How much can I withdraw from my CPF when I turn 55?

CPF Withdrawal Eligibility at Age 55

When you turn 55, your Retirement Account (RA) is created, and the funds are arranged based on your existing balances. The RA is filled up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS), which is S$213,000 in 2025. Any excess in your Special Account (SA) above the FRS is transferred to your Ordinary Account (OA). Your SA is then closed.

Your ability to withdraw cash at 55 depends on the total balance in your RA and OA after these transfers:

• Withdrawal from Ordinary Account (OA): You can withdraw 100% of the money in your OA. (Source: CPF Board)

• Withdrawal from Retirement Account (RA): By default, RA savings are locked for monthly payouts starting at age 65. However, you can withdraw amounts above the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) if you pledge a property. The BRS in 2025 is S$106,500.
• Scenario 1 (Sufficient Funds): If your total RA balance (after topping up to FRS) is above the FRS (S$213,000), you can withdraw the excess amount above the BRS (S$106,500), subject to pledging property if necessary to meet the BRS requirement in cash/property pledge. (Source: CPF Board)
• Scenario 2 (Low Funds): If your RA balance is between the BRS and FRS, you generally cannot withdraw anything unless you pledge property to meet the BRS requirement.
• Scenario 3 (Very Low Funds): If your RA balance is less than the BRS, you can withdraw up to S$5,000.

Important Note: Withdrawals from the RA are permanent. Pledging property to withdraw above the BRS reduces your eventual CPF LIFE monthly payouts, as the pledged amount is not considered for payout calculations. Furthermore, interest earned on your RA (4% p.a.) cannot be withdrawn at 55. Withdrawals are only permitted from the principal balances accumulated up to that point, subject to the limits above.