CPF Withdrawal Limits for Property: What You Can Actually Use
CPF withdrawal limits for property purchases in Singapore determine exactly how much of your Ordinary Account (OA) and Retirement Account (RA) savings you can deploy toward downpayments and monthly mortgage repayments. For first-time HDB buyers under 55, you can withdraw up to 100% of the purchase price from your OA if the property lease extends beyond 20 years past age 55[1]. Private property buyers face stricter limits: you can use CPF OA up to 80% of the property's valuation or purchase price, whichever is lower, after meeting the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) requirement of 55% of gross income[1]. Understanding these limits is critical because exceeding them can delay your purchase, trigger penalties, or jeopardize your retirement security—which is why Homejourney prioritizes verification and transparency in every transaction.
In 2026, with the Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling rising to S$8,000, more of your monthly salary flows into your OA for housing purposes[2]. This article breaks down exact withdrawal limits by property type, age group, and scenario, then connects you to actionable tools on Homejourney's bank rates page to calculate your personal eligibility in seconds.
HDB Flat Purchases: Maximum CPF OA Withdrawal
HDB flats offer the most generous CPF withdrawal rules in Singapore's property market. For first-time buyers purchasing an HDB resale flat, you can withdraw up to 100% of the purchase price from your OA—provided your OA balance is sufficient and the property's remaining lease lasts at least 20 years beyond your 55th birthday[1][7]. This means a 35-year-old buying a Punggol HDB resale with a 70-year lease can theoretically use pure CPF for the entire purchase if their OA balance covers it.
For BTO (Build-to-Order) flats, the withdrawal limit applies to the 20-25% downpayment required by HDB, which you can fully cover with CPF OA without needing cash[1]. Monthly repayments to HDB are capped by the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) of 30% of your gross monthly income—meaning if you earn S$7,500, your HDB loan repayment cannot exceed S$2,250 monthly, whether paid via CPF or cash[1]. Homejourney's mortgage calculator instantly shows you this limit based on your income.
Insider tip: Check your property's remaining lease on the HDB or URA website before making an offer. A lease under 20 years at your age 55 disqualifies the property for full OA withdrawal, significantly limiting your buying power and resale value later.
Private Property Purchases: Lower CPF Limits and TDSR Rules
Private condominiums and executive condominiums follow stricter CPF withdrawal rules designed to protect borrowers from over-leveraging. You can use CPF OA for downpayments up to 80% of the property's valuation or purchase price, whichever is lower[1]. For a S$800,000 private condo with a bank valuation of S$750,000, your CPF OA limit is S$600,000 (80% of S$750,000), not S$640,000 (80% of purchase price).
Beyond the downpayment, your monthly CPF repayment capacity is governed by TDSR, which limits total monthly debt servicing (mortgage + car loans + credit cards + personal loans) to 55% of gross income[1]. If you earn S$10,000 monthly, your total debt servicing cannot exceed S$5,500—meaning a S$4,000 mortgage leaves only S$1,500 for other debts. This is stricter than HDB's 30% MSR and reflects banks' caution with private property loans.
Homejourney's bank rates page lets you input your income, existing debts, and property details to see your exact TDSR-compliant borrowing limit across DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and other major lenders in one comparison[1].
Age 55 and Beyond: RA Withdrawal and Property Pledging
At age 55, CPF withdrawal rules shift dramatically. You must set aside your Full Retirement Sum (FRS) of S$220,400 in your Retirement Account (RA)[1][2]. Any CPF OA balance above your RA requirement is automatically transferred to RA, and you can withdraw a minimum of S$5,000 from your OA immediately[3][4]. If you own a property with a lease extending to age 95 or beyond, you can pledge it to CPF and withdraw excess RA funds down to the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) of S$110,200, freeing up additional cash[3][7].
Real example: A 55-year-old with S$300,000 in RA and an HDB flat with a 40-year lease (to age 95) can pledge the property and withdraw S$189,800 (S$300,000 minus BRS of S$110,200), while retaining retirement security[3]. This is powerful for upgraders or those needing liquidity post-55.
The Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) caps at S$440,800 for members seeking higher CPF LIFE monthly payouts—but this is optional and reduces your withdrawal flexibility[2]. Homejourney's retirement planning tools help you model these scenarios before turning 55.
Daily and Monthly Withdrawal Caps: Practical Limits
Beyond property-specific limits, CPF imposes operational withdrawal caps. Your daily online withdrawal limit is S$50,000[1], meaning large downpayments must be planned across multiple days or submitted via bank instructions. For monthly mortgage repayments, there is no hard cap beyond your OA balance—but your bank and CPF will enforce MSR/TDSR limits, so you cannot pay more than your income permits anyway[1].
When purchasing property, most buyers submit a CPF withdrawal instruction to their bank 1-2 weeks before completion, allowing CPF Board time to process and transfer funds to the lawyer's client account. Homejourney's property search and bank rates tools guide you through this timeline to avoid delays at the final stage.
CPF vs Cash: The Opportunity Cost Decision
A critical decision every buyer faces: should I use CPF OA or cash for my downpayment and repayments? CPF OA earns a guaranteed 2.5% annual interest, while most savings accounts yield 0.5-1.5%[1]. Over a 30-year mortgage, this 1-2% interest differential compounds significantly. Using CPF OA instead of cash means your money continues earning 2.5% interest while you pay the mortgage at current SORA-linked rates (typically 3.5-4.5% in 2026)[1].
However, CPF withdrawals for property are refunded with accrued interest only upon loan completion or property sale—not monthly[1]. This means your S$100,000 CPF downpayment earns 2.5% annually, but you cannot access those earnings until you sell or fully repay the loan. If you need liquidity within 5-10 years, cash may be smarter despite the lower interest rate. Read CPF vs Cash for Mortgage: Which is Smarter? Homejourney for a detailed comparison with real examples.
Actionable Steps: Check Your CPF Limits Today
- Log into CPF Retirement Dashboard: Visit cpf.gov.sg and access your Retirement Dashboard to see your exact OA and RA balances, withdrawal simulator, and property-related withdrawal history[3][4].
- Verify property lease: Check the remaining lease on HDB.sg or URA.sg. Ensure the lease exceeds 20 years past your age 55 for full HDB OA withdrawal eligibility[1][7].
- Calculate your affordability: Use Homejourney's mortgage calculator on our bank rates page—input your income, CPF balance, property price, and existing debts to see your exact borrowing limit under MSR/TDSR[1].
- Compare bank offers: Visit Homejourney's bank rates page to view current SORA rates from DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and more. Rates vary by 0.2-0.5%, which translates to thousands in savings over 30 years[1].
- Apply via Singpass: Submit your loan application through Homejourney using Singpass/MyInfo to auto-fill income, employment, and CPF data. Receive offers from multiple banks in 2-3 business days[1].
- Monitor CPF accrual: Your OA grows by S$400-800 monthly (depending on salary). Prioritize CPF repayments over cash when possible to maximize the 2.5% interest benefit[1].
Common Misconceptions About CPF Withdrawal Limits
Myth 1: "I can use my RA for property downpayments before 55." False. Before age 55, your RA is locked and inaccessible. Only OA can be used for property[1]. At 55+, you can pledge your property and withdraw excess RA, but this is a different mechanism.
Myth 2: "Using CPF for my mortgage means I lose the money forever." False. When you sell the property or fully repay the loan, your CPF contributions and accrued interest are refunded to your CPF account, not lost[1]. This is a key advantage over cash downpayments.
Myth 3: "I can withdraw unlimited CPF monthly for my mortgage repayment." False. Your monthly repayment is capped by MSR (HDB, 30% of income) or TDSR (banks, 55% of income)[1]. Even if your OA has S$500,000, you cannot pay S$10,000 monthly if your income only permits S$3,000 under MSR.
FAQ: CPF Withdrawal Limits for Property
Q: What is the CPF withdrawal limit for first-time HDB buyers?
A: Up to 100% of the purchase price from OA if your OA balance is sufficient and the property lease extends 20+ years beyond your 55th birthday[1][7]. For example, a 40-year-old buying a Punggol HDB with a 75-year lease can use full CPF if their OA covers the price.
Q: Can I use CPF OA for private property monthly repayments?
A: Yes, you can use CPF OA for monthly mortgage repayments on private property, but the amount is limited by TDSR (55% of gross income)[1]. If you earn S$8,000 monthly, your total debt servicing (mortgage + other loans) cannot exceed S$4,400.
Q: What happens to my CPF when I sell my property?
A: Your CPF contributions and accrued 2.5% interest are refunded to your OA/RA after the property is sold and the mortgage is fully repaid[1]. This refund can take 4-6 weeks to process via your bank.
Q: Can I withdraw CPF at age 55 if I own a property?
A: Yes. You must set aside FRS (S$220,400) in RA[1]. If your property lease extends to age 95+, you can pledge it and withdraw excess RA down to BRS (S$110,200), freeing up additional funds[3][7]. Minimum withdrawal from OA is S$5,000[3].
Q: Where can I compare CPF-integrated mortgage rates?
A: Homejourney's bank rates page displays current rates from DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and other major lenders, all integrated with CPF withdrawal and repayment calculations[1]. Use our mortgage calculator to see your exact eligibility.
Your Next Steps: Optimize Your CPF for Property
CPF withdrawal limits are not one-size-fits-all—they depend on your age, property type, lease duration, income, and existing debts. Homejourney's commitment to user safety means we verify these limits for you, ensuring you never over-commit or miss opportunities.
Start by checking your CPF Retirement Dashboard balance and your target property's lease. Then visit Homejourney's bank rates page to calculate your exact borrowing power under 2026 MSR/TDSR rules and compare offers from Singapore's top lenders in one place. Apply via Singpass for instant verification and multi-bank offers in days, not weeks.
For deeper insights on optimizing CPF versus cash strategy, explore CPF OA vs Cash for Property: Which is Smarter? Homejourney Guide and 用CPF优化房贷的5个策略：Homejourney房产买家指南 to see how other buyers maximized their CPF benefit. Then search for properties within your budget on Homejourney's property search tool.
Ready to apply? Visit Bank Rates today to compare rates, calculate eligibility, and submit your loan application with confidence.
