By The Ledger desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
When you turn 55, CPF opens your Retirement Account (RA) and moves in your Special Account savings, then Ordinary Account savings, up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS): S$220,400 for members turning 55 in 2026. You can then withdraw at least S$5,000, plus whatever is left in your accounts after the FRS is set aside. If you own a property with a lease lasting until you are at least 95, you need only set aside the Basic Retirement Sum (S$110,200). At 65, members born in 1958 or later can withdraw up to 20% of their retirement savings. Your MediSave and the money in your RA stay in CPF to pay for CPF LIFE and healthcare.
Turning 55 can feel like payday. It is better treated as a sorting day: some money becomes yours to spend, and some is set aside to pay you for life.
Quick facts
- 2026 retirement sums: BRS S$110,200 · FRS S$220,400 · ERS S$440,800.
- From January 2025, the Special Account closes for members aged 55 and above; SA savings above what goes into the RA are moved to the OA.
- At 55: S$5,000 can be withdrawn unconditionally, even if you have not met the BRS.
- At 65: up to 20% of your RA savings, in one go or several withdrawals.
- Cash top-ups and government grants in your RA cannot be withdrawn.
- Withdrawals are made online with Singpass; PayNow credits are almost immediate.
What happens to your CPF at 55?
| Account | What happens at 55 | Can you withdraw it? |
|---|---|---|
| Special Account (SA) | Moved into the new RA up to the FRS; any excess goes to the OA, and the SA is closed | The excess, once in the OA, yes |
| Ordinary Account (OA) | Used to make up the RA to the FRS if SA savings fall short | Whatever remains after the FRS is set aside |
| Retirement Account (RA) | Holds your retirement sum, which funds CPF LIFE from 65 | Only the S$5,000, the amount above BRS for eligible property owners, and up to 20% from 65 |
| MediSave Account (MA) | Stays, for healthcare and insurance premiums | No |
Contributions you make while still working after 55 also go into your accounts, so the OA you can withdraw from keeps growing as you work.
Two worked examples
Above the FRS. Ahmad turns 55 in 2026 with S$200,000 in his SA and S$80,000 in his OA, S$280,000 in all. His RA receives the S$200,000 from his SA plus S$20,400 from his OA, reaching the FRS of S$220,400. The remaining S$59,600 in his OA (S$80,000 − S$20,400) can be withdrawn.
Below the BRS. Siew Hoon turns 55 with S$60,000 in her SA and S$30,000 in her OA, S$90,000 in all. That is below even the BRS, but she can still withdraw S$5,000. The other S$85,000 goes into her RA and will give her a monthly income from 65.
What can you take out at 65?
Members born in 1958 or later can withdraw up to 20% of their RA savings from 65, less any amount already withdrawn from the RA. The money excludes cash top-ups and government grants. Every dollar you take reduces your CPF LIFE payouts for the rest of your life, so think of it as a reserve for a real need, such as paying off a loan or helping with a home repair, rather than a bonus.
How to make a withdrawal
- Log in to the CPF website with Singpass and open your Retirement dashboard to see your withdrawable amount.
- Check whether you qualify to set aside the BRS instead of the FRS, through a property pledge or a lease that lasts until at least 95.
- Choose how much to withdraw and how to receive it: PayNow (near-instant) or bank account (usually one to three working days).
- Check your CPF daily withdrawal limit, an anti-scam safeguard you can adjust in your account settings.
- Leave anything you do not need in CPF: it continues to earn interest and can be withdrawn later.
If you pledge your property to set aside only the BRS, you must refund the money to your RA, up to the FRS, from the sale proceeds if you later sell the property.
The WahLiao Verdict
Take out what you have a clear plan for, and no more. Money withdrawn from CPF and left in a bank account usually earns less than it would in CPF, and is far more exposed to scams. If you are still working, there is no rush: your withdrawable balance does not expire. And be very careful with the property pledge and the 20% option at 65: both reduce the lifelong income that will pay your bills when you are 85.
Questions people ask
Do I have to withdraw at 55?
No. Withdrawals are optional, and money you leave in CPF continues to earn interest. You can withdraw later at any time.
Why was my Special Account closed?
Since January 2025, the SA has been closed for members aged 55 and above. Savings go into the RA up to the FRS, and any excess moves to the OA, where it earns OA interest and can be withdrawn.
Can I withdraw my MediSave at 55?
No. MediSave stays in CPF for your healthcare costs and insurance premiums. See our guide, MediSave Explained, for what it can pay for.
Can I withdraw everything if I leave Singapore?
Generally only if you give up your Singapore citizenship or permanent residence. Members certified with a permanent incapacity or reduced life expectancy may also withdraw early on medical grounds.
Sources: CPF Board, withdrawing CPF at 55; CPF Board, how much you can withdraw at 55 and 65; Endowus, 2026 CPF withdrawal guide; DBS, 2026 retirement sums. The Ledger explains; it does not advise.
Read next: CPF LIFE Explained: Standard, Basic or Escalating Plan · CPF Accounts Explained · The Shared Responsibility Framework for scams · Back to The Ledger
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