Singapore CPF Housing Usage Guide 2026 (OA Limits & Accrued Interest)

Complete guide to CPF housing usage. Explains Ordinary Account (OA) downpayment, Valuation Limit (VL), Withdrawal Limit (WL), & 2.5% accrued interest refunds.

Statutory Overview & Housing Framework

Under the Central Provident Fund Act (Cap. 36), Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can use savings from their CPF Ordinary Account (OA) to finance residential property purchases, pay down payments, settle Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), and service monthly mortgage installments. However, CPF housing usage is governed by strict statutory safeguards, including the Valuation Limit (VL) and Withdrawal Limit (WL - 120% of VL for bank loans). When a property is sold, the owner must refund all CPF principal withdrawn plus 2.5% per annum compound accrued interest back into their CPF OA to safeguard retirement savings.

Key Statutory Rules & Housing Criteria

CPF OA Downpayment & Stamp Duty AuthorizationOA Usage

Pay up to 20% downpayment for HDB loans or 20% for bank loans using CPF OA.

Valuation Limit (VL) & Withdrawal Limit (WL 120%) CapsVL & WL Caps

Limits maximum CPF OA usable for property; once WL is reached, remaining mortgage must be paid in cash.

2.5% Compound Accrued Interest Refund RequirementAccrued Interest

Interest that the CPF OA funds would have earned (2.5% p.a.) if left untouched in retirement account.

Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) Reservation Rules (Age 55+)BRS Reservation

Property owners aged 55+ can pledge property to withdraw CPF above BRS for cash usage.

Qualification Rules & Statutory Compliance

Applies to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents purchasing public HDB or private residential property.

Properties with remaining lease under 20 years cannot be financed using CPF OA funds.

If remaining lease does not cover the youngest buyer to age 95, CPF usage is pro-rated.

CPF refunds upon sale are capped at total net sale proceeds (no cash top-up needed if sold at market value).

Statutory Document Checklist & Forms

Central Provident Fund Act (Cap. 36) Housing Scheme Regulations

Singpass Credentials for CPF Mobile / Web Portal (cpf.gov.sg)

CPF Property Usage & Accrued Interest Statement

HDB / Bank Mortgage Loan Authorization Schedule

Step-by-Step Housing & Property Workflow

Check CPF Ordinary Account (OA) Balance via Singpass

Authorize CPF Withdrawal for Property Purchase

Submit online CPF property application via conveyancing lawyer or HDB Flat Portal.

Monitor Valuation Limit (VL) & Withdrawal Limit (WL)

Track total CPF OA drawn against property purchase price / valuation.

Compute 2.5% Accrued Interest via CPF Property Calculator

Calculate accumulated interest refund required upon property resale.

Refund CPF Funds Upon Property Sale

Conveyancing lawyer automatically deposits sale proceeds back to CPF OA upon completion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can use up to 100% of your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) balance to pay for the downpayment, stamp duties, and monthly mortgage installments for an HDB concessionary loan up to the purchase price or valuation limit.

CPF accrued interest is the 2.5% per annum compound interest you would have earned if your CPF OA funds had remained in your account instead of being used for property. When you sell your property, you must refund this accrued interest back into your CPF OA.

Valuation Limit (VL) is the lower of the purchase price or market valuation. Withdrawal Limit (WL) is 120% of VL. Once your total CPF usage reaches the WL, you must pay any remaining monthly bank loan installments in cash.

If your net sale proceeds (after paying off your outstanding bank/HDB loan) are less than the required CPF refund, you only need to refund the net sale proceeds. You do not need to top up the shortfall in cash, provided the property was sold at or above market value.

CPF cannot be used for properties with less than 20 years of remaining lease. For properties with 20 to 94 years remaining, CPF usage is pro-rated based on whether the lease covers the youngest buyer to at least age 95.

Yes. At age 55, CPF members who own a property with remaining lease covering them to age 95 can pledge their property and withdraw CPF savings above the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) instead of the Full Retirement Sum (FRS).