CPF Changes in Singapore: What Changed This Year and What Comes Next [2026]
26 October 2026On 1 January 2026, the CPF Ordinary Wage ceiling rose to S$8,000 a month, up from S$7,400 in 2025. It was the last of four increases that began on 1 September 2023, and on the same day total contribution rates for employees aged above 55 to 65 rose by 1.5 percentage points.
CPF changes in 2026 are the policy updates that took effect during calendar 2026, from wage ceilings and contribution rates to new MediSave grants, CareShield Life payouts and the statutory retirement age. Several are cohort rules. Members turning 55 this year, for example, have a Full Retirement Sum of S$220,400, and that figure stays fixed for them for life.
Most of these changes apply automatically through payroll or CPF Board's own eligibility checks. A few only help you if you act, such as topping up MediSave to collect a government match, or deciding where higher contributions after 55 should go. Two further rounds are already announced: higher senior contribution rates and new MediSave limits from 1 January 2027.
What you do depends mainly on your age and income. High earners will see slightly lower take-home pay and more in their accounts. Members aged 55 to 70 should check whether they qualify for the new matching grants and the one-time top-up in December. Anyone close to 64 should know the new employment protections and how they differ from the CPF payout age.
This guide explains each 2026 change with its effective date and who it affects, worked examples of what the wage ceiling and senior rate changes mean in dollars, the 2025 changes that are often mistaken for 2026 ones, the changes announced for 2027, and a checklist by age group.
CPF changes in 2026 at a glance
Ten changes matter for members this year. All took effect on 1 January 2026 unless another date is shown.
| Effective | Change | 2025 position | 2026 position | Who is affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Ordinary Wage ceiling | S$7,400 a month | S$8,000 a month; S$102,000 annual ceiling unchanged | Employees earning above S$7,400 a month |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Senior contribution rates | 32.5% (above 55 to 60); 23.5% (above 60 to 65) | 34% and 25% | Employees aged above 55 to 65 |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Retirement sums for new 55 cohort | FRS S$213,000 | FRS S$220,400 | Members turning 55 in 2026 |
| 2026 | Basic Healthcare Sum | S$75,500 for those who turned 65 in 2025 | S$79,000 | Members below 65 and those turning 65 in 2026 |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Matched MediSave Scheme | Did not exist | Match of up to S$1,000 a year | Members aged 55 to 70 with lower MediSave savings |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Matched Retirement Savings Scheme | Seniors only | Extended to Singaporeans with disabilities of all ages | Eligible members with disabilities |
| Jan 2026 | CareShield Life payout | Payouts grew 2% a year | S$689 a month, growing 4% a year to 2030 | All CareShield Life policyholders |
| 2026 | Platform worker contributions | First phase-in year | Second phase-in step | Platform workers born in or after 1995, and those who opted in |
| 1 Jul 2026 | Retirement and re-employment ages | 63 and 68 | 64 and 69 | Employees aged 63 and above |
| Dec 2026 | One-time CPF top-up | Not applicable | Up to S$1,500 | Singaporeans born in 1976 or earlier |
Source: CPF changes taking place in 2026, CPF Budget 2026 changes, CPF Basic Healthcare Sum, MOM re-employment (as of 19 October 2026)
Timeline of CPF changes in 2025, 2026 and those announced for 2027
The CPF wage ceiling reached S$8,000 in January
The Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling caps the monthly salary on which CPF contributions are payable. It has risen in steps from S$6,000, the level in place from 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2023, to S$6,300 in September 2023, S$6,800 in 2024, S$7,400 in 2025 and S$8,000 from 1 January 2026. The CPF annual wage ceiling of S$102,000 is unchanged.
Only employees earning more than S$7,400 a month see any difference. For them, the next S$600 of monthly salary now attracts CPF. At the 2026 rates of 17% from the employer and 20% from the employee for those aged 55 and below, that adds S$222 a month to their CPF accounts.
| Monthly salary of S$9,000, age 55 and below | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary subject to CPF (OW) | S$7,400 | S$8,000 | +S$600 |
| Employee contribution at 20% | S$1,480 | S$1,600 | +S$120 |
| Employer contribution at 17% | S$1,258 | S$1,360 | +S$102 |
| Total monthly contribution | S$2,738 | S$2,960 | +S$222 |
| Annual OW subject to CPF | S$88,800 | S$96,000 | +S$7,200 |
| Additional Wage ceiling left for bonuses | S$13,200 | S$6,000 | -S$7,200 |
Example only, based on CPF Ordinary Wage ceiling, CPF 2026 contribution rates and CPF Additional Wage ceiling (as of 19 October 2026). Assumes the same S$9,000 salary every month of the year.
Over a full year, this employee puts S$1,440 more into CPF and takes home S$1,440 less, while the employer adds S$1,224. Because the Additional Wage ceiling is S$102,000 minus the year's CPF-applicable Ordinary Wages, only the first S$6,000 of a bonus now attracts CPF, against S$13,200 in 2025. Total CPF for the year can still reach the same S$102,000 cap; more of it simply arrives monthly.
Older workers contribute more from January 2026
Employees aged above 55 to 65 now pay more of their salary into CPF. For each band, the increase is 1.5 percentage points: 0.5 from the employer and 1 from the employee. Rates for those aged 55 and below, and above 65, did not change.
| Employee age | 2025 total | 2026 employer | 2026 employee | 2026 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 and below | 37% | 17% | 20% | 37% |
| Above 55 to 60 | 32.5% | 16% | 18% | 34% |
| Above 60 to 65 | 23.5% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 25% |
| Above 65 to 70 | 16.5% | 9% | 7.5% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 12.5% | 7.5% | 5% | 12.5% |
Source: CPF 2026 contribution rates, CPF changes taking place in 2026 (as of 19 October 2026). Rates apply to monthly wages above S$750.
The additional contributions go to the Retirement Account (RA) up to your cohort Full Retirement Sum, and if you have already set aside the FRS, they go to the Ordinary Account instead. Employers receive a CPF Transition Offset equal to half of the 2026 increase in employer contributions, paid automatically for one year.
Take a 58-year-old earning S$5,000 a month. Total contributions rise from S$1,625 to S$1,700, an extra S$75 a month or S$900 a year. Of that, S$50 a month comes out of the employee's pay and S$25 from the employer, who gets half of the S$25 back through the offset during 2026.
CPF contribution rates for workers aged above 55 to 65 in 2025, 2026 and 2027
Retirement sums for members turning 55 in 2026
Every year a new cohort reaches 55 with higher retirement sums. For members turning 55 in 2026, the Basic, Full and Enhanced Retirement Sums are S$110,200, S$220,400 and S$440,800. The BRS rose about 3.5% on the 2025 cohort's S$106,500.
| Cohort | Basic Retirement Sum | Full Retirement Sum | Enhanced Retirement Sum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turned 55 in 2025 | S$106,500 | S$213,000 | S$426,000 |
| Turning 55 in 2026 | S$110,200 | S$220,400 | S$440,800 |
| Turning 55 in 2027 (announced) | S$114,100 | S$228,200 | S$456,400 |
Source: CPF retirement sums (as of 19 October 2026)
The BRS and FRS are fixed by the year you turn 55 and never change afterwards, so a 2025 cohort member keeps an FRS of S$213,000. The ERS works differently: it is the ceiling for voluntary RA top-ups, and members aged 55 and above can top up to the current ERS, whenever they turned 55. In 2026 that ceiling is S$440,800 for everyone.
For the 2026 cohort, CPF Board estimates monthly CPF LIFE payouts from 65 of about S$950 with the BRS, S$1,780 with the FRS and S$3,440 with the ERS, assuming the Standard Plan.
MediSave: the Basic Healthcare Sum is S$79,000
The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is the most you can hold in your MediSave Account. For 2026 it is S$79,000 for members below 65 and for those turning 65 in 2026, against a cohort BHS of S$75,500 for members who turned 65 in 2025.
Below 65, your BHS follows the prevailing figure, which CPF Board adjusts every year. At 65 it is fixed for the rest of your life, so a member born in 1961 who turns 65 this year locks in S$79,000. Members who turned 65 in earlier years keep the BHS fixed for their own cohort.
Two new matching grants for top-ups
Two government matching schemes widened in 2026, and both pay out only on voluntary cash top-ups you or your family make. Both are assessed automatically each year, and members are told by email or letter.
The Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS) began on 1 January 2026 and runs for five years. The Government matches up to S$1,000 a year of cash top-ups to MediSave for members aged 55 to 70 with lower MediSave savings, with the grant credited the following year. A 62-year-old who qualifies and receives a S$1,000 MediSave top-up from a child in 2026 would see another S$1,000 credited in 2027.
The Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) now covers Singaporeans with disabilities of all ages, matching up to S$2,000 a year of top-ups to the SA or RA, with a lifetime limit of S$20,000. Before 2026 the scheme was limited to seniors.
Top-ups that attract a matching grant do not qualify for tax relief, while other eligible cash top-ups to your own SA, RA or MediSave still qualify for up to S$8,000 of relief a year, plus another S$8,000 for top-ups to loved ones. A family member in a high tax bracket can decide which matters more for each recipient.
CareShield Life payouts now grow at 4% a year
CareShield Life pays a monthly cash benefit if you become severely disabled. From 2026 to 2030, the annual payout growth rate doubles from 2% to 4%, and the monthly payout is S$689 in 2026.
| Year | Payout under the old 2% schedule | Payout under the enhanced 4% schedule | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | S$676 | S$689 | S$13 |
| 2027 | S$689 | S$717 | S$28 |
| 2028 | S$703 | S$745 | S$42 |
| 2029 | S$717 | S$775 | S$58 |
| 2030 | S$731 | S$806 | S$75 |
Source: CPF changes taking place in 2026 (as of 19 October 2026)
Payouts rise each year until you turn 67 or make a successful claim, whichever comes first, and then stay at that level. The Government is adding more than S$570 million of premium support over five years, and premiums remain fully payable from MediSave. From 1 January 2026, people born in 1979 or earlier can enrol only if they have no pre-existing disabilities.
CareShield Life monthly payouts under the old and enhanced schedules, 2026 to 2030
Platform workers move to the next contribution step
Platform workers are being brought into CPF in phases from 2025 to 2029. The phase-in covers those born in or after 1995, plus older workers who opt in. In 2026, platform operators contribute 7% at every age, while the worker's share ranges from 5.5% to 15.5%.
| Age | Operator share | Worker share |
|---|---|---|
| 35 and below | 7.0% | 13.0% |
| Above 35 to 45 | 7.0% | 14.0% |
| Above 45 to 50 | 7.0% | 15.0% |
| Above 50 to 55 | 7.0% | 15.5% |
| Above 55 to 60 | 7.0% | 15.5% |
| Above 60 to 65 | 7.0% | 12.5% |
| Above 65 to 70 | 7.0% | 9.5% |
| Above 70 | 7.0% | 5.5% |
Source: CPF changes taking place in 2026 (as of 19 October 2026)
Lower-income platform workers earning S$3,000 and below get help with the step-up. In 2026, the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support offsets 75% of the increase in their share of contributions, and eligible platform workers receive Workfare Income Supplement monthly instead of once a year.
CPF interest rates in 2026 and the 4% floor
CPF interest rates are reviewed every quarter. For 1 October to 31 December 2026, the OA earns 2.5% a year and the SA, MediSave and RA earn 4%. Members below 55 earn an extra 1% on the first S$60,000 of combined balances, and members 55 and above earn an extra 2% on the first S$30,000 and 1% on the next S$30,000, with OA balances capped at S$20,000 for this purpose.
On 22 September 2026 the Government extended the 4% floor on SA, MediSave and RA savings to 31 December 2027. Rates held steady through 2026, and the floor now runs one year longer.
Retirement and re-employment ages rose on 1 July 2026
The minimum retirement age rose from 63 to 64 and the re-employment age from 68 to 69 on 1 July 2026. The new retirement age of 64 covers employees born on or after 1 July 1963, and employers must offer eligible workers re-employment up to 69.
These are employment protections. Your payout eligibility age is not linked to your retirement or re-employment age, and for members born in 1954 or later it stays at 65. You can start CPF LIFE at any age from 65 to 70, and monthly payouts increase by up to 7% for each year you defer.
A one-time CPF top-up in December 2026
Budget 2026 announced a one-off top-up for older Singaporeans with modest retirement savings. Singaporeans born in 1976 or earlier will receive up to S$1,500 in their RA or SA in December 2026, depending on their CPF retirement savings at 31 December 2025 and the Annual Value of their home.
Members who own no more than one property with an Annual Value up to S$21,000 receive S$1,500 if their retirement savings are below S$60,000, or S$1,000 if their savings are at least S$60,000 but below the 2026 BRS of S$110,200. A lower S$500 tier applies to some members whose home has an Annual Value above S$21,000 and up to S$31,000. Retirement savings here means RA and CPF LIFE balances, or OA and SA balances if no RA has been created. Eligible members will be notified in December 2026.
What changed in 2025, and why SA closure is not a 2026 change
Several rules that members first notice in 2026 actually started earlier. The biggest is the closure of the Special Account. The SA closure took effect on 19 January 2025 for every member aged 55 and above on that date. Members who turn 55 after that date, including the whole 2026 cohort, have their SA closed on their 55th birthday, when an RA is created for them.
On closure, SA savings move to the RA up to your FRS, and anything left goes to the OA. Money in the RA keeps earning the long-term rate, while money moved to the OA earns the OA rate. That makes 55 a decision point for anyone with SA savings above the FRS: leave the surplus in the OA, transfer it to the RA up to the ERS, or use it elsewhere.
Two other 2025 changes carry into 2026. The ERS was set at four times the BRS from 2025, and the 2026 ERS of S$440,800 keeps that ratio. The platform worker phase-in also began in 2025, so 2026 is its second step.
Announced for 2027: changes to plan for now
These changes have been announced but have not yet started, so they belong in your planning for next year.
| Effective | Announced change | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | Senior contribution rates rise again | Above 55 to 60: 34% to 35.5% (16.5% employer, 19% employee). Above 60 to 65: 25% to 26% (13% employer, 13% employee) |
| 1 Jan 2027 | MediSave limits for chronic conditions | Chronic Disease Management Programme limit rises from S$500 to S$700 a year; complex chronic conditions from S$700 to S$1,000. The MediSave 500/700 scheme is renamed the MediSave Chronic and Prevent Care scheme |
| 2027 | Retirement sums for the 2027 cohort | BRS S$114,100; FRS S$228,200; ERS S$456,400 |
| 2027 | CareShield Life payout | S$717 a month under the enhanced schedule |
| To 31 Dec 2027 | 4% interest floor | Extended for SA, MediSave and RA savings |
| To Dec 2027 | Senior Employment Credit | Extended for employers hiring senior workers |
Source: CPF Budget 2026 changes, CPF retirement sums, CPF 4% floor extension, MOM Committee of Supply 2026 speech (as of 19 October 2026)
The 2027 rate rise follows the same pattern as 2026. The extra contributions go to the RA up to the FRS, or to the OA once the FRS is set aside, and the CPF Transition Offset for employers will be extended for another year. For the 58-year-old earning S$5,000 a month, total contributions would rise from S$1,700 to S$1,775 a month.
Further out, a new voluntary life-cycle investment scheme for CPF savings is due in the first half of 2028, and MOM plans to raise the retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 by 2030.
Who should act on the 2026 changes
Most changes need no action, but a few reward a quick check, depending on your age.
| You are | What changed for you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Below 45, earning above S$7,400 a month | Wage ceiling now S$8,000 | Take-home pay and the smaller bonus room under the AW ceiling |
| 45 to 54 | 2027 cohort sums announced | Whether your SA and OA are on track for the FRS of your own cohort |
| Turning 55 in 2026 | SA closes on your birthday; FRS S$220,400 | Where SA savings above the FRS will go, and whether to top up towards the ERS |
| Above 55 to 65 and working | Higher contribution rates now and in 2027 | Payslip deductions and whether extra contributions now flow to RA or OA |
| 55 to 70 with low MediSave | MMSS match of up to S$1,000 a year | Healthcare dashboard on Singpass, and family top-up plans |
| Turning 64 or 65 | Retirement age 64; CPF payout age still 65 | Re-employment terms from your employer and your CPF LIFE start age |
| Born in 1976 or earlier, modest savings | One-time top-up up to S$1,500 | December notification and govbenefits.gov.sg |
| Platform worker | Second contribution step | PCTS support if you earn S$3,000 and below |
Source: CPF changes taking place in 2026, CPF Budget 2026 changes (as of 19 October 2026)
If you are within ten years of 65, the most useful step is to estimate your CPF LIFE payout from your current RA balance and compare it with what you expect to spend. Any gap has to come from savings and investments outside CPF.
Estimate your CPF LIFE payout with StashAway
Higher contributions after 55 and a larger RA all feed into one number: your monthly CPF LIFE payout. The StashAway CPF LIFE payout calculator estimates it from the 2026 retirement sums, for your chosen plan and a start age from 65 to 70. If your estimate falls short of your expected spending, General Investing powered by StashAway offers managed, globally diversified ETF portfolios funded with cash or SRS, with 1-year returns of 6.4% to 26.6% across risk levels.
Investment values can fall as well as rise, and past returns do not guarantee future results.
Frequently asked questions
Here are short answers to common questions about this year's CPF changes.
What is changing for CPF in 2026?
The main changes are a higher Ordinary Wage ceiling of S$8,000, contribution rates of 34% and 25% for employees aged above 55 to 60 and above 60 to 65, a S$79,000 Basic Healthcare Sum, the new Matched MediSave Scheme, faster-growing CareShield Life payouts and a retirement age of 64 from 1 July. The full list is on the CPF Board's 2026 changes page.
How much is the 2026 Full Retirement Sum?
For members turning 55 in 2026, the FRS is S$220,400. Members who turned 55 earlier keep the FRS of their own cohort, such as S$213,000 for the 2025 cohort.
Did the CPF Special Account close in 2026?
No. The closure for members aged 55 and above took effect on 19 January 2025. In 2026, it shows up on each member's 55th birthday, when their SA closes and savings move to the RA up to the FRS, with the rest going to the OA.
What happens to CPF rates after 55?
Contribution rates step down with age, but the bands above 55 to 65 rose on 1 January 2026. A worker aged above 55 to 60 now contributes 34% in total (16% employer, 18% employee), and that rises to 35.5% from 1 January 2027.
Does retirement age 64 mean CPF LIFE starts at 64?
No. CPF LIFE payouts can start from 65 for members born in 1954 or later, at any age up to 70. The retirement age of 64 is an employment protection set by MOM.
Do I need to apply for the Matched MediSave Scheme?
CPF Board checks eligibility automatically each year and notifies eligible members by email or letter. You then need a cash top-up to MediSave, from yourself or a family member, to receive the match of up to S$1,000, which is credited the following year.
Which CPF changes are confirmed for 2027?
Senior contribution rates rise again on 1 January 2027, MediSave limits for chronic conditions increase, and the 2027 cohort's FRS is S$228,200. The 4% interest floor on SA, MediSave and RA savings also runs until 31 December 2027.
