CPF Withdrawal Limits for Property: Your Essential Guide
CPF withdrawal limits for property allow Singaporeans to use Ordinary Account (OA) savings for downpayments and monthly instalments on HDB flats, private properties, or executive condos, subject to strict rules based on property type, lease length, age, and loan type.
Homejourney prioritizes your financial safety by verifying these limits from official CPF Board sources, helping you avoid costly mistakes in your property journey.
This cluster guide dives deep into CPF OA housing limits, connecting to our pillar Complete Singapore CPF & Property Financing Guide. Use it for tactical steps on CPF withdrawal limits for property guide, CPF mortgage strategies, and when to choose CPF vs cash.
Understanding CPF Accounts for Property Purchases
CPF consists of Ordinary Account (OA), Special Account (SA), and from age 55, Retirement Account (RA). For property, only CPF OA housing funds are usable for downpayments and repayments.
SA and MediSave cannot be used directly for housing. From 2025, SA closes at 55, transferring to RA up to Full Retirement Sum (FRS) of S$213,000 for those turning 55.[2]
Key limit: You can withdraw all OA savings for approved property purchases, but must restore them (plus accrued interest) upon sale. This safeguards retirement funds while enabling homeownership.[1][7]
2025 CPF Retirement Sums Impacting Withdrawals
For 2025:
- Basic Retirement Sum (BRS): S$106,500 – minimum for basic needs if property pledged.[2]
- Full Retirement Sum (FRS): S$213,000 – standard set-aside at 55.[2]
- Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS): S$426,000 – max for higher payouts.[2]
Property owners can pledge their home (Singapore property with lease to age 95) to set aside only BRS, freeing excess OA/RA for withdrawal at 55.[1][3]
CPF Limits by Property Type: HDB vs Private
HDB Flats: Full OA usable for downpayment (after ABSD) and monthly CPF mortgage repayments. No lease decay penalty if under 95 years remaining at purchase.[7]
Private Properties/ECs: Limits apply based on remaining lease:
- Lease ≥95 years: Full OA usable.
- Lease 61-94 years: Pro-rated OA (e.g., 80% if 80 years left).
- Lease ≤60 years: Further restrictions; often cash required for short leases.[7]
Owners' ages matter: Average age used for pro-ration. Example: Two 35-year-olds buying condo with 80-year lease – full OA available since lease exceeds their ages +60.[7]
Homejourney tip: Use our property search to filter by lease length matching your CPF limits.
Using CPF for Downpayment and Monthly Repayments
Downpayment: Minimum 5-25% (HDB/bank loan rules). CPF OA covers after cash portion. Grant-eligible HDB buyers: Up to 100% CPF post-grants.[7]
Monthly Instalments (CPF Mortgage): OA prioritised; if depleted, cash needed. Post-55, apply to reserve OA for housing before RA transfer – but lowers retirement sum.[3]
Actionable step: Check eligibility via CPF portal. For use CPF for home loan, ensure OA balance covers 20-30 years of payments. Compare with cash via CPF vs Cash for Mortgage: Smarter Strategy in 2025 | Homejourney .
Real Example: HDB Upgrade in 2025
Singaporean couple, ages 40, S$800k 4-room HDB resale (80-year lease). Bank loan at 2.5% SORA-based rate. OA S$200k covers 20% down (S$160k) + first 5 years repayments.
Limit: Full OA usable. Insider tip: Factor TDSR (60% debt ratio) – Homejourney's mortgage calculator auto-checks this with Singpass.
Post-55 CPF Withdrawal Rules for Property Owners
At 55, OA/SA transfer to RA up to FRS (S$213k). Excess withdrawable (min S$5k).[5][6]
- Login to Retirement Dashboard for exact amount.[4]
- Pledge property (lease to 95): Set aside BRS only (S$106.5k).[2]
- Reserve OA for ongoing CPF mortgage: Apply pre-transfer.[3]
Daily limit: Up to S$50k online.[8] Homejourney integrates Singpass for instant CPF data verification – safer than manual checks.
CPF Repayment Strategy: OA vs Cash Mortgage
Pros of CPF OA: Earns 2.5% interest offset on loan; no opportunity cost if rates match.
Cons: Depletes retirement pot; must refund on sale. See CPF OA vs现金还房贷哪个更划算？Homejourney深度拆解 for 2025 comparison.
Smart strategy:
- Use CPF for high-interest loans (e.g., DBS/OCBC fixed >3%).
- Cash for low SORA (<2.5%) to preserve OA interest.
- Refinance via Homejourney: Compare DBS, UOCB, UOB, HSBC rates at bank-rates.
Pro tip: Track 3M SORA live on Homejourney – time CPF top-ups when rates dip.
Limitations and When to Seek Advice
CPF rules change (e.g., 2025 SA closure).[2] Always verify via cpf.gov.sg. Homejourney verifies data for trust – but consult advisors for personal cases. Disclaimer: Not financial advice; rates as of 2025.
Link to pillar: For full CPF financing, read our Complete Singapore CPF & Property Financing Guide.
FAQ: CPF Withdrawal Limits for Property
Q: What's the max CPF OA for HDB downpayment?
A: Full OA after cash minimum and grants; no cap if lease qualifies.[7]
Q: Can I use CPF for private property with 70-year lease?
A: Pro-rated (e.g., ~80-90% based on ages); calculate via CPF Board.[7]
Q: Post-55, can I still use CPF for mortgage?
A: Yes, reserve OA pre-transfer or use new contributions.[3]
Q: CPF vs cash mortgage – which for 2025 rates?
A: CPF if loan >2.5%; cash otherwise. Use Using CPF to Reduce Your Mortgage Burden in Singapore | Homejourney Guide .
Q: How to check my limits safely?
A: CPF portal + Homejourney calculator with Singpass for verified results.
Ready to apply? Compare rates from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and more on Homejourney bank-rates. Search trusted properties at property search. Homejourney: Your safe path to property ownership.
References
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 7 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 5 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 6 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 8 (2025)
