily closing balance and credited on 1 January each year for the preceding year’s interest.
Can I earn more than 2.5% on CPF OA?
Yes — the first S$20,000 of OA earns 3.5% effective (2.5% + 1% extra interest), subject to the S$60,000 combined CPF balance cap for extra interest.
Should I transfer OA to SA?
An OA-to-SA transfer earns 1.5% more (4% vs 2.5%) and is irreversible. Ensure sufficient OA for housing needs before transferring. The long-term compounding benefit is significant.
Is the CPF OA rate guaranteed?
Yes — the 2.5% floor is legislated and cannot fall below this level regardless of market interest rate movements.