What’s The Maximum Amount You Can Contribute To Your CPF Accounts Each Year?

Topping up our CPF can help us build retirement savings, set aside more for healthcare and, where eligible, reduce our income tax. But how much we can contribute depends on where the money goes. A voluntary contribution spread across our CPF accounts has a different limit from a cash top-up made specifically for retirement or MediSave.

In 2026, the CPF Annual Limit remains $37,740, while the monthly salary ceiling has increased to $8,000. However, the annual limit does not apply to every way of putting money into CPF, so reaching it does not necessarily prevent us from making further top-ups.

Why Consider Putting More Money Into CPF?

For October to December 2026, the Ordinary Account (OA) earns 2.5% a year, while the Special Account (SA), MediSave Account (MA) and Retirement Account (RA) earn 4%. Extra interest applies to part of our combined balances, so the highest advertised rate does not apply to all our savings. CPF savings below age 55 can earn up to 5%, while those aged 55 and above can earn up to 6% on eligible balances.

These returns can support long-term savings, but we should first consider how much cash we need for emergencies and other expenses. Accepted top-ups cannot simply be reversed, and the rules for using the money depend on the account and contribution method.

#1 CPF Contributions From Our Monthly Salary

From 1 January 2026, the Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling is $8,000 a month, up from $7,400 in 2025. This means CPF contributions apply to the first $8,000 of our monthly Ordinary Wages, even if our salary is higher.

The following calculations assume 12 months of Ordinary Wages of at least $8,000 and the same contribution-rate age band throughout the year.

These are the full rates for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents from their third year of PR status, for monthly wages above $750. Different rates can apply to first- and second-year PRs.

From 1 January 2027, the combined rate will rise to 35.5% for employees above 55 to 60 and 26% for those above 60 to 65. These increases have been announced but do not apply to wages earned in 2026.

Read Also: Complete Guide To Your CPF Contributions In Singapore (2026): Salary Caps, Contribution Rates And Allocation Rates

#2 CPF Contributions From Our Bonuses

Annual performance bonuses are generally Additional Wages (AW). The amount that attracts CPF contributions is capped using this formula:

Additional Wage ceiling = $102,000 − Total Ordinary Wages subject to CPF for the year

For someone earning at least $8,000 a month for all 12 months, the AW ceiling is $6,000: $102,000 minus $96,000. Even if their annual bonus is $20,000, only $6,000 attracts CPF contributions.

For an employee aged 55 and below, this adds $2,220 in combined employee and employer contributions. Together with $35,520 from monthly wages, the total is $37,740. These are calculated examples based on the wage ceilings and 37% contribution rate.

Someone earning $5,000 a month for the full year instead has an AW ceiling of $42,000. The ceiling is applied per employee, per employer, per calendar year.

#3 Voluntary Contributions To Our Three CPF Accounts

We can make voluntary contributions to our three CPF accounts using the remaining room under the CPF Annual Limit:

Maximum voluntary contribution = $37,740 − Mandatory CPF contributions for the calendar year

For example, an employee aged 55 and below earning $5,000 a month with no bonus receives $22,200 in mandatory contributions over 12 months. This leaves $15,540 for voluntary contributions. A later bonus could reduce that room, so we should include expected contributions for the rest of the year before topping up.

The money is distributed according to CPF’s allocation rules rather than directed entirely to an account of our choice. Members below 55 have OA, SA and MA; members aged 55 and above have OA, RA and MA following the SA closure in January 2025. Applicable account limits affect where contributions are credited.

Voluntary contributions to all three accounts do not qualify for tax relief for employees. Self-employed persons may qualify under separate rules. Excess voluntary contributions above the annual limit are refunded without interest in the following year.

Read Also: Saving For Your Future: Should You Max Out Your CPF Voluntary Contributions Every Year?

#4 Cash Top-Ups To Our MediSave Account

Direct MediSave cash top-ups are limited by the recipient’s applicable Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS), rather than the $37,740 CPF Annual Limit. In 2026, the BHS is $79,000 for members below 65 and those turning 65 during the year. For older members, it remains fixed at the level that applied when they turned 65.

If our applicable BHS is $79,000 and our MA balance is $70,000, we can top up $9,000. The permitted top-up and the amount qualifying for tax relief are separate limits.

Read Also: CPF MediSave Top-Ups Or Special Account Top-Ups Via RSTU. Which Makes More Financial Sense?

#5 Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme

Retirement top-ups also sit outside the CPF Annual Limit. Under the Retirement Sum Topping-Up (RSTU) scheme, the receiving account and limit depend on age.

These figures are ceilings, not amounts we can automatically add each year. For members below 55, available room takes into account SA savings and net SA amounts withdrawn for CPF investments that have not been fully disposed of. For members aged 55 and above, CPF uses its RA savings calculation to determine the available top-up amount.

We can check our personal limit through CPF’s Retirement Dashboard before paying. Retirement top-ups are reserved for retirement payouts and cannot be withdrawn for housing or other spending.

How Much Tax Relief Can We Get?

Eligible cash top-ups to our own SA/RA and MA share an $8,000 annual relief cap. Top-ups to eligible family members share another $8,000 cap, subject to conditions and the overall $80,000 personal relief limit. Top-ups made in 2026 qualify for relief in YA 2027.

Qualifying family includes parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, spouses and siblings; children are excluded. For spouses and siblings, the preceding year’s annual income must not exceed $8,000 unless they have a disability. This income test does not apply to parents or grandparents.

RA top-ups above the current FRS do not qualify for relief, even when permitted up to the ERS. CPF transfers also receive no relief. Amounts attracting Matched Retirement Savings Scheme or Matched MediSave Scheme grants are excluded from relief.

Tax relief reduces taxable income, rather than returning the top-up dollar for dollar.

#6 Voluntary Housing Refunds

If we have used CPF savings for a property, we can make a voluntary housing refund, up to the principal withdrawn and accrued interest outstanding. This is separate from the CPF Annual Limit and does not qualify for tax relief.

A refund restores CPF savings and reduces the amount outstanding for that property. The refunded money remains subject to CPF usage rules, including retirement requirements for members aged 55 and above.

Read Also: Accrued Interest VS Property Charge VS Property Pledge: What Are The Differences?

#7 Additional MediSave Contributions From Employers

Employers can also contribute up to $2,730 per employee per year under the Additional MediSave Contribution Scheme (AMCS). This sits outside the CPF Annual Limit and provides another route for employers to support employees’ healthcare savings.

Choose The Contribution Method That Fits Your Needs

The amount we can add to CPF depends on our mandatory contributions, age, existing savings and the method we choose. Someone who has reached the $37,740 Annual Limit may still have room for retirement or MediSave top-ups, or a voluntary housing refund.

Before contributing, check the available room and whether the payment qualifies for relief or matching grants. We should also keep enough cash for expenses we need to meet outside CPF, since money committed to a top-up cannot simply be taken back.