CPFB | Policy FAQ

Policy FAQs

Get a better understanding of how CPF works through these answers to essential questions about CPF policies and schemes.

Q1 Why can't I do a CPF transfer to my extended family members (e.g. uncles/aunts/cousins)?

Q1 Why is the retirement sum set at age 55 but the Basic Healthcare Sum set at age 65?

Q2 After I have met the Basic Healthcare Sum, why do the excess MediSave Account savings overflow to my Special Account or Retirement Account instead of my Ordinary Account?

Q1 Why doesn't CPF Board start my payouts automatically at my Payout Eligibility Age (PEA)?

Q2 Why are extra interest and additional extra interest used to extend the payout duration instead of increasing the monthly payout under the Retirement Sum Scheme?

Q3 Why is interest earned on my CPF LIFE premium not included as part of the amount paid to my beneficiaries when I pass away?

Q4 Is the CPF payout eligibility age linked to the retirement/re-employment ages?

Q5 Why am I not allowed to withdraw my Retirement Account savings as a lump sum instead of receiving CPF retirement monthly payouts ?

Q6 Why do payout durations for members on the Retirement Sum Scheme vary?

Q1 Are my CPF savings safe?

Q2 Are my CPF savings affected by GIC's performance?

Q3 Why aren't GIC's returns fully passed through to CPF members?

Q4 Are my CPF savings affected by Temasek's performance?

Q5 Will my CPF savings be available when I retire, if there are going to be fewer workers and more retirees in the future?

Q6 How do CPF interest rates compare with other countries' pension systems?

Q7 How are CPF monies invested?

Q1 Why do I need to set aside a Retirement Sum in my CPF?

Q2 Why are the retirement sums increasing yearly?

Q3 In setting aside the Full Retirement Sum in my Retirement Account, why are my Special Account savings transferred before my Ordinary Account savings?

Q1 Why do I still need to contribute to my MediSave if I am a Self-Employed Person who met my Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) at age 65?

Q1 If I had used CPF savings to buy a property, why do I need to pay back interest on my own CPF savings when the property is sold?

Q1 Why can't I withdraw all my CPF savings at 55?

Q2 Why can't I withdraw my MediSave if I don't have enough in my other CPF accounts for living expenses in retirement?

Q3 Why can't I withdraw my CPF in a lump sum to pay off my debt, and instead have to incur interest on my debt?

Q4 Why am I unable to withdraw more from my CPF to tide over my financial difficulties?

Q5 Why am I not allowed to withdraw my CPF savings in a lump sum if I have savings above the prevailing Full Retirement Sum before turning age 55?