Estimate the monthly income CPF LIFE pays you for life from 65, and how much more you get by setting aside more or deferring to 70.
At 55, CPF sets aside savings from your Special and Ordinary Accounts in a new Retirement Account (RA), up to the Full Retirement Sum. From 65, CPF LIFE turns that balance into a monthly income for as long as you live. The more you set aside at 55, the higher the payout.
This calculator starts from the CPF Board's published estimates for members turning 55 in 2026 on the Standard Plan, and interpolates between them for balances in between. Payouts are slightly higher per dollar on the first part of the RA, because CPF pays extra interest on the first $60,000.
| Amount set aside at 55 | Monthly payout from 65 | If deferred to 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Retirement Sum (BRS): $110,200 | $950 | about $1,332 |
| Full Retirement Sum (FRS): $220,400 | $1,780 | about $2,497 |
| Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS): $440,800 | $3,440 | about $4,825 |
Payouts from 65 are CPF Board estimates. Deferred figures apply the maximum 7% increase for each year of deferral, so treat them as an upper bound.
If you own a property with a lease that lasts to at least age 95, you can pledge it and set aside only the Basic Retirement Sum, withdrawing the rest from 55. That means lower payouts for life in exchange for cash now. Setting aside the Full Retirement Sum roughly doubles the payout, and topping up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum roughly doubles it again.
Retirement sums rise each year for new cohorts, so if you are younger than 55, compare your projected RA with today's sums rather than the nominal figure you will need. The CPF Projection Calculator estimates your RA at 55, and the BRS, FRS and ERS guide explains the tiers in more detail.
The Standard Plan pays the same amount every month. The Escalating Plan starts about 20% lower and rises 2% a year, which protects against inflation but takes longer to pay out the same total. Deferring past 65 raises every payout by up to 7% a year. Deferring or escalating makes sense if you have other income to rely on in the early years and expect a long retirement; the break-even ages in the calculator show how long that takes.
This tool provides educational estimates only, not licensed financial advice. CPF LIFE payouts are not guaranteed and may be adjusted for interest rates and life expectancy. Check the CPF LIFE Estimator on the CPF website with your own balances.
How Much Do You Need to Retire in Singapore?
Your Singapore retirement number is rarely just "25x your annual expenses". CPF LIFE covers a base income first, so the real question is whether your portfolio can bridge the gap.
CPF FRS, BRS & ERS Explained (2026)
CPF sets three retirement sum tiers: BRS, FRS, and ERS. These determine how much monthly income CPF LIFE pays you from age 65. Here's what each tier means in practice.
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For members turning 55 in 2026, CPF Board estimates about $1,780 a month from 65 on the Standard Plan for the $220,400 Full Retirement Sum, about $950 for the $110,200 Basic Retirement Sum, and about $3,440 for the $440,800 Enhanced Retirement Sum.
Each year you defer past 65 raises your payout by up to 7%, up to age 70. Deferring suits people who can cover their spending from work or savings in the meantime and expect to live long. The break-even age shown in the calculator tells you how long it takes for payouts to add up to what you set aside.
The Standard Plan pays a level amount for life. The Escalating Plan starts about 20% lower and rises 2% every year to help keep pace with inflation. The Basic Plan, which pays less but leaves more for your beneficiaries, is not modelled here.
Yes. Any premium balance not yet paid out, plus any savings left in your Retirement Account, goes to your beneficiaries. CPF LIFE is designed so you do not lose what you put in if you die early, and keeps paying if you live long.
In 2026 dollars. If you are younger, compare your projected balance with today's sums.
From 65, or defer up to 70 for higher payouts
To see how much CPF LIFE covers. Set to 0 to skip.
Estimate your Retirement Account at 55 with the CPF Projection Calculator, then enter it here.
Estimated monthly payout from 65
$1,780
For $220,400 set aside at 55, at least the Full Retirement Sum, on the Standard Plan
To fund the $1,220 gap with the 4% rule, you would need a portfolio of about $366,000. Plan it with the 4% Rule Calculator.
Deferring raises every payout for life, but you give up the payouts you would have received in the meantime.
| Start age | Monthly payout | Break-even age |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | $1,780 | 76 |
| 66 | $1,905 | 76 |
| 67 | $2,038 | 77 |
| 68 | $2,181 | 77 |
| 69 | $2,333 | 77 |
| 70 | $2,497 | 78 |