What is the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) and how does it affect CPF housing withdrawals?

The Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) is an amount CPF members need to set aside in their Retirement Account at age 55 to receive monthly payouts in retirement. If you are buying a second or subsequent property, or if you are 55 and above, you generally need to have set aside the current BRS (or Full Retirement Sum - FRS if you don't own a property that can last you to age 95) before you can use further CPF OA savings for housing.

What is the difference between Valuation Limit (VL) and Withdrawal Limit (WL)?

The Valuation Limit (VL) is the lower of the purchase price or market value of the property at the time of purchase. You can generally use your CPF OA up to this limit. The Withdrawal Limit (WL) is 120% of the VL and applies mainly to properties financed by bank loans. Once total CPF usage (principal + accrued interest) hits the WL, further CPF cannot be used for that property.

Can I use CPF to pay for stamp duties and legal fees?

Yes, in many cases, you can use your CPF Ordinary Account savings to pay for Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD), and legal fees related to the property purchase, subject to available OA balance and overall withdrawal limits.

CPF Housing Withdrawal Calculator Singapore

Understanding Your CPF Withdrawal for Housing

This calculator provides an estimation of how much from your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) you might be able to use for purchasing a property in Singapore. The actual amount can be complex and depends on various CPF Board rules and limits.

Key Limits to Note:

Valuation Limit (VL): Generally, you can use your CPF OA up to the lower of the property's purchase price or its market valuation at the time of purchase.
Withdrawal Limit (WL): For properties bought with a bank loan, a Withdrawal Limit of 120% of the VL applies. Once your total CPF usage (principal + accrued interest) reaches this, you must service the loan in cash. For HDB loans, you might be able to use CPF up to the VL if the property can cover you to age 95.
Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) / Full Retirement Sum (FRS):
- If you are below 55, you can generally use your OA savings after setting aside a portion that would grow to half the current BRS by age 55 (this is a simplification; actual calculation is complex).
- If you are 55 and above, you must have set aside your FRS (or BRS if you own a property with sufficient lease) in your Retirement Account before using further OA/RA savings for housing.
- For a second or subsequent property, you must set aside the current BRS before using excess OA for the property.
Remaining Lease: CPF usage is restricted for properties with a short remaining lease. For instance, if the remaining lease does not cover the youngest buyer up to age 95, CPF usage will be pro-rated. No CPF can be used if the remaining lease is less than 20 years.

This calculator attempts to provide a general estimate. For precise figures, it's best to log in to the CPF website with your SingPass or consult directly with the CPF Board.

For more details on CPF rules, visit our Guide to CPF Usage for Property. You can also estimate your overall buying costs with our Full Property Buying Calculator.

CPF Withdrawal FAQs

How is the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) determined for this calculator?

The BRS changes annually. This calculator uses a simplified approach or a recent BRS figure for estimation. For the exact BRS applicable to your cohort and its impact on your CPF housing withdrawal, please refer to the official CPF Board website.

Can I use CPF to pay for renovations or furnishings?

No, CPF savings generally cannot be used for renovation costs, furnishings, or other non-structural components of the property purchase.

What if my CPF OA balance is not enough for the downpayment?

If your CPF OA savings (after meeting any set-aside requirements) are insufficient for the portion of the downpayment you intended to cover with CPF, you will need to pay the difference in cash.