Singapore’s CPF Special Account Rules in 2026: What You Need to Know Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) Special Account (SA) has been a key component of retirement savings while earning attractive interest rates. A significant change occurred in early 2025 when the SA was closed for all members aged 55 & above. As we enter 2026 the regulations continue unchanged & retirement savings now operate through a more straightforward system. This arrangement ensures that funds remain protected for long-term retirement purposes while still generating favorable returns.
What Happened to the CPF Special Account
From January 2025, the CPF Special Account (SA) stopped being available to members aged 55 and above. Any remaining SA balance was first used to top up the Retirement Account (RA) up to the Full Retirement Sum. If there was still excess after meeting this requirement, the remaining amount was transferred to the Ordinary Account (OA). Members below 55 years old will continue to hold and contribute to their Special Account until they reach the eligible age.
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Why the Special Account Was Closed
The government introduced this change to better align CPF savings with their intended purpose. Funds meant for retirement are now concentrated in the Retirement Account, which earns a higher interest rate. More flexible savings are kept in the Ordinary Account, which has a lower interest rate. This restructuring makes the CPF system simpler and encourages clearer, more effective retirement planning.
Interest Rates Will Stay Attractive
The guaranteed 4% floor interest rate for the Special, MediSave, and Retirement Accounts will remain in place until the end of 2026. Even after the SA closure, savings held in the Retirement Account will continue to qualify for this rate. This provides stability and reassurance for members despite market fluctuations.
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New CPF Contribution Structure
For members aged 55 and above, new CPF contributions will now flow directly into the Retirement Account or the Ordinary Account, bypassing the Special Account entirely. Additional interest bonuses across CPF accounts will still apply, helping overall savings continue to grow steadily.
Your Choices for Managing Savings
Members can choose to transfer funds from the Ordinary Account to the Retirement Account, up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum, to benefit from higher interest and potentially larger monthly payouts. This transfer is irreversible. Alternatively, funds may remain in the Ordinary Account for flexible uses such as housing or other approved needs.
Special Support for Persons with Disabilities
Starting from 2026, eligible persons with disabilities will be able to receive Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) matching on top-ups made to the Special Account if they are under 55, or to the Retirement Account if they are older. This policy supports earlier and stronger retirement savings for this group.
Key Differences Before and After the Closure
For members aged 55 and above, the closure of the Special Account means savings are now streamlined into the Retirement and Ordinary Accounts. This change simplifies account management while maintaining competitive interest rates for retirement-focused funds.
| Key Aspect | Before 2025 (Special Account Active) | From 2025 Onwards (Special Account Closed) |
|---|---|---|
| Account Status | Special Account (SA) available | Special Account (SA) no longer available |
| Interest on Extra Savings | Earns up to 4% when kept in SA | Earns 2.5% when moved to Ordinary Account (OA) |
| New CPF Contributions | Portion credited into SA | Directed straight to RA or OA |
| Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) Limit | Up to 3 times the Basic Retirement Sum | Increased to 4 times BRS (up to $426,000 from 2025) |
| Withdrawal Flexibility | More flexible withdrawals from SA | Withdrawals mainly accessed through OA |
| Guaranteed 4% Floor Interest | Applies to SA and RA balances | Applies only to Retirement Account (RA) |
Planning Ahead Under the 2026 Rules
With higher salary ceilings and improved senior contribution rates, overall CPF growth is expected to strengthen. Members are encouraged to review their CPF dashboard to understand how these updates affect their future payouts. The revised system continues to offer a stable 4% return on retirement savings, making long-term planning more straightforward and secure.
