CPF OA-to-SA Transfer Calculator
Compare leaving CPF savings in your Ordinary Account (2.5%) against transferring them to your Special Account (4%), and see the extra interest you could earn over time. Available to members under 55 — the Special Account was closed for members aged 55 and above from early 2025.
Transfers count towards the Full Retirement Sum ($213,000); amounts above are capped.
How long before you reach 55 / start drawing down.
CPF OA floor rate is 2.5% p.a.
CPF SA floor rate is 4% p.a.
Extra interest from transferring to SA
$4,003
On $20,000 over 10 years (2.5% vs 4% p.a.)
If left in OA
$25,602
If moved to SA
$29,605
Difference
$4,003
This move is irreversible. Money transferred from OA to SA cannot be moved back, and SA savings can only be used for retirement (not housing, education or other OA uses). Make sure you will not need these funds before 55.
Estimates only. Assumes constant CPF floor rates (OA 2.5%, SA 4%) compounded annually and excludes extra interest on combined balances and any salary contributions. Verify against the official CPF Board figures.
| Year | OA balance | SA balance | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $0 |
| 1 | $20,500 | $20,800 | $300 |
| 2 | $21,013 | $21,632 | $620 |
| 3 | $21,538 | $22,497 | $959 |
| 4 | $22,076 | $23,397 | $1,321 |
| 5 | $22,628 | $24,333 | $1,705 |
| 6 | $23,194 | $25,306 | $2,113 |
| 7 | $23,774 | $26,319 | $2,545 |
| 8 | $24,368 | $27,371 | $3,003 |
| 9 | $24,977 | $28,466 | $3,489 |
| 10 | $25,602 | $29,605 | $4,003 |
The OA-to-SA transfer, explained
This applies to members under 55. From early 2025 the Special Account was closed for members aged 55 and above, so OA-to-SA transfers are only possible while you are still under 55.
Your CPF Ordinary Account earns 2.5% a year while your Special Account earns 4%. By moving savings you do not need for housing or other OA uses into the SA, you lock in an extra 1.5 percentage points of guaranteed interest that then compounds towards your Full Retirement Sum. Over a decade or more, that gap can add up to thousands of dollars in extra, risk-free interest.
Weigh it carefully — the move is permanent
The trade-off is liquidity. SA savings are reserved for retirement and an OA-to-SA transfer cannot be undone, so the money is no longer available for a property purchase, mortgage payments or your children's education. Transfers are also only allowed up to the Full Retirement Sum ($213,000 for the 2025 cohort). Use this calculator to size the benefit, then make sure you have kept enough in your OA for foreseeable needs before committing. For the related pre-55 strategy, see our CPF Shielding calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why transfer CPF OA savings to your Special Account?
The Special Account (SA) earns 4% a year while the Ordinary Account (OA) earns 2.5%. Moving idle OA savings into the SA captures that extra 1.5 percentage points of guaranteed, risk-free interest, compounding it towards your retirement sum for as long as the money stays invested. This applies to members under 55 — from early 2025 the Special Account was closed for members aged 55 and above, so OA-to-SA transfers are only available while you are still under 55.
Is an OA-to-SA transfer reversible?
No. Once you transfer money from your OA to your SA it cannot be moved back. SA savings are ring-fenced for retirement and can no longer be used for housing, education or other OA purposes. Only transfer money you are confident you will not need before 55.
How much can I transfer?
OA-to-SA transfers are allowed only up to the prevailing Full Retirement Sum (FRS), which is $213,000 for the cohort turning 55 in 2025. Once your SA reaches the FRS you can no longer top it up by transfer. This calculator caps the transfer amount at the FRS.
Does this calculator include CPF extra interest?
No — to keep the comparison clear it applies the base floor rates only (OA 2.5%, SA 4%) compounded annually. CPF also pays an extra 1% on your first $60,000 of combined balances (and 2% on the first $30,000 from age 55), which can make the SA advantage even larger. Treat the result as a conservative estimate.