CPF in One Picture
Your CPF is not one account but several, and the split between them changes as you age. (CPF Board, allocation rates for 2026.)
For working Singaporeans and permanent residents, the Central Provident Fund is the backbone of retirement. Up to age 55, contributions — up to 37% of wages, shared between you and your employer — flow into three accounts. The Ordinary Account (OA) is for housing, insurance and some investments. The Special Account (SA) is for retirement and earns higher interest. The MediSave Account (MA) is for healthcare.
The split shifts with age. When you are young, most goes to the OA — useful for a first home. As you grow older, more is steered to the SA and MA, quietly building retirement and healthcare savings. At 55, the SA closes and a Retirement Account (RA) is formed, pooling your retirement savings to provide a monthly income later on.
Illustrative example: the system on one page
The chart shows the 2026 allocation across the accounts by age band. The drift towards retirement and healthcare as you age is the system gently moving you from "building a life" to "funding later life".
Allocation rates shown are CPF's from 1 January 2026. CPF rules and figures change regularly — confirm current rates at cpf.gov.sg before acting.
Educational only — not financial, tax, or investment advice, or a recommendation to take any particular course of action. Any names, figures, and examples illustrate a principle and are historical or simplified; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Rules, tax treatment, and published figures change over time and may not reflect current policy. Wealth Diagnostics provides education and tools for financial advisers and their clients — seek licensed advice for your own circumstances before making any financial decision.