By MoneyBees
Compare putting cash into SRS or topping up your CPF Special or Retirement Account: tax relief, value at 65, SRS withdrawal tax and the extra CPF LIFE payout for life.
SRS gives more room: up to S$15,300 a year for citizens and PRs, against S$8,000 for a cash top-up to your own Special or Retirement Account. You can do both. All your reliefs together are capped at S$80,000 a year.
No. CPF Board says top-ups are irreversible and reserved for monthly payouts. The money goes into your CPF LIFE payouts instead of coming back as a lump sum.
Yes, at any time, but before the statutory retirement age the whole amount is taxable and there is a 5% penalty. From that age only 50% of each withdrawal is taxable, spread over up to 10 years.
Only what you invest it in. Cash left in an SRS account earns the bank's rate. The calculator uses the return you enter and does not forecast one.
Your Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts earn at least 4% a year, a floor extended to 31 Dec 2027. Extra interest of 1% on the first S$60,000, and more from 55, can add up to 5% or 6%.
CPF Board's 2026 figures put S$330,100 in the RA at 65 at S$1,780 a month and S$650,100 at S$3,440, both on the Standard Plan. That is about S$5.20 a month for each extra S$1,000 at 65.
Yes. Below 55 you can top up your Special Account up to the current Full Retirement Sum, S$220,400 in 2026. From 55 you can top up your Retirement Account up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum, S$440,800 in 2026.
Yes. Foreigners can contribute up to S$35,700 a year to SRS. CPF cash top-ups are for CPF members, so this comparison is for citizens and PRs.
Junxiong-WFG Organisation is an authorised representative of AIA Financial Advisers Private Limited (Reg. No. 201715016G).