CPF Interest Calculator Singapore 2026
See exactly how much interest your OA, SA, MA and RA balances will earn — free calculator using official Q3 2026 CPF rates, in SGD.
Your Details
Assumes no new contributions or withdrawals — interest-only growth on your current balances at Q3 2026 rates (OA 2.5%, SA/MA/RA 4%, plus extra interest tiers). If your projection window crosses your 55th birthday, results are directional only — the calculator does not model the one-time SA closure and transfer to RA that happens at age 55.
Your CPF Interest Estimate
Understanding CPF Interest for Singapore Savers
The CPF (Central Provident Fund) pays some of the highest risk-free interest rates available to Singaporeans and PRs — up to 6% per annum on the first S$60,000 of your combined balances once extra interest tiers are included. Yet most members have never actually worked out what that means in dollar terms for their own Ordinary Account (OA), Special Account (SA), Medisave Account (MA) or Retirement Account (RA) balances. This calculator uses the official CPF Board interest rates for 1 July to 30 September 2026 to show your interest earned this year, broken down by account, plus a multi-year projection assuming no further contributions or withdrawals.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Rates shown are the official Q3 2026 (Jul-Sep) CPF rates and are reviewed quarterly (OA) and annually (SA/MA/RA), so re-check the calculator each quarter if you're tracking precisely.
Why CPF Interest Rates Matter More Than People Realise
At 4% p.a. on SA, MA and RA balances, CPF beats every Singapore bank savings account and most fixed deposits without any lock-in or market risk — and it's backed by the Singapore Government. For a 35-year-old with a combined S$50,000 across OA, SA and MA, that's often S$1,500-S$2,000 a year in interest alone, compounding silently in the background. Understanding exactly how much you're earning — and which account it lands in — helps you decide whether to leave savings in CPF, top up voluntarily, or invest elsewhere for potentially higher (but not risk-free) returns.
Base Rates vs Extra Interest: The Two Layers
CPF interest has two layers. The base rate applies to your full balance in each account: 2.5% for OA, and 4% for SA, MA and RA. On top of that, an extra interest layer pays an additional 1% (below 55) or a tiered 2%/1% (55 and above) on your first S$60,000 of combined balances, with a cap of S$20,000 counted from your OA. This calculator models both layers precisely so you can see your true blended return.
How to Use This CPF Interest Calculator
- Select your age band: Choose "Below 55" or "55 and above" — this determines whether you have a Special Account (SA) or a Retirement Account (RA), since SA is closed once you turn 55.
- Enter your account balances: Key in your current OA, SA (or RA), and MA balances in SGD — check your latest balance in the CPF mobile app or member portal.
- Set your projection period: Drag the slider from 1 to 30 years to see how your total CPF balance compounds if no further contributions or withdrawals are made.
- Read your results: The calculator instantly shows this year's total interest, the extra interest portion, your blended effective rate, and a chart of projected balance growth.
Pro tip: Run this alongside our CPF Contribution Calculator to see how new monthly contributions — not just interest — will grow your balances over time.
Contents - Click to Expand
- What Is CPF Interest and How Is It Calculated?
- How CPF Interest Works: OA, SA, MA and RA Rates Explained
- Extra Interest: Below 55 vs 55 and Above
- Should You Top Up CPF or Invest Elsewhere?
- The 2025 Special Account Closure: What Changed at 55
- Using CPF Interest in Your Retirement Income Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is CPF Interest and How Is It Calculated?
Every dollar in your CPF Ordinary, Special, Medisave and Retirement Accounts earns interest, credited once a year in January and compounded annually. The rate depends on which account the money sits in: OA earns the lowest rate because it's the most liquid (usable for housing, insurance and approved investments), while SA, MA and RA earn a higher long-term rate because they're meant to stay untouched until retirement or specific approved uses. CPF interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance in each account for that month, then summed and credited yearly — this calculator simplifies that into an annual estimate using your current balance, which is accurate enough for planning purposes even though CPF's actual monthly-compounding method can differ slightly from a simple year-end estimate.
How CPF Interest Works: OA, SA, MA and RA Rates Explained
For the current quarter (1 July-30 September 2026), the Ordinary Account (OA) earns 2.5% per annum — this rate is reviewed quarterly and pegged to a formula based on major local banks' interest rates, subject to a legislated 2.5% floor. The Special Account (SA), Medisave Account (MA) and Retirement Account (RA) all earn 4% per annum, reviewed annually and subject to a 4% floor under the CPF Act. So on a S$40,000 SA balance alone, that's S$1,600 a year in base interest — before any extra interest is added.
Extra Interest: Below 55 vs 55 and Above
CPF members below 55 earn an extra 1% interest on the first S$60,000 of their combined OA, SA and MA balances, capped at S$20,000 counted from OA. This extra interest is credited into the SA, giving it a further boost. Members aged 55 and above get a more generous tiered structure: an extra 2% on the first S$30,000 of combined balances, and an extra 1% on the next S$30,000 — again capped at S$20,000 from OA per tier — credited into the RA. In practice this means a 55-year-old with a fully-funded Retirement Account can earn a blended rate approaching 6% on part of their savings, which is difficult to match with any equivalent-risk product in Singapore.
| Account | Base Rate | Extra Interest (Below 55) | Extra Interest (55 & Above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OA | 2.5% | +1% (first $60k combined, up to $20k from OA) | +2%/+1% tiered (first $60k combined, up to $20k from OA per tier) |
| SA / RA | 4.0% | Credited here | Credited here (RA) |
| MA | 4.0% | Included in the $60k combined-balance cap | |
Should You Top Up CPF or Invest Elsewhere?
Because SA/RA interest is a guaranteed 4% with no market risk, many Singaporeans voluntarily top up their CPF (via Retirement Sum Topping-Up) purely to capture this rate, on top of the tax relief. Whether that beats investing depends entirely on your time horizon and risk appetite: a globally diversified equity portfolio has historically returned more than 4% a year over long periods, but with meaningful volatility and no guarantee. If you'd rather invest your SRS or cash savings through a platform instead of topping up CPF, brokers like Endowus and Syfe let you build a diversified portfolio, while FSMOne is popular for lower-cost unit trust access. Many Singaporeans do both — topping up CPF for the guaranteed 4% floor while investing separately for higher expected long-term returns.
The 2025 Special Account Closure: What Changed at 55
Since 19 January 2025, the Special Account has been closed for all CPF members aged 55 and above — a change that affects nearly every retiree's CPF interest calculation. When your SA closes, savings are transferred to your Retirement Account up to your cohort's Full Retirement Sum (FRS), where they continue earning the same 4% (plus extra interest tiers); any remaining SA savings move to your OA, earning only 2.5%, though you can withdraw them or voluntarily transfer them to RA (up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum) to keep earning the higher rate — note this transfer is irreversible. This is exactly why our calculator asks whether you're below 55 or 55-and-above: the account structure genuinely changes, and using the wrong account type will overstate or understate your real interest.
Using CPF Interest in Your Retirement Income Plan
CPF interest compounding quietly in the background is one of the most underrated pillars of a Singaporean's retirement plan — often overlooked next to S-REIT dividends, dividend stocks or annuities. Because RA balances feed directly into your CPF LIFE monthly payout from age 65, every dollar of interest earned before drawdown effectively raises your future retirement income for life. If you're building a full retirement plan, run your numbers through our Retirement Planning Calculator to see how CPF interest fits alongside S-REIT dividends and other passive income sources — see our Passive Income Singapore guide for the bigger picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current CPF interest rate in Singapore for 2026?
For Q3 2026 (1 July-30 September), the Ordinary Account earns 2.5% per annum, while the Special Account, Medisave Account and Retirement Account all earn 4% per annum. OA is reviewed quarterly; SA/MA/RA rates are reviewed annually, both subject to legislated floors.
How much extra interest can I earn on my CPF balances?
If you're below 55, you earn an extra 1% on the first S$60,000 of your combined OA, SA and MA balances (capped at S$20,000 from OA), credited to your SA. If you're 55 or above, you earn an extra 2% on the first S$30,000 and an extra 1% on the next S$30,000 of combined balances, credited to your RA.
Is CPF interest a good return compared to other Singapore savings options?
Yes — 4% p.a. on SA/MA/RA with zero market risk beats almost every Singapore bank fixed deposit and savings account. It's one of the reasons many Singaporeans voluntarily top up their CPF accounts purely to capture the guaranteed rate.
What happens to my Special Account when I turn 55?
Your SA is closed. Savings transfer to your Retirement Account up to your cohort's Full Retirement Sum, continuing to earn 4% plus extra interest. Any remaining SA savings move to your OA, earning only 2.5%, unless you choose to voluntarily (and irreversibly) transfer them to RA up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum.
Does CPF interest compound automatically?
Yes. Interest is computed monthly on your lowest balance that month, summed up, and credited once a year in January — after which it becomes part of your principal and starts earning interest itself the following year.
Can I withdraw the interest earned on my CPF accounts?
Interest credited to SA, MA and RA generally follows the same withdrawal rules as the principal in those accounts — it isn't freely withdrawable before the relevant age or purpose (e.g. property, insurance, retirement payouts). Interest credited to OA can be used for the same approved purposes as your OA principal.
Should I top up my CPF SA or RA just to earn the extra interest?
Many Singaporeans do this deliberately, since 4% (or up to 6% within the extra-interest tiers) is difficult to match risk-free elsewhere. It makes most sense if you don't need the cash liquidity and are comfortable with CPF's withdrawal restrictions — see the "Should You Top Up CPF or Invest Elsewhere?" section above for a fuller comparison.
How is CPF Medisave (MA) interest different from OA and SA?
MA earns the same 4% base rate as SA/RA, and its balance also counts toward the S$60,000 combined-balance cap for extra interest. However, MA has its own separate Basic Healthcare Sum ceiling — once MA is full, further contributions overflow into SA (below 55) or RA (55 and above) instead.
Why does this calculator ask if I'm below or above 55?
Because the account structure genuinely changes at 55 — SA closes and RA becomes the higher-interest account holding your retirement savings, and the extra-interest tiers become more generous (2%/1% instead of a flat 1%). Selecting the correct age band ensures the calculator applies the right rates and account labels.
Plan Your Full Retirement Picture
CPF interest is just one piece of the puzzle. Use our free tools and referral bonuses to put your knowledge into action.