CPF MediSave Calculator Singapore 2026
Track your MediSave contributions by age, project your Basic Healthcare Sum timeline, and plan your healthcare savings — free calculator with real-time SGD results.
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CPF rates & BHS as at 2025. Verify at cpf.gov.sg. Not financial advice.
Understanding CPF MediSave for Singapore Investors
MediSave is one of three core CPF accounts and the only one ring-fenced specifically for healthcare. Every working Singaporean and Permanent Resident contributes a portion of their monthly CPF to MediSave automatically — ranging from 8% of gross wages at age 34 and below, to 10.5% for those aged 45 and above (capped at the Ordinary Wage Ceiling of $7,400/month as at 2025). Unlike the Ordinary Account, MediSave earns a guaranteed 4% per annum — the highest of any CPF account — and the balance grows tax-free.
For retail investors and retirement planners, understanding how MediSave accumulates is critical. Once your MediSave balance reaches the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS of $71,500 in 2025), any excess contributions flow into your Special Account (if under 55) or Retirement Account, accelerating your retirement corpus. This interplay means MediSave is not just a healthcare buffer — it is a backdoor retirement top-up mechanism.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. CPF contribution rates and BHS as at Q1 2026 — verify at CPF Board.
What Is the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS)?
The BHS is the maximum amount CPF will “hold” in your MediSave Account. For 2025 it is set at $71,500. If your MediSave balance is at or above the BHS, any further MediSave contributions automatically overflow into your SA (before age 55) or RA (after 55). This overflow effectively boosts your retirement savings passively, making hitting the BHS a key milestone in your CPF journey. The BHS increases each year in line with healthcare inflation — historically by $1,000–$2,500 annually.
How CPF MediSave Allocation Works by Age
Your CPF contributions are split across OA, SA, and MA based on your age band. The MediSave allocation increases with age (reflecting rising healthcare needs), while the OA share decreases. At 35 and below, 8% of your wages goes to MediSave; by age 45 this rises to 10.5%. This age-based escalation means older workers accumulate MediSave faster — and are also more likely to spend it on hospitalisation, day surgery, and approved insurance premiums such as MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans.
How to Use This CPF MediSave Calculator
- Set your age: Drag the slider to your current age. The calculator automatically applies the correct MediSave allocation rate for your age band (e.g. 9% for ages 35–44).
- Enter your monthly gross salary: Drag the salary slider. The calculator caps contributions at the Ordinary Wage Ceiling of $7,400/month — income above this does not attract CPF.
- Input your current MediSave balance: Type your latest CPF MediSave balance (check the CPF app or my.cpf.gov.sg). If unsure, leave the default at $10,000.
- Read your results: The four metric cards show your monthly and annual MA contribution, projected years to reach the BHS, and your projected MediSave balance at age 55. The progress bar and chart show your BHS trajectory over time.
The chart projects your balance growth assuming a constant salary and 4% annual interest compounded monthly. Salary increases, promotions, or MediSave usage for premiums will change the actual trajectory.
Pro tip: Pair this tool with our CPF OA/SA Allocation Calculator to see the full picture of how your CPF contributions are split across all three accounts.
What Is CPF MediSave?
CPF MediSave (also written as the MediSave Account, or MA) is one of the three main CPF accounts — alongside the Ordinary Account (OA) and Special Account (SA) — mandated for all Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who are employed or self-employed. Contributions begin when you enter the workforce and continue until retirement. The account was introduced in 1984 as part of Singapore’s national healthcare financing strategy, pre-funding hospitalisation and outpatient costs so that Singaporeans do not face catastrophic healthcare bills.
Every working Singaporean contributes between 8% and 10.5% of their monthly wages into MediSave, depending on their age band (see the table in the calculator). Employers also contribute their share, which is included in the combined CPF rate. For a typical 30-year-old earning $5,000/month, this translates to $400/month or $4,800/year flowing into MediSave — growing at a guaranteed 4% per annum. Unlike many savings vehicles in Singapore, MediSave cannot be invested in equities or bonds, but its guaranteed 4% interest — higher than any current bank savings rate — makes it a reliable low-risk accumulator within the CPF system.
A critical feature of MediSave: once your balance reaches the Basic Healthcare Sum ($71,500 in 2025), no further mandatory contributions are required specifically for MediSave — any excess flows into your SA or RA. This “overflow” feature is one of the hidden mechanics that accelerates CPF retirement savings for those who hit the BHS early.
How MediSave Contributions Are Calculated
The monthly MediSave contribution is calculated as: MediSave Contribution = MediSave Rate × min(Monthly Salary, OWC), where the Ordinary Wage Ceiling (OWC) is $7,400/month from January 2025. This means salary above $7,400/month attracts no further MediSave contributions on the ordinary wage (though Additional Wage contributions apply separately up to the Annual Wage Ceiling).
| Age Group | MA Rate | Example: $5,000/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 8% | $400/mo |
| 35 – 44 | 9% | $450/mo |
| 45 – 49 | 10% | $500/mo |
| 50 – 54 | 10.5% | $525/mo |
| 55 – 65+ | 10.5% | $525/mo* |
*Note: For workers aged 55–65, total CPF rates drop (26% and 16.5% respectively), but the MA allocation % of wages remains at 10.5%. Verify current rates at CPF Board.
Self-employed persons (SEPs) — including freelancers, private-hire drivers, and gig workers — must contribute to MediSave but are not required to contribute to OA or SA. The mandatory MediSave contribution for SEPs is based on their annual net trade income, with rates ranging from 4% to 10.5% depending on income level. The CPF Board sends SEPs an annual notice with their exact contribution amount due.
MediSave vs Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS)
The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is the maximum MediSave balance targeted for retirement. For 2025, the BHS is set at $71,500. This figure is not arbitrary — it is actuarially calculated to cover 3–4 years of MediShield Life premiums after age 65, plus a buffer for hospitalisation co-payments. Once you hit the BHS, your MediSave stops accepting mandatory contributions, and the overflow redirects to your SA (pre-55) or RA (post-55).
At what age do most Singaporeans hit the BHS? It depends heavily on salary and starting balance. Using our calculator: a 30-year-old earning $5,000/month with $0 MediSave balance will reach the BHS in approximately 10–12 years (by age 42–44), assuming 4% annual interest and no withdrawals. A 40-year-old earning the same salary with $20,000 already in MediSave will hit BHS in roughly 6–7 years.
The BHS increases each year. In 2020 it was $60,000; by 2025 it reached $71,500 — a 19% increase in five years. When projecting your BHS timeline, note that the target itself moves upward annually, though your balance also grows at 4% interest. Our calculator uses the current BHS figure of $71,500 as a snapshot.
What Can You Use MediSave For in Singapore?
MediSave is not locked away until death — it can be used for a wide range of approved healthcare expenses. The most common uses include hospitalisation and day surgery at public and private hospitals (subject to withdrawal limits), approved outpatient treatments such as chemotherapy and dialysis, annual MediShield Life premium deductions (automatically deducted), Integrated Shield Plan (IP) premiums up to $600/year per insured person under the MediSave Approved Shield Plan framework, approved vaccinations and health screenings, and the Flexi-MediSave programme for members aged 60 and above (up to $300/year for outpatient GP/specialist visits).
For investors and retirement planners, the key insight is that MediSave reduces your healthcare cash outflow in retirement, freeing up more of your OA/SA/RA for living expenses or discretionary spending. A well-funded MediSave account effectively provides a healthcare insurance fund that earns 4% guaranteed — better than most term deposits in the Singapore market. This interplay with platforms like Endowus (which allows CPF investing from OA/SA) and Syfe underscores the importance of maximising all CPF accounts.
MediSave Interest Rate and Why It Matters
MediSave earns a minimum 4% per annum — guaranteed by the Singapore government and reviewed quarterly but historically stable for decades. The interest is computed on the daily balance and credited monthly. For comparison: the CPF OA earns 2.5% (with a bonus 1% on the first $20,000), the SA earns 4%, and the RA earns 4%. This means MediSave effectively matches the highest CPF interest rate available without any of the risk or eligibility conditions that apply to SA shielding strategies.
The compounding effect is powerful. A $40,000 MediSave balance at age 40 grows to approximately $59,210 by age 55 at 4% compound interest, with zero additional contributions — just from interest alone. Add ongoing contributions of $450–$525/month, and most Singaporeans will hit the $71,500 BHS well before retirement. This is why financial advisors often recommend front-loading MediSave top-ups (up to the BHS) if you have spare cash and have already maxed out your SA shielding strategy. For a deeper dive on how CPF interacts with your retirement number, see our CPF FIRE Number Calculator.
MediSave as a Retirement Strategy
Most Singaporeans underestimate how MediSave fits into their broader retirement plan. Here is the strategic picture: hitting the BHS early means all future mandatory MA contributions redirect to SA (pre-55) or RA (post-55), compounding your retirement corpus at 4% instead of sitting idle in a dedicated healthcare pot. For a 35-year-old hitting the BHS by age 44, that is roughly 11 years of accelerated SA top-ups — potentially $50,000–$80,000 in additional SA balance by the time they turn 55.
Additionally, MediSave works in tandem with CPF LIFE — if your MediSave is healthy, you can use it to pay MediShield Life premiums throughout your retirement, reducing your monthly cash obligations. For those building a retirement income strategy with S-REITs and dividend stocks, this healthcare cushion from MediSave means your investment income can be directed toward lifestyle expenses rather than medical bills. Pair this calculator with our Retirement Planning Calculator and CPF LIFE Payout Calculator to model the complete picture. You can also explore passive income strategies to supplement your CPF payouts in retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much goes into MediSave each month in Singapore?
Your monthly MediSave contribution depends on your age and gross salary. At age 34 and below, 8% of your monthly salary (up to the $7,400 Ordinary Wage Ceiling) goes to MediSave. This increases to 9% for ages 35–44, 10% for ages 45–49, and 10.5% for ages 50 and above. For someone aged 35 earning $5,000/month, this is $450/month or $5,400/year. Use the calculator above to get your exact figure.
What is the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) for 2025 in Singapore?
The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) for 2025 is $71,500. It represents the target MediSave balance for retirement healthcare needs. Once your MediSave reaches the BHS, any excess mandatory contributions automatically flow into your Special Account (if under 55) or Retirement Account (55 and above). The BHS increases annually — it was $60,000 in 2020 and has grown to $71,500 by 2025.
Can I voluntarily top up my MediSave account in Singapore?
Yes. You can voluntarily top up your MediSave up to the BHS ($71,500 in 2025) if your balance has not yet reached that level. Voluntary MediSave top-ups are eligible for tax relief of up to $8,000 per calendar year (combined with cash top-ups to SA/RA). However, once you hit the BHS, no further voluntary top-ups are accepted specifically for MediSave. Top-ups can be made via the CPF website or the CPF Retirement Income app.
What interest rate does CPF MediSave earn in Singapore?
CPF MediSave earns a guaranteed minimum of 4% per annum, the same as the Special Account and Retirement Account. This rate has remained stable for decades and is set by the Singapore government. Interest is computed on the daily balance and credited to your account at the end of each month. The 4% return is significantly higher than current bank savings rates in Singapore and is guaranteed by the government, making it one of the most secure investment-equivalent instruments available to Singaporeans.
What happens to MediSave when I turn 55 in Singapore?
When you turn 55, your MediSave Account continues to exist and earn 4% interest, but the dynamics shift. If your MediSave is at or above the prevailing BHS on your 55th birthday, it is considered fully funded. Excess CPF contributions above the Full Retirement Sum (FRS) that used to flow into your SA now go into your Retirement Account instead. You also gain access to the Flexi-MediSave scheme at age 60, allowing up to $300/year for outpatient treatments at GP and specialist clinics. Plan this milestone using our CPF Retirement Sum Calculator.
Can I use CPF MediSave to pay for Integrated Shield Plan premiums?
Yes, you can use MediSave to pay for the MediShield Life component of your Integrated Shield Plan (IP) premiums. For the private insurer’s rider component, you can use up to $600/year per insured person from MediSave under the MediSave Approved IP framework. For family members, you can also use your MediSave to pay for their approved MediShield Life and hospitalisation insurance premiums, subject to the Medisave Withdrawal Limit. All major insurers — AIA, Prudential, NTUC Income, GE Life, Great Eastern — offer MediSave-compatible plans.
What is a good MediSave balance for a 40-year-old in Singapore?
A healthy benchmark for a 40-year-old is to be tracking toward the BHS ($71,500 in 2025) by their mid-40s. With an average salary of $5,000/month and 9% contributions from age 35, a 40-year-old should have accumulated approximately $25,000–$35,000 in MediSave (assuming $10,000 at age 35 and standard contributions). At this trajectory, they would reach the BHS by age 46–48 at 4% interest. Use the calculator above to model your own timeline based on your actual balance and salary.
Does MediSave count toward my CPF Retirement Account at 55?
MediSave does not count toward the CPF Full Retirement Sum (FRS) or Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) — these are funded by OA and SA savings transferred to the Retirement Account at age 55. However, MediSave indirectly supports retirement by covering healthcare premiums (MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans) and co-payments throughout retirement, reducing the cash draw from your retirement income stream. This means a well-funded MediSave allows more of your CPF LIFE payouts to go toward living expenses. See our CPF LIFE Payout Calculator for the full retirement income picture.
Build Your Retirement Plan Around CPF
Your MediSave is one piece of the puzzle. Model your full retirement income — CPF LIFE payouts, dividend income from S-REITs, and your FIRE target number — with our free tools.
